Judges 15:12

KJV

And they said unto him, We are come down to bind thee, that we may deliver thee into the hand of the Philistines. And Samson said unto them, Swear unto me, that ye will not fall upon me yourselves.

KJV (with Strong's)

And they said {H559} unto him, We are come down {H3381} to bind {H631} thee, that we may deliver {H5414} thee into the hand {H3027} of the Philistines {H6430}. And Samson {H8123} said {H559} unto them, Swear {H7650} unto me, that ye will not fall upon {H6293} me yourselves.

Complete Jewish Bible

They said to him, "We've come down to arrest you and hand you over to the P'lishtim." Shimshon replied, "Swear to me that you won't fall on me yourselves."

Berean Standard Bible

But they said to him, “We have come down to arrest you and hand you over to the Philistines.” Samson replied, “Swear to me that you will not kill me yourselves.”

American Standard Version

And they said unto him, We are come down to bind thee, that we may deliver thee into the hand of the Philistines. And Samson said unto them, Swear unto me, that ye will not fall upon me yourselves.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Judges 15:12 presents a moment of intense drama and moral ambiguity, as three thousand men of Judah confront Samson at the rock Etam. Driven by a palpable fear of Philistine reprisal and a desperate desire for peace, they declare their intent to bind him and deliver him into the hands of their oppressors. In a surprising display of calculated submission, Samson, despite his extraordinary strength, assents to their demands, but only after securing a solemn oath from his kinsmen that they themselves would not harm him. This critical exchange vividly illustrates the spiritual and political degradation within Israel during the period of the Judges, highlighting the stark contrast between the people's fear-driven appeasement and Samson's divinely purposed, though often unconventional, path toward Israel's deliverance.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically placed within the narrative of Samson's escalating conflict with the Philistines. Immediately preceding this event, Samson has exacted a brutal revenge for the burning of his Philistine wife and her father by setting fire to the Philistines' fields, vineyards, and olive groves, causing widespread devastation ([Judges 15:4-5](/judges/15-4-5 "Judges 15:4-5 - Samson's Fiery Revenge")). This act of vengeance provokes a severe Philistine response, as they ascend to Lehi, threatening Judah and demanding Samson's surrender ([Judges 15:9-10](/judges/15-9-10 "Judges 15:9-10 - Philistine Retaliation Against Judah")). It is in this atmosphere of heightened tension and Philistine aggression that the men of Judah, a significant contingent of Israelite leadership, descend to the rock Etam. Their purpose is not to defend their divinely appointed judge, but rather to apprehend him, setting the stage for Samson's seemingly paradoxical submission, which ultimately serves as a divinely orchestrated prelude to another miraculous display of his God-given strength against the Philistines.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The era of the Judges (approximately 1200-1000 BCE) was a turbulent period for Israel, marked by a recurring cycle of apostasy, divine judgment through foreign oppression, and subsequent deliverance by charismatic leaders known as judges. During this time, the Philistines, a formidable "Sea Peoples" group who had established themselves along the southwestern coast of Canaan, exerted significant military and economic control over Israel, notably through their monopoly on iron technology, which gave them a distinct military advantage ([1 Samuel 13:19-22](/1_samuel/13-19-22 "1 Samuel 13:19-22 - Philistine Monopoly on Iron")). The Israelite tribes, lacking a centralized government and often disunited, frequently succumbed to fear and compromise rather than demonstrating faith in God for deliverance. The actions of the men of Judah in Judges 15 are a poignant reflection of this broader cultural reality: a people so deeply entrenched in oppression that they would rather appease their overlords by betraying their own divinely appointed deliverer than risk further conflict. Their palpable fear of the Philistines superseded any sense of national solidarity or trust in God's power.