Judges 16:4-5,Judges 16:15-21

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Judges 16:4-17

The burnt child dreads the fire; yet Samson, that has more than the strength of a man, in this comes short of the wisdom of a child; for, though he had been more than once brought into the highest degree of mischief and danger by the love of women and lusting after them, yet he would not take warning, but is here again taken in the same snare, and this third time pays for all. Solomon seems to refer especially to this story of Samson when, in his caution against uncleanness, he gives this... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 16:4

And it came to pass afterwards, that he loved a woman in the valley of Sorek ,.... Which, according to Adrichomius F25 Ut supra, (Theatrum Terra Sanct.) p. 24. was but half a mile from the brook Eshcol, from whence the spies brought a bunch of grapes, as a specimen of the fruit of the land of Canaan; and this valley of Sorek seems to have been famous for the best wine, and hither Samson retired for refreshment and pleasure; but, according to Jerom F26 De loc. Heb. fol. 94. L. ,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 16:5

And the lords of the Philistines came up unto her ,.... Having heard that Samson kept company with her, she being a noted strumpet, like Lais among the Grecians. These were in number five, as appears from Judges 3:3 and had under them five principalities, into which Palestine was divided; and these, if not united in their government, which possibly might be the case at this time, yet were united against their common enemy Samson; and being great personages, it is thought by some they came... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 16:4

He loved a woman in the valley of Sorek - Some think Samson took this woman for his wife; others, that he had her as a concubine. It appears she was a Philistine; and however strong his love was for her, she seems to have had none for him. He always matched improperly, and he was cursed in all his matches. Where the valley or brook of Sorek was, is not easy to be ascertained. Eusebius and Jerome say it lay southward of Eleutheropolis; but where was Eleutheropolis? Ancient... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 16:5

See wherein his great strength lieth - They saw that his stature was not remarkable: and that, nevertheless, he had most extraordinary strength; therefore they supposed that it was the effect of some charm or amulet. The lords of the Philistines were the five following: Gaza, Gath, Askelon, Ekron, and Ashdod. All these considered Samson as a public enemy; and they promised this bad woman a large sum of money if she would obtain from him the important secret wherein his strength... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Judges 16:4

A village to the north of Eleutheropolis, called Caphar-Sotek, was still existing in the time of Eusebius, near Zorah. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Judges 16:5

And the lords of the Philistines - See Judges 3:3 note.His great strength lieth - Rather, “wherein his strength is great.”Eleven hundred pieces of silver - The greatness of the bribe offered to Delilah, 5,500 shekels of silver, nearly two talents (Exodus 38:24, note), shows the importance attached to Samson’s capture. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Judges 16:4

Judges 16:4. He loved a woman in the valley of Sorek Through which passed the river of the same name. This place, famous for its vines, was about a mile and a half from Eshcol, whence the spies brought their bunch of grapes. Here Samson met with Delilah, who, whether she was a Jewess or a Philistine, was probably a harlot, and not, as Chrysostom and some others have asserted, a woman of reputation married by Samson; because the dreadful punishment now inflicted upon him for his intercourse... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Judges 16:5

Judges 16:5. The lords of the Philistines came unto her The lords of their five principal cities, which were leagued together against him as their common enemy. See wherein his great strength lieth They probably imagined that Samson attained his great strength by the use of some magic art; that we may bind him to afflict him To chastise him for his injuries to us. They meant to punish him severely, but they expressed it in mild words, lest it might move her to pity him. Every one... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Judges 16:1-31

Samson’s exploits (14:1-16:31)So dominant were the Philistines in Israel, that the Israelites had decided to live with them peacefully rather than try to rise up in armed rebellion. Samson had other ideas. He thought that his marriage to a Philistine woman would give him the opportunity to do some harm to the enemy (14:1-4).In spite of Samson’s desire to help Israel, he had little respect for either his Nazirite vow or the Israelite law. He handled a dead lion, married a Philistine woman and... read more