Judges 14:4

KJV

But his father and his mother knew not that it [was] of the LORD, that he sought an occasion against the Philistines: for at that time the Philistines had dominion over Israel.

KJV (with Strong's)

But his father {H1} and his mother {H517} knew {H3045} not that it was of the LORD {H3068}, that he sought {H1245} an occasion {H8385} against the Philistines {H6430}: for at that time {H6256} the Philistines {H6430} had dominion {H4910} over Israel {H3478}.

Complete Jewish Bible

His father and mother didn't know that all this came from ADONAI, who was seeking grounds for a quarrel with the P'lishtim. (At that time the P'lishtim were ruling Isra'el.)

Berean Standard Bible

(Now his father and mother did not know this was from the LORD, who was seeking an occasion to move against the Philistines; for at that time the Philistines were ruling over Israel.)

American Standard Version

But his father and his mother knew not that it was of Jehovah; for he sought an occasion against the Philistines. Now at that time the Philistines had rule over Israel.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Judges 14:4 offers a profound theological insight into the seemingly impulsive actions of Samson, revealing that his desire to marry a Philistine woman from Timnath, though perplexing to his parents, was providentially orchestrated by the LORD. This verse underscores God's hidden hand in human affairs, demonstrating how He can utilize even unconventional and humanly flawed choices as catalysts to advance His sovereign plan, specifically to initiate conflict with the Philistines who were oppressing Israel at that time.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Judges 14:4 immediately follows Samson's declaration to his parents that he has seen a woman in Timnath he desires to marry, prompting their strong disapproval due to her Philistine origin. This verse serves as a crucial interpretive key, shifting the reader's perspective from Samson's seemingly carnal motivations to God's overarching purpose. It connects directly to the angelic prophecy in [Judges 13:5](/judges/13-5 "Judges 13:5 - Angelic Prophecy of Samson's Deliverance"), which stated that Samson would "begin to deliver Israel out of the hand of the Philistines." The narrative arc of [Judges 13-16](/judges/13 "Judges 13 - Samson's Birth Announced") portrays Samson's life as a series of personal struggles and divine interventions, with this verse providing the theological framework for understanding the often-ambiguous nature of his actions. It sets the stage for the subsequent confrontations with the Philistines, which are initiated through Samson's personal grievances rather than a direct military campaign.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The period of the Judges (roughly 1200-1000 BC) was characterized by a cyclical pattern of Israelite apostasy, divine judgment in the form of foreign oppression, cries for help, and God raising up a judge to deliver them. At this specific juncture, [Judges 13:1](/judges/13-1 "Judges 13:1 - Philistine Oppression Begins") notes that the Philistines had held "dominion over Israel for forty years." The Philistines were a powerful, technologically superior people (possessing iron weaponry, unlike Israel) who occupied the fertile coastal plain, often clashing with Israelite tribes in the Shephelah region, where Timnath was located. Intermarriage with foreign peoples was strictly forbidden by Mosaic Law (e.g., [Deuteronomy 7:3-4](/deuteronomy/7-3 "Deuteronomy 7:3-4 - Prohibition of Intermarriage")), making Samson's request culturally and religiously scandalous to his devout Nazirite parents. This prohibition aimed to prevent idolatry and maintain Israel's distinct identity as God's covenant people.