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Judges and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it starkly illustrates the pervasive theme of **betrayal and appeasement** within Israel. Instead of rallying in support of their judge, the men of Judah choose to surrender Samson, revealing a profound spiritual and political weakness driven by their fear of the Philistines. This act of compromise underscores the moral decay and lack of faith prevalent during this period, where the people prioritized temporary peace over divine deliverance, a pattern tragically repeated throughout [the book of Judges](/judges/1 "The Book of Judges - Cycles of Apostasy and Deliverance"). Secondly, Samson's response introduces the theme of **calculated submission** and divine sovereignty. Despite his immense strength, Samson willingly allows himself to be bound, but under a specific, crucial condition. This seemingly counterintuitive act foreshadows his subsequent miraculous escape and further victories, demonstrating that God's intricate plan often unfolds through unexpected means, even through the apparent weakness or betrayal of His own people. His demand for an oath from his kinsmen before allowing himself to be bound foreshadows the extraordinary demonstration of his [God-given strength](/judges/14-6 "Judges 14:6 - Samson's First Display of Divine Strength") that would immediately follow. Finally, the interaction sharply contrasts **fear versus faith**. The men of Judah are paralyzed by fear, leading to their unfaithful actions, while Samson, though operating in a complex and often flawed manner, exhibits a profound, albeit unconventional, form of faith, trusting that God will use even his capture for His ultimate purposes of delivering Israel from Philistine oppression, a mission first announced at his birth in [Judges 13:5](/judges/13-5 "Judges 13:5 - Samson's Nazirite Vow and Mission").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Bind (Hebrew, _ʼâçar'_):** This verb (H631) signifies to tie, to shackle, or to imprison. In this context, it refers to the physical restraint the men of Judah intend to impose upon Samson. For Samson, however, his agreement to be "bound" is not an act of defeat but a strategic concession, a calculated step within God's larger, mysterious plan for him to strike against the Philistines. It highlights the paradox of his immense strength being momentarily contained, only to be unleashed with even greater, divine force.
* **Swear (Hebrew, _shâbaʻ'_):** To take an oath (H7650), often invoking a divine witness or a solemn commitment. Samson's demand for an oath elevates his condition from a mere request to a solemn covenant. In ancient Near Eastern culture, an oath was a binding commitment, carrying significant social, legal, and religious weight. By requiring this, Samson ensures that his own people will not be the direct agents of his death, preserving his role as God's instrument against the Philistines and demonstrating a shrewd understanding of the gravity of their promise.
* **Fall upon (Hebrew, _pâgaʻ'_):** This verb (H6293) can mean to impinge, touch, strike, or injure. Here, it specifically denotes an act of violence or direct harm. Samson's precise wording, "that ye will not fall upon me yourselves," indicates his concern that his own countrymen might directly cause his demise, thereby thwarting God's larger purpose for him to deliver Israel from the Philistines. It underscores his unique divine calling and the necessity for him to be preserved for the ultimate confrontation with the true enemy.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And they said unto him, We are come down to bind thee":** The men of Judah, representing the fearful and spiritually compromised Israelites, explicitly state their immediate intention. Their "coming down" implies a descent from their position, both geographically and morally, to confront Samson, reflecting their subservience to the Philistines' demands. Their declared purpose is unequivocally to restrain Samson, not to offer him aid or protection.
* **"that we may deliver thee into the hand of the Philistines":** This clause reveals the core motivation behind their action: the appeasement of the Philistines. They are willing to betray their divinely appointed judge—a deliverer who was to "begin to deliver Israel"—to avoid further conflict or punishment from their oppressors. This act highlights their profound spiritual weakness, their lack of faith, and their failure to trust in God's power to deliver them. The phrase "into the hand of the Philistines" emphasizes the transfer of power and control.
* **"And Samson said unto them, Swear unto me":** Samson's response is both surprising and strategically brilliant. Despite his superhuman strength, he agrees to be bound, but not without a crucial, non-negotiable condition. His demand for an oath underscores the gravity of his request and seeks to bind his countrymen to a solemn promise, ensuring their non-aggression and preventing them from becoming direct participants in his death.
* **"that ye will not fall upon me yourselves":** This specific condition reveals Samson's immediate and primary concern. He is willing to be delivered to the Philistines, trusting God for his subsequent deliverance from them, but he requires an explicit assurance that his own people will not be the ones to directly harm or kill him. This demonstrates a calculated risk, a profound, albeit unconventional, faith in God's ongoing plan for his life and mission, and a desire to reserve his strength for the true enemy.

