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Public-domain commentary
Matthew Henry
From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers Judges 15:9–17. His two-level outline is real structure in the source text, so it is rendered as structure.
Here is, I. Samson violently pursued by the Philistine. They went up in a body, a more formidable force than they had together when Samson smote them hip and thigh; and they pitched in Judah, and spread themselves up and down the country, to find out Samson, who they heard had come this way, Jdg 15:9. When the men of Judah, who had tamely submitted to their yoke, pleaded that they had paid their tribute, and that none of their tribe had given them any offence, they freely own they designed nothing in this invasion but to seize Samson; they would fight neither against small nor great, but only that judge of Israel (Jdg 15:10), to do to him as he has done to us, that is, to smite his hip and thigh, as he did ours - an eye for an eye. Here was an army sent against one man, for indeed he was himself an army. Thus a whole band of men was sent to seize our Lord Jesus, that blessed Samson, though a tenth part would have served now that his hour had come, and ten times as many would have done nothing if he had not yielded.
II.Samson basely betrayed and delivered up by the men of Judah, Jdg 15:11.
Of Judah were they? Degenerate branches of that valiant tribe! Utterly unworthy to carry in their standard the lion of the tribe of Judah. Perhaps they were disaffected to Samson because he was not of their tribe. Out of a foolish fondness for their forfeited precedency, they would rather be oppressed by Philistines than rescued by a Danite. Often has the church's deliverance been obstructed by such jealousies and pretended points of honour. Rather it was because they stood in awe of the Philistines, and were willing, at any rate, to get them out of their country. If their spirits had not been perfectly cowed and broken by their sins and troubles, and they had not been given up to a spirit of slumber, they would have taken this fair opportunity to shake off the Philistine's yoke. If they had had the least spark of ingenuousness and courage remaining in them, having so brave a man as Samson was to head them, they would now have made one bold struggle for the recovery of their liberty; but no marvel if those that had debased themselves to hell in the worship of their dung-hill gods (Isa 57:9) thus debased themselves to the dust, in submission to their insulting oppressors. Sin dispirits men, nay, it infatuates them, and hides from their eyes the things that belong to their peace. Probably Samson went into the border of that country to offer his service, supposing his brethren would have understood how that God by his hand would deliver them, as Moses did, Act 7:25. But they thrust him from them, and very disingenuously,
1.Blamed him for what he had done against the Philistines, as if he had done them a great injury. Such ungrateful returns have those often received that have done the best service imaginable to their country. Thus our Lord Jesus did many good works, and for these they were ready to stone him.
2.They begged of him that he would suffer them to bind him, and deliver him up to the Philistines. Cowardly unthankful wretches! Fond of their fetters and in love with servitude! Thus the Jews delivered up our Saviour, under pretence of a fear lest the Romans should come and take away their place and nation. With what a sordid servile spirit do they argue, Knowest thou not that the Philistines rule over us? And whose fault was that? They knew they had no right to rule over them, nor would they have been sold into their hands if they had not first sold themselves to work wickedness.
III.Samson tamely yielding to be bound by his countrymen, and delivered into the hands of his enraged enemies, Jdg 15:12, Jdg 15:13.
Now easily could he have beaten them off, and kept the top of his rock against these 3000 men, and none of them all could, or durst, have laid hands on him; but he patiently submitted,
1.That he might give an example of great meekness, mixed with great strength and courage; as one that had rule over his own spirit, he knew how to yield as well as how to conquer.
2.That, by being delivered up to the Philistine, he might have an opportunity of making a slaughter among them.
3.That he might be a type of Christ, who, when he had shown what he could do, in striking those down that came to seize him, yielded to be bound and led as a lamb to the slaughter. Samson justified himself in what he had done against the Philistines: "As they did to me, so I did to them; it was a piece of necessary justice, and they ought not to retaliate it upon me, for they began." He covenants with the men of Judah that, if he put himself into their hands, they should not fall upon him themselves, because then he should be tempted to fall upon them, which he was very loth to do. This they promised him (Jdg 15:13), and then he surrendered. The men of Judah, being his betrayers, were in effect his murderers; they would not kill him themselves, but they did that which was worse, they delivered him into the hands of the uncircumcised Philistines, who they knew would do worse than kill him, would abuse and torment him to death. Perhaps they thought, as some think Judas did when he betrayed Christ, that he would by his great strength deliver himself out of their hands; but no thanks to them if he had delivered himself, and, if they thought he would do so, they might of themselves have thought this again, that he could and would deliver them too if they would adhere to him and make him their head. Justly is their misery prolonged who, to oblige their worst enemies, thus abuse their best friend. Never were men so infatuated except those who thus treated our blessed Saviour.
IV.Samson making his part good against the Philistines, even when he was delivered into their hands, fast pinioned with two new cords.
The Philistines, when they had him among them, shouted against him (Jdg 15:14), so triumphing in their success, and insulting over him. If God had not tied their hands faster than the men of Judah had tied his, they would have shot at him (as their archers did at Saul) to dispatch him immediately, rather than have shouted at him, and given him time to help himself. But their security and joy were a presage of their ruin. When they shouted against him as a man run down, confident that all was their own, then the Spirit of the Lord came upon him, came mightily upon him, inspired him with more than ordinary strength and resolution. Thus fired,
1.He presently got clear of his bonds. The two new cords, upon the first struggle he gave, broke, and were melted (as the original word is) from off his hands, no doubt to the great amazement and terror of those that shouted against him, whose shouts were hereby turned into shrieks. Observe, When the Spirit of the Lord came upon him, his cords were loosed. Where the Spirit of the Lord is there is liberty, and those are free indeed who are thus freed. This typified the resurrection of Christ by the power of the Spirit of holiness. In it he loosed the bands of death, and its cords, the grave-clothes, fell from his hands without being loosed, as Lazarus's were, because it was impossible that the mighty Saviour should be holden of them; and thus he triumphed over the powers of darkness that shouted against him, as if they had him sure.
