Judges 15:10

KJV

And the men of Judah said, Why are ye come up against us? And they answered, To bind Samson are we come up, to do to him as he hath done to us.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the men {H376} of Judah {H3063} said {H559}, Why are ye come up {H5927} against us? And they answered {H559}, To bind {H631} Samson {H8123} are we come up {H5927}, to do {H6213} to him as he hath done {H6213} to us.

Complete Jewish Bible

The men of Y'hudah said, "Why are you attacking us?" They replied, "To arrest Shimshon, that's why - to treat him the way he treated us."

Berean Standard Bible

“Why have you attacked us?” said the men of Judah. The Philistines replied, “We have come to arrest Samson and pay him back for what he has done to us.”

American Standard Version

And the men of Judah said, Why are ye come up against us? And they said, To bind Samson are we come up, to do to him as he hath done to us.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Judges 15:10 captures a pivotal moment in the Samson narrative, revealing the fearful and compromised posture of the men of Judah in the face of Philistine oppression. When confronted by Judah, the Philistines explicitly state their purpose: to apprehend Samson and exact retribution for his recent destructive acts against them. This exchange highlights the deep spiritual and political decline of Israel, where tribal disunity and a lack of faith-filled courage led to their willingness to appease their oppressors rather than defend their divinely appointed deliverer.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the larger narrative of Samson, one of Israel's judges, whose life is a turbulent cycle of divine empowerment, personal failings, and isolated acts of resistance against the Philistines. Immediately preceding this verse, Samson, in a fit of vengeance for his Philistine wife being given to another man, had unleashed a devastating attack, setting fire to the Philistine grain fields, vineyards, and olive groves ([Judges 15:1-8](/judges/15-1 "Judges 15:1-8 - Samson's Vengeance on the Philistines")). In response to this significant economic blow, the Philistines had retaliated by burning Samson's wife and her father, prompting Samson to declare further vengeance. The Philistines' subsequent military expedition to Lehi in Judah, as described in this verse, is a direct consequence of Samson's escalating actions, setting the stage for the men of Judah's fearful capitulation and Samson's subsequent binding.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The period of the Judges (roughly 1200-1000 BCE) was characterized by a lack of central Israelite authority, recurring cycles of apostasy, oppression, repentance, and deliverance. The Philistines, a powerful maritime people who settled along the southwestern coast of Canaan, were a dominant force, often subjugating the Israelite tribes. Their military superiority, particularly in iron weaponry, gave them a significant advantage. The men of Judah's submissive questioning ("Why are ye come up against us?") rather than a defiant stand, reflects the harsh reality of their subjugation and their deep-seated fear of Philistine reprisal. Culturally, the Philistines' stated motive, "to do to him as he hath done to us," echoes the ancient Near Eastern principle of *lex talionis* (law of retaliation), where justice often involved reciprocal action, though here it is applied as a national justification for vengeance rather than a legal code for individual offenses.
* **Key Themes:** Judges 15:10 powerfully underscores several recurring themes within the book of Judges and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, **Retaliation and Vengeance** are central, as the Philistines explicitly articulate their desire for proportional payback, perpetuating a destructive cycle of violence that contrasts sharply with divine justice and mercy. Secondly, the verse highlights **Israelite Weakness and Compromise**, particularly among the men of Judah. Their immediate concern is not the Philistine invasion of their territory or the defense of their divinely gifted deliverer, but rather an attempt to placate the oppressors, revealing a profound lack of courage, national unity, and spiritual conviction, a pervasive issue during this era where "every man did what was right in his own eyes" ([Judges 21:25](/judges/21-25 "Judges 21:25 - Everyone Did What Was Right in Their Own Eyes")). Finally, the verse emphasizes **Samson's Isolated Stand**. Unlike earlier judges who rallied tribes to fight against oppressors, Samson operates largely alone, his actions provoking reactions that often leave him to bear the consequences without the support of his own people, highlighting the fragmented state of Israel.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Why are ye come up (Hebrew, לָמָּה עֲלִיתֶם, _lammah 'alitem'_):** This interrogative phrase from the men of Judah is laden with fear and a desire to avoid conflict. It is not a challenge, but a plea for understanding, an attempt to ascertain the Philistines' intentions in order to negotiate or appease. It starkly reveals their submissive posture and lack of resolve to resist their oppressors, contrasting sharply with the expected role of a sovereign people.
* **To bind (Hebrew, לֶאֱסֹר, _le'esor'_):** The Philistines' stated purpose is precise and deliberate. They do not merely intend to fight Samson or kill him outright, but to capture and incapacitate him. This specific intent to "bind" foreshadows Samson's eventual capture and the loss of his freedom, highlighting the Philistines' desire for control and humiliation over their formidable adversary.
* **as he hath done to us (Hebrew, כַּאֲשֶׁר עָשָׂה לָנוּ, _ka'asher 'asah lanu'_):** This phrase is a clear declaration of the Philistines' motive: direct, reciprocal retribution. It invokes the principle of *lex talionis*, not as a legal statute for justice, but as a justification for national vengeance. It underscores the cycle of escalating violence between Samson and the Philistines, where each act of aggression begets another, driven by a desire for "eye for an eye" justice.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the men of Judah said, Why are ye come up against us?":** This opening clause immediately sets a tone of apprehension and subservience. The men of Judah, rather than confronting the Philistine invaders with defiance or a call to arms, express a fearful curiosity. Their question is an attempt to understand the specific grievance, hoping to diffuse the situation or perhaps even cooperate with the Philistines to protect themselves. It speaks volumes about the spiritual and political degradation within Israel, where the oppressor is questioned rather than resisted.
* **"And they answered, To bind Samson are we come up":** The Philistines' response is direct and unambiguous. They are not there for general conquest or plunder, but for a specific target: Samson. Their intention to "bind" him indicates a desire to neutralize his supernatural strength and remove him as a threat, perhaps even to parade him as a symbol of their dominance. This clarifies their immediate objective and sets the stage for the subsequent betrayal by the men of Judah.
* **"to do to him as he hath done to us.":** This concluding statement provides the explicit justification for the Philistines' actions. It is a clear declaration of their intent to exact retribution, a direct response to Samson's prior acts of vengeance (burning their harvest, slaughtering their men). This phrase encapsulates the principle of reciprocal justice, or *lex talionis*, applied here in a national context, perpetuating the cycle of violence that defines much of the Judges period.