#### Literary Devices
The passage is rich with several literary devices that enhance its dramatic and theological impact. **Irony** is profoundly evident, as the very people Samson is called to deliver are the ones who come to bind him and deliver him to his enemies. This tragic reversal of roles highlights the deep spiritual and moral decay within Israel during the Judges period, where fear and pragmatic compromise overshadowed faith and national solidarity. There is also clear **Foreshadowing** in Samson's willing submission. His allowing himself to be bound, coupled with his specific condition, strongly hints at the miraculous escape and subsequent victory that is about to unfold. This calculated vulnerability sets the stage for a dramatic and divinely empowered display of strength. Furthermore, a sharp **Contrast** is drawn between the fear-driven, unfaithful actions of the men of Judah and Samson's strategic, faith-infused (though still humanly flawed) decision. This contrast underscores the pervasive theme of Israel's spiritual decline versus God's persistent, even if unconventional, work through His chosen instruments.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Judges 15:12 offers a stark portrayal of the human condition in the face of oppression and the surprising, often paradoxical, ways in which God's sovereign plan unfolds. The betrayal of Samson by his own people is a powerful commentary on the spiritual and moral bankruptcy of Israel during this era, where self-preservation and appeasement trumped loyalty to God's chosen deliverer. It underscores the recurring biblical theme that God's work is often accomplished not through the strength or faithfulness of His people, but precisely despite their weakness and compromise. Samson's strategic submission, on the other hand, illustrates a profound trust in God's ability to work through seemingly impossible situations, even when it involves personal vulnerability. It reminds us that God's ultimate purposes cannot be thwarted by human fear or betrayal, and He can use even the most dire circumstances to advance His kingdom and bring about His intended deliverance.

* [Judges 2:16](/judges/2-16 "Judges 2:16 - God Raises Up Judges to Deliver Israel")
* [Psalm 118:8](/psalms/118-8 "Psalm 118:8 - It is Better to Trust in the Lord")
* [Matthew 26:48-50](/matthew/26-48-50 "Matthew 26:48-50 - Judas' Betrayal of Jesus")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This passage serves as a potent reminder of the insidious dangers of compromise born of fear and the profound importance of trusting God's overarching plan, even when circumstances seem illogical or disadvantageous. The actions of the men of Judah challenge us to examine our own lives: are there areas where we compromise our convictions or betray what is right for the sake of temporary peace, social acceptance, or to avoid discomfort? Do we allow fear of external pressures or potential consequences to dictate our actions, rather than relying on God's strength and guidance? Samson's calculated submission, while unique to his divine calling and the specific context, offers a principle of courageous faith. It teaches us that sometimes, allowing ourselves to be vulnerable or to endure a difficult situation, under God's watchful eye, can be the very path He uses to bring about a greater victory. We are called to stand firm in our faith, even when facing opposition from unexpected sources, and to trust that God's purposes will prevail, often in ways we cannot foresee or fully comprehend.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life are you tempted to compromise your faith or values out of fear of conflict, disapproval, or perceived loss?**
* **How does this narrative challenge your understanding of what it means to trust God's plan, especially when it seems counterintuitive or involves personal vulnerability?**
* **When have you witnessed or experienced a situation where God used an unexpected or seemingly negative circumstance to bring about a greater good or a surprising deliverance?**

