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Judges 15

20 verses

TL;DR

Samson battles the Philistines and the men of Judah, using divine strength to strike back, eventually being freed by the Spirit of the Lord and becoming judge for twenty years.

Summary

Samson’s marriage conflict sparks violence when his father-in-law refuses to allow him to return to his wife. He retaliates against the Philistines by burning their crops, leading to retaliation that burns his wife and father-in-law. In response, Samson avenges himself by attacking the Philistines. Later, Judah confronts Samson and captures him, binding him with cords. While being carried to Lehi, the Spirit of the Lord strengthens Samson, breaking the cords and enabling him to kill a thousand men with a jawbone of an ass. He names the place Ramathlehi, and after drinking water from a hollow in the jawbone, his spirit is restored. Samson then judges Israel for twenty years during the Philistine oppression.

Outline
  1. Samson’s marital conflict and attack on the Philistines during the wheat harvest.
  2. Judah’s capture of Samson and his miraculous escape through divine intervention.
  3. Samson’s jawbone slaughter, water miracle, and subsequent judgeship.
Themes
Vengeance and retaliationDivine empowerment and interventionJudgment and leadership
Keywords
SamsonjawboneVengeanceDivine StrengthJudahPhilistinesEtamRamathlehiEnhakkore
People
Samsonhis wifeher fatherthe Philistinesthe men of Judahthe LORDthe Spirit of the LORD
Places
EtamJudahLehiRamathlehiEnhakkore
Things
foxesfirebrandscornvineyardsolivesjawbone of an asscordswater from the jawbone
Key Verses
  • Judges 15:15: Illustrates the miraculous power of the Spirit of the Lord breaking Samson’s bonds and enabling his victory.
Questions
  • How does Samson’s use of violence reflect the cultural context of the Judges period?
  • What does the jawbone represent in terms of resourcefulness and divine providence?
  • In what ways does the Spirit of the Lord’s intervention alter the outcome of Samson’s captivity?
  • How does Samson’s eventual role as judge align with or contradict his earlier actions?
  • What lessons about trust and reliance on God can be drawn from Samson’s encounters?
Sentiment

mixed
The chapter contains violent conflict but also moments of divine deliverance, leading to a complex emotional tone.