Judges 15:1

ΒΆ But it came to pass within a while after, in the time of wheat harvest, that Samson visited his wife with a kid; and he said, I will go in to my wife into the chamber. But her father would not suffer him to go in.

But it came to pass within a while after {H3117}, in the time {H3117} of wheat {H2406} harvest {H7105}, that Samson {H8123} visited {H6485} his wife {H802} with a kid {H1423}{H5795}; and he said {H559}, I will go in {H935} to my wife {H802} into the chamber {H2315}. But her father {H1} would not suffer {H5414} him to go in {H935}.

But after a while, during the wheat-harvest season, Shimshon went to see his wife. He brought a young goat for her and said to her father, "I want to go to my wife in her room." But he wouldn't let him.

Later on, at the time of the wheat harvest, Samson took a young goat and went to visit his wife. β€œI want to go to my wife in her room,” he said. But her father would not let him enter.

But it came to pass after a while, in the time of wheat harvest, that Samson visited his wife with a kid; and he said, I will go in to my wife into the chamber. But her father would not suffer him to go in.

Commentary

Judges 15:1 opens a new chapter in the tumultuous life of Samson, setting the stage for further conflict with the Philistines. This verse immediately follows the dramatic events of Judges chapter 14, where Samson's initial marriage to a Philistine woman from Timnath goes awry due to his riddle and the subsequent betrayal by his wife and her family.

Context

The phrase "within a while after, in the time of wheat harvest" indicates a significant passage of time since Samson's wedding feast and his act of burning the Philistines' fields (Judges 14:15-18). Wheat harvest, typically occurring in late spring or early summer (May-June), was a period of agricultural prosperity and celebration in ancient Israel. Samson, perhaps having cooled down from his anger, returns to Timnath with a "kid" (a young goat), likely as a peace offering or a gift, intending to resume his marital relationship. He still considers her his wife, despite the fact that her father had previously given her to "his companion, whom he had used as his friend" (Judges 14:20). The father's refusal to let Samson enter his wife's chamber is the pivotal point of this verse, igniting Samson's fury and leading to the events of the subsequent verses.

Key Themes

  • Consequences of Compromise: Samson's initial decision to marry a Philistine woman, despite his parents' concerns (Judges 14:3), continues to yield bitter fruit. His personal desires repeatedly lead him into situations that escalate conflict with the Philistines.
  • Escalation of Conflict: The father's refusal marks a direct affront to Samson's honor and marital rights, serving as a catalyst for Samson's next series of vengeful actions against the Philistines. This personal grievance becomes a means by which God continues to deliver Israel from Philistine oppression, even if Samson's motives are not always purely divine (Judges 14:4).
  • Cultural Practices: The act of bringing a "kid" as a gift highlights ancient Middle Eastern customs surrounding marriage and reconciliation. The father's authority over his daughter's marital status and his right to refuse Samson entry underscore the patriarchal societal structures of the time.

Linguistic Insights

The term "kid" (Hebrew: g'di, Χ’Φ°ΦΌΧ“Φ΄Χ™) refers to a young goat, commonly used for food or as a valuable gift. Samson's bringing of it suggests an attempt at reconciliation or a gesture of goodwill, aiming to re-establish his position as husband. The "chamber" (Hebrew: cheder, Χ—ΦΆΧ“ΦΆΧ¨) signifies a private inner room, emphasizing Samson's expectation of conjugal rights. The father's resolute "would not suffer him to go in" indicates a firm, intentional denial, which Samson perceives as a profound insult.

Practical Application

Judges 15:1 reminds us that choices, especially those made against wisdom or divine leading, often have far-reaching and unintended consequences. Samson's life illustrates how personal desires and grievances can become entangled with larger providential plans, even when the individual's motives are imperfect. For believers today, it highlights the importance of seeking God's will in relationships and understanding that even in complex human situations, God can work out His purposes.

Note: Commentary was generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please remember that only the commentary section is AI-generated. The main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are sourced from trusted and verified materials.

Cross-References

  • Genesis 38:17

    And he said, I will send [thee] a kid from the flock. And she said, Wilt thou give [me] a pledge, till thou send [it]?

  • Genesis 29:21

    And Jacob said unto Laban, Give [me] my wife, for my days are fulfilled, that I may go in unto her.

  • Luke 15:29

    And he answering said to [his] father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends:

  • Genesis 6:4

    ΒΆ There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare [children] to them, the same [became] mighty men which [were] of old, men of renown.
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