* **Key Themes:** The most prominent theme in [Judges 14:4](/judges/14-4 "Judges 14:4 - God's Sovereign Purpose for Samson") is **Divine Sovereignty and Providence**. Even when human actors, like Samson, appear driven by personal desires or make questionable choices, God remains in control, weaving these actions into His larger redemptive plan. The phrase "it was of the LORD" is a powerful declaration of God's hidden hand, demonstrating His ability to use unconventional means and imperfect instruments to achieve His purposes. This resonates with the broader biblical truth that God works all things together for good for those who love Him ([Romans 8:28](/romans/8-28 "Romans 8:28 - God Works All Things for Good")). Another key theme is **God Uses Imperfect Instruments**. Samson, despite being chosen and empowered by God, was deeply flawed, often succumbing to carnal impulses. This verse highlights that God's power and effectiveness are not contingent on human perfection but rather on His own sovereign will and ability to work through anyone He chooses, demonstrating His glory through human weakness. Finally, the verse introduces the theme of **The Beginning of Deliverance**, as Samson's personal conflict with the Philistines, sparked by this marriage, becomes the divinely ordained catalyst for Israel's liberation from their long oppression.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **knew not (Hebrew, _lo' yādəʿû_):** This phrase signifies a lack of understanding or awareness on the part of Samson's parents. They perceived his desire for a Philistine wife as a purely personal, and problematic, choice, failing to grasp the deeper, divine intention behind it. Their human perspective was limited, unable to discern God's sovereign orchestration in the unfolding events. This highlights a common human experience of not fully comprehending God's ways, which are often higher than our own ([Isaiah 55:8-9](/isaiah/55-8 "Isaiah 55:8-9 - God's Thoughts are Higher")).
* **of the LORD (Hebrew, מֵיְהוָה, _mêyhwh_):** This is a crucial theological declaration. It is an idiom indicating divine origin, initiation, or purpose. It means that Samson's seemingly carnal desire was not merely a human whim but was supernaturally prompted or directed by God. This does not necessarily absolve Samson of moral responsibility for his choices, but it profoundly asserts God's active, sovereign involvement in shaping circumstances to achieve His redemptive plan for Israel. It emphasizes God's ability to work through human actions, even those that appear misguided or contrary to conventional wisdom.
* **sought an occasion (Hebrew, מְבַקֵּשׁ תֹּאֲנָה, _m'vaqqēš tōʾănâ_):** The Hebrew word _tōʾănâ_ refers to a pretext, an opportunity, or a cause for quarrel. Samson was actively looking for a reason or a starting point to engage with the Philistines. The verse reveals that this "seeking" was not accidental or purely self-generated, but rather divinely inspired. God was using Samson's personal desire as the "occasion" or "pretext" to instigate the necessary conflict that would lead to Israel's deliverance from Philistine oppression.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But his father and his mother knew not":** This clause immediately establishes a contrast between human perception and divine reality. Manoah and his wife, devout Israelites, were understandably distressed by Samson's choice, viewing it through the lens of Mosaic Law and cultural norms. Their knowledge was limited to the immediate, human-level implications of the proposed marriage.
* **"that it [was] of the LORD":** This is the theological lynchpin of the verse. It reveals God's unseen hand at work. The seemingly problematic request for a Philistine wife was, in fact, divinely purposed. This phrase signifies that the impetus for Samson's action originated from God, serving His larger redemptive plan for Israel.
* **"that he sought an occasion against the Philistines":** This explains the specific divine purpose. Samson's desire for the woman was not an end in itself, but a means to an end. God intended for this situation to create a "pretext" or "opportunity" for Samson to engage in conflict with the Philistines, thereby initiating the process of their downfall and Israel's liberation.
* **"for at that time the Philistines had dominion over Israel":** This final clause provides the crucial historical and political context that explains *why* God was orchestrating these events. Israel was under severe oppression, and God was moving to fulfill His covenant promises to deliver His people, using Samson as His chosen, albeit flawed, instrument.

#### Literary Devices
Judges 14:4 masterfully employs **Dramatic Irony**, where the reader is privy to information that the characters (Samson's parents) are not. The parents are bewildered and disapproving, while the narrator reveals God's overarching purpose, creating tension and highlighting the disparity between human understanding and divine wisdom. This irony underscores the theme of **Divine Providence**, presenting God as the ultimate orchestrator behind seemingly random or even misguided human actions. The verse also functions as **Foreshadowing**, signaling that Samson's personal romantic pursuits will inevitably lead to confrontations with the Philistines, setting the stage for the dramatic events of his judgeship and the eventual beginning of Israel's deliverance. The narrative technique of revealing God's hidden hand also exemplifies **Divine Commentary**, where the narrator steps in to provide the authoritative theological interpretation of events, guiding the reader's understanding.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Judges 14:4 is a powerful testament to the absolute sovereignty of God, demonstrating that His purposes are not thwarted by human imperfection or even apparent disobedience. It reveals a God who can weave together the seemingly disparate threads of human choice, cultural conflict, and personal desire into the tapestry of His grand redemptive plan. This verse does not condone Samson's choices if they were sinful, but rather highlights God's ability to work *through* them, showcasing His wisdom and power in transforming human actions into instruments for His divine will. It reassures believers that God is always at work, even when His methods are mysterious or His plan is not immediately discernible, calling for profound trust in His overarching providence.