### FAQ
**Why didn't Samson, with his immense strength, simply resist the men of Judah?**

Answer: Samson's decision not to resist the 3,000 men of Judah, despite his superhuman strength, was a profoundly strategic and divinely orchestrated act. His lifelong mission, as declared at his birth ([Judges 13:5](/judges/13-5 "Judges 13:5 - Samson's Nazirite Vow and Mission")), was to "begin to deliver Israel out of the hand of the Philistines." His miraculous power was specifically intended for engaging the Philistines, not for internal conflict or bloodshed with his own people. By allowing himself to be bound by the men of Judah, he avoided shedding Israelite blood and ensured that his next confrontation would be with the true enemy, the Philistines. This calculated submission was an integral part of God's larger plan to bring Samson into direct contact with the Philistines, setting the stage for his miraculous escape from their grasp and his subsequent slaughter of a thousand Philistines with the jawbone of a donkey ([Judges 15:14-16](/judges/15-14-16 "Judges 15:14-16 - Samson's Victory at Lehi")). It demonstrated a profound, albeit unconventional, trust in God's method of deliverance.

**What does this verse reveal about the spiritual and political state of Israel during the period of the Judges?**

Answer: Judges 15:12 paints a grim and revealing picture of Israel's spiritual and political decline during the Judges period. The fact that 3,000 men of Judah, representing a significant portion of the nation's leadership and manpower, would choose to betray their divinely appointed judge to appease their Philistine oppressors speaks volumes about the nation's condition. It reveals a people who had largely abandoned their covenant with God, prioritizing self-preservation and temporary peace over faithfulness and reliance on divine deliverance. Their fear of the Philistines was greater than their faith in the Lord, leading them to compromise their identity and mission as God's chosen people. This incident is a microcosm of the broader theme prevalent throughout the book of Judges, where "every man did that which was right in his own eyes" ([Judges 21:25](/judges/21-25 "Judges 21:25 - No King in Israel")), leading to cycles of apostasy, foreign oppression, and profound moral decay, underscoring the desperate need for a righteous king and a true spiritual revival.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Samson's willing submission to be bound by his own people, only to be delivered into the hands of his enemies, profoundly foreshadows the ultimate act of self-sacrifice by Jesus Christ. Like Samson, Jesus, though possessing infinite divine power, willingly allowed Himself to be betrayed by one of His own disciples, Judas Iscariot ([Matthew 26:47-50](/matthew/26-47-50 "Matthew 26:47-50 - Judas' Betrayal of Jesus")), and subsequently delivered into the hands of His oppressors—the Roman authorities and the Jewish religious leaders ([John 18:28-32](/john/18-28-32 "John 18:28-32 - Jesus Before Pilate")). This was not an act of weakness or helplessness, but a deliberate, sovereign choice to fulfill the Father's redemptive will, as Jesus Himself declared, "No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord" ([John 10:17-18](/john/10-17-18 "John 10:17-18 - Jesus Lays Down His Life")). Samson's submission led to a temporary, physical victory over the Philistines; Christ's submission to the cross, however, led to the ultimate, eternal victory over sin, death, and the spiritual powers of darkness ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Spiritual Powers")). He became bound by human hands and suffered a humiliating death so that humanity might be set free from the bonds of sin, ultimately destroying "him who has the power of death, that is, the devil" ([Hebrews 2:14-15](/hebrews/2-14-15 "Hebrews 2:14-15 - Christ's Victory Over Death and the Devil")). Thus, Samson's paradoxical path to deliverance, through willing vulnerability, serves as a powerful Old Testament echo of the greater, redemptive work of the Lamb of God, who, through His ultimate sacrifice, secured true and lasting freedom for all who believe.

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

Judges 8:21

Then Zebah and Zalmunna said, Rise thou, and fall upon us: for as the man [is, so is] his strength. And Gideon arose, and slew Zebah and Zalmunna, and took away the ornaments that [were] on their camels' necks.

1 Kings 2:34

So Benaiah the son of Jehoiada went up, and fell upon him, and slew him: and he was buried in his own house in the wilderness.

1 Kings 2:25

And king Solomon sent by the hand of Benaiah the son of Jehoiada; and he fell upon him that he died.

Acts 7:25

For he supposed his brethren would have understood how that God by his hand would deliver them: but they understood not.

Matthew 27:2

And when they had bound him, they led [him] away, and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the governor.