#### Literary Devices
The verse effectively employs **Dialogue** to advance the plot and reveal character. The exchange between the men of Judah and the Philistines immediately exposes Judah's fearful and compromising nature, contrasting with the Philistines' clear and vengeful intent. There is a strong element of **Irony** present: the very people Samson is meant to deliver are more concerned with appeasing their oppressors than defending their deliverer. This highlights the tragic state of Israel. The Philistines' declaration "to bind Samson" serves as clear **Foreshadowing**, anticipating Samson's eventual capture and the loss of his freedom later in the narrative. Furthermore, the explicit statement "to do to him as he hath done to us" functions as a narrative embodiment of the **Lex Talionis** principle, driving the plot through a cycle of escalating retribution.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Judges 15:10 offers a stark theological reflection on the consequences of spiritual and moral decline. The men of Judah's willingness to compromise and prioritize temporal peace over righteous resistance reveals a profound lack of faith in God's power to deliver, a recurring theme throughout the book of Judges. Their fear of man, rather than the fear of God, leads them to betray their own. The Philistines' pursuit of vengeance, though understandable from a human perspective, illustrates the destructive cycle of retribution that characterizes a world without divine intervention and grace. This passage implicitly contrasts human attempts at self-appointed justice with God's ultimate sovereignty and His prerogative to execute justice and vengeance in His own time and way. It reminds us that true deliverance comes not from human appeasement or endless cycles of retaliation, but from God's redemptive plan.