* [Genesis 50:20](/genesis/50-20 "Genesis 50:20 - Joseph's Declaration of God's Redemptive Purpose")
* [Proverbs 16:9](/proverbs/16-9 "Proverbs 16:9 - The Lord Directs Our Steps")
* [Romans 8:28](/romans/8-28 "Romans 8:28 - God Works All Things for Good")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Judges 14:4 offers profound comfort and challenge for believers today. It reminds us that God's sovereign hand is at work in all circumstances, even those that appear chaotic, counter-intuitive, or even born of human folly. We are often like Samson's parents, seeing only the immediate, human-level implications of events and struggling to understand "why." This verse calls us to cultivate a deeper trust in God's providence, recognizing that He can use any situation, any person, and even our own flawed choices, to advance His good and perfect will. It liberates us from the burden of needing to be perfect for God to use us, while simultaneously challenging us to align our desires with His known will, knowing that He can still accomplish His purposes despite our imperfections. It encourages us to look beyond surface appearances and seek God's deeper purposes in the unfolding narrative of our lives and the world.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life do you struggle to see God's hand at work, feeling like Samson's parents?**
* **How does the truth of God's sovereignty, as revealed in this verse, impact your understanding of personal responsibility and divine purpose?**
* **What comfort or challenge do you find in the idea that God uses imperfect instruments, like Samson, to accomplish His will?**

### FAQ

**Does this verse excuse Samson's potentially sinful choices, implying God caused him to sin?**

Answer: No, this verse does not excuse Samson's choices or imply that God directly caused him to sin. The phrase "it was of the LORD" (מֵיְהוָה, _mêyhwh_) signifies divine initiative or purpose, meaning God ordained that this situation would serve as the catalyst for His plan of deliverance. It highlights God's incredible ability to work *through* human decisions, even those that might be morally questionable or driven by carnal desires, without endorsing or causing the sin itself. Samson remained fully responsible for his actions. God's sovereignty means He can integrate human free will, and even human sin, into His overarching plan, turning what was intended for evil into good, as seen in [Genesis 50:20](/genesis/50-20 "Genesis 50:20 - Joseph's Declaration of God's Redemptive Purpose"). The text focuses on God's purpose, not Samson's purity of motive.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Judges 14:4, while seemingly focused on a flawed judge, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate divine orchestration found in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Samson was a deliverer raised by God to "begin to deliver Israel" from Philistine oppression, yet his methods were often unconventional, driven by personal vendettas, and marked by his own moral failings. He was an imperfect, temporary savior. In contrast, Jesus is the perfect, divinely ordained Deliverer, the true [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). His mission was not merely to deliver Israel from a physical oppressor but to deliver all humanity from the dominion of sin and death ([Colossians 1:13-14](/colossians/1-13 "Colossians 1:13-14 - Delivered from Darkness")). Just as Samson's actions, though misunderstood by his parents, were "of the LORD" to fulfill a divine purpose, so too was the suffering and death of Christ, though appearing as a human tragedy, entirely "of the LORD" according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God ([Acts 2:23](/acts/2-23 "Acts 2:23 - God's Definite Plan and Foreknowledge")). God used the ultimate "occasion"—the sinfulness of humanity and the machinations of evil—to bring about the greatest deliverance through Christ's sacrifice, demonstrating His perfect sovereignty and redemptive love ([Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8 - God Demonstrates His Love")). Jesus perfectly fulfilled the role of the deliverer, not through personal flaws, but through perfect obedience, becoming the true and lasting salvation for all who believe ([Hebrews 5:9](/hebrews/5-9 "Hebrews 5:9 - Jesus, the Source of Eternal Salvation")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Joshua 11:20

For it was of the LORD to harden their hearts, that they should come against Israel in battle, that he might destroy them utterly, [and] that they might have no favour, but that he might destroy them, as the LORD commanded Moses.

Judges 13:1

¶ And the children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the LORD; and the LORD delivered them into the hand of the Philistines forty years.

Psalms 115:3

But our God [is] in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased.

2 Chronicles 10:15

So the king hearkened not unto the people: for the cause was of God, that the LORD might perform his word, which he spake by the hand of Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam the son of Nebat.

2 Chronicles 22:7

And the destruction of Ahaziah was of God by coming to Joram: for when he was come, he went out with Jehoram against Jehu the son of Nimshi, whom the LORD had anointed to cut off the house of Ahab.

1 Kings 12:15

Wherefore the king hearkened not unto the people; for the cause was from the LORD, that he might perform his saying, which the LORD spake by Ahijah the Shilonite unto Jeroboam the son of Nebat.

2 Kings 6:33

And while he yet talked with them, behold, the messenger came down unto him: and he said, Behold, this evil [is] of the LORD; what should I wait for the LORD any longer?