In ancient times, God forbade the Israelites from marrying gentiles so that their hearts are not drawn to strange gods. In fact, this law was so much held such that when Balaam gave a wicked advice to the king Balak that led to sexual immorality among the Israelites and the Moabites women, God sent a plague to destroy the Israelites (Numbers 31). The previous posts introduced us to the miracle of Samson’s birth and the prophecy given about him. As a Nazirite, the expectation was that he does not defile himself with anything abominable to God. Samson had strange cravings for women. His taste for women extended beyond Israel to the Philistines, the people who were subduing the Israelites. Judges 14:1-3 records that “Samson went down to Timnah and saw there a young Philistine woman. When he returned, he said to his father and mother, “I have seen a Philistine woman in Timnah; now get her for me as my wife.” His father and mother replied, “Isn’t there an acceptable woman among your relatives or among all our people? Must you go to the uncircumcised Philistines to get a wife?” But Samson said to his father, “Get her for me. She’s the right one for me.” Samson wanted the woman and his parents couldn’t convince him otherwise. However, “his parents did not know that this was from the Lord, who was seeking an occasion to confront the Philistines; for at that time they were ruling over Israel” (Judges 14:4).
Then Samson’s wife threw herself on him, sobbing, “You hate me! You don’t really love me. You’ve given my people a riddle, but you haven’t told me the answer.” “I haven’t even explained it to my father or mother,” he replied, “so why should I explain it to you?” (Judges 14:16)
Samson’s wife had no clue that her marriage was a facade. Beneath the love she thought she was shown was a bigger picture, the ultimate plan to avenge the Philistines for their treatment of the Israelites. On her wedding day her new husband gave a riddle: “Let me tell you a riddle,” Samson said to them. “If you can give me the answer within the seven days of the feast, I will give you thirty linen garments and thirty sets of clothes. If you can’t tell me the answer, you must give me thirty linen garments and thirty sets of clothes.” “Tell us your riddle,” they said. “Let’s hear it.” (Judges 14:12-13). Ultimately, no one knew the answer to the riddle and to avoid giving thirty garments to Samson, the Philistines threatened his wife. On the fourth day, they said to Samson’s wife, “Coax your husband into explaining the riddle for us, or we will burn you and your father’s household to death. Did you invite us here to steal our property?” (Judges 14:15). The new wife was desperate and in her desperation, she “threw herself on him, sobbing, “You hate me! You don’t really love me. You’ve given my people a riddle, but you haven’t told me the answer.” “I haven’t even explained it to my father or mother,” he replied, “so why should I explain it to you?” She cried the whole seven days of the feast. So on the seventh day he finally told her, because she continued to press him. She in turn explained the riddle to her people.” (Judges 14:16-17). She might have been relieved but little did she know that whether she knew the answer to the riddle and or not, she was doomed. She wasn’t going to have Samson and to hold him. Her marriage was a bridge to attack her people and she would perish through it.
Samson attacked the Philistines and killed 30 men to pay for the garments. Afterall, his wife gave him out. Out of anger, Samson returned to his father’s home and his wife was given to one of his companions who had attended him at the feast. Later when Samson returned to see his wife, the whole drama started. Out of anger Samson destroyed the farms of the Philistines. The Philistines in return burnt Samson’s wife and her father. All hell broke loose and at the end of the whole drama, Samson single handedly killed a thousand Philistines men. The marriage was just a stepping stone to the destruction of the Philistines. Samson’s wife had no idea. She entered into the marriage with delight, she was excited about getting married to the strongest man of her day. What she didn’t know is that, the day she signed her marriage certificate, she also signed a death warrant. Her marriage to Samson did not even last a month and she and her whole family became victims. She wanted to love and hold on to Samson but she actually loved and perished.
Marriage is beautiful but a wedlock with the wrong partner is like a death sentence. Each day is a step closer to the grave. Before you say “I do”, take a closer look, ask God and don’t overlook the little things. To have and to hold, is not a death sentence!
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