Judges 14:11-15

Judges 14:11

And it came to pass, when they saw him, that they brought thirty companions to be with him.

 

When Samson had come to consummate the wedding, there also came thirty companions to be with him.  These were Philistines and not Israelites.  Were they there to celebrate his marriage or were they there to spy on him to see if he had any ulterior motives?  These thirty were her friends along with her parents.

 

Judges 14:12

And Samson said unto them, I will now put forth a riddle unto you: if ye can certainly declare it me within the seven days of the feast, and find it out, then I will give you thirty sheets and thirty change of garments:

 

In the Middle East, the Hebrews as well as all of the oriental people showed a fondness for riddles and it was especially fashionable to partake of them at meals.  Even if there was royalty present at the feast, they would partake in the riddles.  The word “riddle” in this verse may also be understood as “hard question, proverb, or dark saying.”  Samson makes it worth their while if they can guess correctly the solution of the riddle which he is going to put forth.  The sheets were fine linen.

 

Judges 14:13

But if ye cannot declare it me, then shall ye give me thirty sheets and thirty change of garments. And they said unto him, Put forth thy riddle, that we may hear it.

 

He then declares to them that if they cannot figure out the riddle, then they would have to give him thirty sheets and thirty changes of garments.  They were willing to take the challenge so they told him to tell them the riddle.

 

Judges 14:14

And he said unto them, Out of the eater came forth meat, and out of the strong came forth sweetness. And they could not in three days expound the riddle.

 

This would have been a riddle which would stump them greatly.  A lion’s carcase would not yield any food for human consumption but in this case the honey that the bees made would be the food and the sweetness would be the taste of that honey.  So Samson had them stumped for three days which means the wedding feast was still going on.  Some of the feasts lasted a period of fourteen days.

 

Judges 14:15

And it came to pass on the seventh day, that they said unto Samson's wife, Entice thy husband, that he may declare unto us the riddle, lest we burn thee and thy father's house with fire: have ye called us to take that we have? is it not so?

 

Four more days have passed and it seems now instead of enjoyment with the riddle, they were now fuming at the riddle because no one could solve it.  So the Philistines came to Samson’s wife and told her to entice him to give them the solution to the riddle.  The word “entice” may also be understood as “allure, deceive, or flatter.”  They were so incensed that they threatened not only to burn her house down but also the house of her father.  They literally accused Samson’s wife of calling them to the wedding feast for the purpose of taking the possessions that they had.  Then they ask her a confirming question, that isn’t it so that basically you have desired to make us beggars?

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