Judges 15:1-20
15:1 Samson returns to his wife and asks for permission to see her. Her father refuses.
15:2 The woman's father panics, he knows that he gave Samson's wife to another man. In attempt to rectify the situation, he offers Samson his younger daughter.
15:3 Samson's fury increases again, and this time he proclaims himself blameless for this actions against the Philistines. The truth is that Samson has made a mess of his own life... but God's will is being fulfilled anymore. That's a strong lesson for us: whether or not we participate, God and those on His team, will preserve.
15:4-5 Using foxes, Samson burns up the Philistine's livelihood, their grain, vineyards and groves. Samson's story is not typically how God defeats the children of Israel's oppressors. Usually they are defeated in battle or by famine or pestilence. What is interesting about this particular account, is noticing how specifically our own actions can confirm with God's will. Unfortunately for Samson, he is not utilizing his faith for growth. Samson is destroying himself as well as the Philistines. It does not have to be that way.
15:6 When the Philistines find their livelihood ruined, they inquire as to the culprit. Samson is identified. In response, they burn Samson's wife and father. Bit by bit, we see Samson's life come apart - but only because he never turns to God to solve the equation of his strife and desire.
15:7-8 In response to the heinous act against his wife, Samson brutally attacks the Philistines. As Samson's life comes apart bit by bit, God's plan comes into fulfillment bit by bit. The Philistines become smaller and weaker by the God-strengthened hand of Samson. God does not allow Samson to destroy the Philistine on Samson's behalf. God allows the Philistines to be destroyed because of their evil action.
15:9-11 Samson has made his personal conflict with the Philistines public. He has dragged the children of Israel, as the tribe of Judah explains, into the battle with him. Samson has agitated their oppressors and they confront him about it; they do not want their lives to get even worse because of Samson's actions.
Samson's only response is a selfish one: he reacted against what happened to him. Without considering the repercussions for others' lives. Blessedly for them, God is looking out for the children of Israel even though they are not necessarily looking for or consulting with Him.
15:12 The tribe of Judah explains that they must hand him over to the Philistines to protect themselves. Samson accepts this but requests that they not kill him before turning him in.
15:13 The tribe of Judah tells Samson that they will not kill him but will surely deliver him to his enemy. They tie Samson's arms with two strong ropes.
15:14-17 When Samson is brought into Lehi, the Philistines immediately attack him. But God, carrying out His plan, strengthens Samson. Samson is unable to break the ropes from off of his arm; he reaches for the jawbone of a donkey lying nearby and kills one thousand men with it.
God is not seeking vengeance for any wrong done to Samson; God's will just happens to align with Samson's killing of the Philistines. Samson is a very unhappy man because he neglects to nurture his faith and instead seeks to satisfy his desire for vengeance and lust.
15:18 Samson becomes extremely thirsty... he thinks he will even die from it, in enemy land. Yet Samson does not make the connection. He is in enemy land... and the victor... but deprived of basic nutrient. This is because Samson does not have the Living Water in his life. Samson has not welcomed God to be his source of life. Samson remains discontented and deprived of joy and comfort because his faith is not nurtured.
15:19 God remains with Samson, even though he is deeply flawed. That is most excellent news for us! We learn of God's compassionate heart. God will continue to try to align us with joy, even though our weaknesses cause us to resist.
15:20 Samson becomes judge over the children of Israel for twenty years.
