Samson is portrayed in artwork as a long-haired muscle-bound lady-killer Hercules. Most people assume the secret of his strength was the length of his locks, the brawn of his biceps, or the veracity of his vow. But the Bible tells us that the secret of Samson’s strength wasn’t in his physical appearance or his Nazirite promise, but in the power of the Lord.

I. The Secret of Samson’s Wandering (Judg 14:05). Samson wandered from his parents as they went to gather his bride. They were responsible for making marriage arrangements in the ancient world. He’d earlier wandered from their wise counsel (Judg 14:3).
Samson was bent on following his own path in life, a man who believed freedom was departure from responsibility. Freedom isn’t the right to do as one feels or chooses, but to obey and follow after God rather than be enslaved to the demands and lusts of the sin nature (Jn 8:31-36; Rom 6:20; Gal 5:1, 13; Eph 2:1-3; Jas 1:14). Out of a misconception of freedom, Samson sinned by once more going into the vineyards of Timnah, breaking his vow to avoid grapes (Num 6:1-4).

II. The Secret of Samson’s Strength (Judg 14:6). In the vineyard, a lion attacked Samson, and he killed it by ripping it apart. This incredible gift of strength happened as the Holy Spirit came mightily (rushed or penetrated powerfully) upon him. The phrase indicates a sudden and unexpected act. In the moment of need, according to God’s will, the Spirit empowered Samson.
Scripture tells of not to despise the day of small things (Zech 4:10) and faithfulness in small things is a prelude to faithfulness in larger things (Lk 16:10). Killing the lion illustrated what God could and would do by Samson to the Philistines. David said his killing of bears and lions as a shepherd was evidence he could kill a giant (1 Sam 17:34-37). God often uses small events and victories as a test for greater victories.

III. The Secret of Samson’s Sin (Judge 14:6-9). Samson had two secrets: he didn’t tell his parents of his trip to the vineyard or killing the lion. His secrets hid the truth of his sins.
Back with his parents, Samson finally and eagerly spoke to the Canaanite woman he’d earlier seen (Judg 14:1). We don’t know what she thought of him, but she pleased Samson well, literally, she was right in Samson’s eyes, a sinful refrain from the era of the Judges (Judg 17:6; 21:25). The savior was bent on doing what pleased and seemed right to him (Prov 14:12).
After a time he returned to Timnah from his home in Mahaneh Dan. Along the way, he passed through the forbidden vineyards and purposely stopped to examine the carcass of the lion, another violation of his Nazirite vow (Num 6:6). He’d returned to take pride in his earlier victory (1 Jn 2:16).
A sign of God’s providence, the carcass wasn’t infested with maggots, covered by flies, eaten by wild animals, or decomposed. Instead a swarm (lit, community) of honey bees filled the body cavity with honey. He took the honey, the word suggests extreme effort to collect his forbidden prize.
Like Eve in Genesis 3:6, the writer of the Judges tells us Samson turned to see the carcass (Judg 14:8), took some of the honey (Judg 14:9), and ate it (Judg 14:9) before sharing it with his parents! He knew they would be displeased with him, and secretly dragged them into his sin. "His parents had sanctified him, but now he desecrates them" (Daniel Block, New American Commentary: Judges and Ruth, p 430). Samson once again proved having no honor for his parents, no value vested his vow, and no respect for the God of his vow.
This test became a trap and Samson fell short of both his high calling and vow (Phil 3:14-15).