Samson’s Strange Ways

When we next encounter Samson, he has reached or is close to manhood. But it soon becomes apparent that he is not mature in wisdom or devotion to God.

Several times in the next three chapters of Judges we will witness Samson “going down” to Philistia. Three of these journeys lead to entanglements with women. The first instance of both occurs here. Samson, we are told, goes to the city of Timnah, where he spots and becomes infatuated with a Philistine woman. “It does not appear that he had any reason to think her wise or virtuous, or in any way likely to be a help-meet for him; but he saw something in her face that was very agreeable to his fancy,” Matthew Henry writes. Samson shows possible submission to his parents and at least bows to custom by asking Manoah and his wife to arrange a marriage. But he is hardly submissive to God here. Though his Nazirite status does not prevent him from marrying, the Philistines are among those pagan peoples with whom the Israelites are not to intermarry lest they become susceptible to idolatry (Deut. 7:3). This, therefore, is a most inappropriate decision for one in Samson’s position. “Shall one that is not only an Israelites but a Nazirite, devoted to the Lord, covet to become one with a worshiper of Dagon?” Henry asks. “Shall one marked for a patriot of his country match among those that are its sworn enemies?” The answer clearly is a resounding no.

Samson’s godly parents attempt to dissuade him from this course, but he will not be deterred. What they do not know is that God is working mysteriously behind his actions, setting off a chain of events that will lead to the first stirrings of Israelite resistance to the Philistine oppression. God uses Samson’s sinful intent for His own purposes. As the Westminster Confession of Faith declares, “The almighty power, unsearchable wisdom, and infinite goodness of God, so far manifest themselves in His providence that it extendeth itself even to the first fall, and all other sins of angels and men … ordering and governing of them … to His own holy ends” (V, 4). And yet, we must note that though Samson wrongfully desires this woman and actually marries her (Judg. 15:1), he and she never live together as husband and wife. The providence of God never allows that to happen.