* [Deuteronomy 32:35](/deuteronomy/32-35 "Deuteronomy 32:35 - Vengeance is Mine")
* [Romans 12:19](/romans/12-19 "Romans 12:19 - Do Not Take Revenge")
* [Proverbs 29:25](/proverbs/29-25 "Proverbs 29:25 - The Fear of Man Lays a Snare")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This passage serves as a powerful cautionary tale for believers today. The men of Judah's response to the Philistines is a vivid illustration of the dangers of prioritizing comfort and self-preservation over faithfulness and courage. In a world that often pressures us to compromise our convictions, to appease cultural norms, or to remain silent in the face of injustice, the story of Judah's capitulation reminds us of the spiritual cost of such choices. We are called to stand firm in our faith, trusting in God's sovereignty and His ability to deliver, rather than succumbing to fear or engaging in cycles of vengeance. Instead of seeking to "do to others as they have done to us," followers of Christ are called to a higher standard of love, forgiveness, and reconciliation, breaking the cycle of animosity. This narrative also underscores the vital importance of unity within the body of Christ; just as Judah's disunity left Samson isolated, so too can disunity among believers weaken our collective witness and ability to stand against spiritual opposition.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life might you be tempted to compromise your convictions out of fear or a desire for peace at any cost?**
* **How does the men of Judah's fear of the Philistines relate to the "fear of man" that the Bible warns against?**
* **What practical steps can you take to break cycles of vengeance or retaliation in your personal relationships or broader community?**
* **How does this passage highlight the importance of unity and mutual support within the Christian community in facing external pressures?**

### FAQ

**Why didn't the men of Judah defend Samson, who was a deliverer for Israel?**

Answer: The men of Judah did not defend Samson primarily due to a combination of fear, political subjugation, and a profound lack of national and spiritual unity. They were under the oppressive rule of the Philistines, and confronting them would have invited severe retaliation against their entire tribe. Unlike earlier judges who rallied tribes for a unified stand against oppressors, the period of Judges was marked by tribal fragmentation and a pervasive spiritual decline, where "every man did what was right in his own eyes" ([Judges 21:25](/judges/21-25 "Judges 21:25 - Everyone Did What Was Right in Their Own Eyes")). They prioritized their own immediate safety and the appeasement of their overlords over defending a divinely appointed, albeit unconventional, deliverer. This decision highlights their spiritual weakness and a failure to trust in God's power for deliverance.

**What is *lex talionis* and how does it apply to the Philistines' statement in this verse?**

Answer: *Lex talionis* is a Latin term meaning "law of retaliation," often summarized as "an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth." It is a principle of retributive justice where punishment is proportionate to the offense. In the Mosaic Law (e.g., [Exodus 21:23-25](/exodus/21-23 "Exodus 21:23-25 - Eye for Eye")), it served to limit vengeance and ensure justice was not excessive. In Judges 15:10, the Philistines' statement, "to do to him as he hath done to us," is an application of this principle, though not as a legal code, but as a justification for national vengeance. Samson had inflicted significant damage on them (burning their harvest, slaughtering their men), and they sought to inflict proportionate harm on him. This illustrates how the principle, when applied outside of divine or legal bounds and driven by human anger, can perpetuate a destructive cycle of violence between individuals or nations.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Judges 15:10, with its depiction of a compromised people and a solitary deliverer facing retribution, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment. Samson, though flawed, was a deliverer raised by God, yet he was rejected and handed over by his own people to his enemies. This foreshadows Jesus Christ, the ultimate Deliverer, who "came to his own, and his own people did not receive him" ([John 1:11](/john/1-11 "John 1:11 - He came to His own")). Just as the men of Judah, out of fear and self-preservation, sought to appease their oppressors by binding Samson, so too did the Jewish leaders, fearing Roman reprisal and prioritizing their own power, hand Jesus over to be crucified ([John 19:15](/john/19-15 "John 19:15 - We Have No King But Caesar")). The Philistines' desire for "an eye for an eye" retribution contrasts sharply with Christ's mission. While the world demands vengeance, Christ broke the cycle of retribution by offering Himself as the perfect sacrifice, absorbing the wrath due to humanity and offering forgiveness instead ([Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8 - God's Love While We Were Still Sinners")). He taught His followers to "turn the other cheek" and "love your enemies" ([Matthew 5:38-48](/matthew/5-38 "Matthew 5:38-48 - Love Your Enemies")), fundamentally reorienting the concept of justice away from human retaliation toward divine grace and reconciliation. Unlike Samson, who was physically bound and ultimately died with his enemies, Christ willingly submitted to being bound, crucified, and died, but rose again, triumphing over sin and death, offering true and eternal liberation to all who believe ([Hebrews 2:14-15](/hebrews/2-14 "Hebrews 2:14-15 - Christ's Deliverance from Death")).

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.