2.He made a great destruction among the Philistines, who all gathered about him to make sport with him, Jdg 15:15. See how poorly he was armed: he had no better weapon than the jaw-bone of an ass, and yet what execution he did with it! he never laid it out of his hand till he had with it laid 1000 Philistines dead upon the spot; and thus that promise was more than accomplished. One of you shall chase a thousand, Jos 23:10. A jaw-bone was an inconvenient thing to grasp, and, one would think, might easily be wrested out of his hand, and a few such blows as he gave with it might have crushed and broken it, and yet it held good to the last. Had it been the jaw-bone of a lion, especially that which he himself had slain, it might have helped to heighten his fancy and to make him think himself the more formidable; but to take the bone of that despicable animal was to do wonders by the foolish things of the world, that the excellency of the power might be of God and not of man. One of David's worthies slew 300 Philistines at once, but it was with a spear, Ch1 11:11. Another slew of them till his hand was weary and stuck to his sword, Sa2 23:10. But they all came short of Samson. What could be thought too hard, too much, for him to do, on whom the Spirit of the Lord came mightily! Through God we shall do valiantly. It was strange the men of Judah did not now come in to his aid: cowards can strike a falling enemy. But he was to be a type of him that trod the wine-press alone.
V.Samson celebrating his own victory, since the men of Judah would not do even that for him.
He composed a short song, which he sang to himself, for the daughters of Israel did not meet him, as afterwards they did Saul, to sing, with more reason, Samson hath slain his thousands. The burden of this song was, With the jaw-bone of an ass, heaps upon heaps, have I slain a thousand men, Jdg 15:16. The same word in Hebrew (chamor) signifies both an ass and a heap, so that this is an elegant paronomasia, and represents the Philistines falling as tamely as asses. He also gave a name to the place, to perpetuate the Philistines' disgrace, Jdg 15:17. Ramath-lehi, the lifting up of the jaw-bone. Yet he did not vain-gloriously carry the bone about with him for a show, but threw it away when he had done with it. So little were relics valued then.
Historical interpretation
Historical Reception
2 surviving comments on this verse. Each one is dated, so this reads as a timeline rather than a list.
Select a marker to jump to its quote. Markers stagger vertically where authors wrote within a few decades of each other.
Their word being pledged he came out of the cave, and left his fastness on the rock, and was bound with two ropes. When he saw the mighty men of the Philistines drawing near to seize him, his spirit rose within him, and he brake all his bands, and taking up a jaw bone of an ass that lay near he slew a thousand men, and put to flight the rest by this exploit of valour, whole hosts of armed soldiers giving way to one unarmed man. Thus those who ventured to close with him hand to hand he slew without effort; the others saved themselves by flight. Wherefore to this day the place is called Agon, because there Samson by his great valour achieved a glorious contest.
And I would that his moderation in victory had been equal to his courage against the enemy. But as is frequently the case, with mind unused to prosperity, he ascribed to himself the issue of the battle, which was due to the Divine favour and protection, saying, "With the jaw bone of an ass have I slain a thousand men." Nor did he build an altar to God, nor offer a victim, but neglecting sacrifice and assuming to himself the glory, to immortalize his triumph by a memorial name he called the place, The slaying of the jaw bone.
Now when Samson destroyed a thousand men with a jawbone from the body of an ass, the Gentiles were prefigured in the ass; for thus Scripture speaks concerning both Jews and Gentiles: “An ox knows its owner, and an ass its master’s manger.” Before the coming of Christ all the Gentiles were torn to pieces by the devil and lay scattered like dry bones from the ass’s body, but when Christ the true Samson came, he seized them all in his holy hands. He restored them by the hands of his power, and with them overcame his and our adversaries. Thus, we who had given our members to the devil before so that he might kill us, were seized by Christ and became instruments of justice unto God.
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Summary
Judges 15:14 powerfully depicts a pivotal moment in Samson's narrative, showcasing the immediate and supernatural empowerment of the Spirit of the LORD as he is delivered into the hands of the Philistines at Lehi. This verse details the miraculous and effortless dissolution of Samson's physical bonds, setting the stage for his subsequent, divinely enabled victory over his enemies. It profoundly underscores God's unwavering commitment to His redemptive purposes and His absolute ability to deliver His chosen instruments, even when they appear to be at their most vulnerable.
Context
Literary Context
Judges 15:14 is strategically placed immediately after the men of Judah, fearing severe Philistine retaliation, have bound Samson and delivered him to their oppressors at Lehi. This act of betrayal by Samson's own countrymen tragically highlights the pervasive moral and spiritual decline within Israel during the period of the Judges, a recurring and somber theme throughout the book. Samson's earlier actions—his burning of the Philistine grain fields and his subsequent slaughter of many Philistines in revenge for the burning of his wife and father-in-law (Judges 15:1-8)—had provoked the Philistines to seek vengeance. The scene at Lehi serves as a dramatic climax to this escalating conflict, where Samson, seemingly helpless and subjugated, is about to demonstrate God's overwhelming power in a spectacular fashion, directly preceding his iconic use of a fresh jawbone of a donkey to slay a thousand Philistines (Judges 15:15-17).
Historical & Cultural Context
The era of the Judges was characterized by a cyclical pattern of Israelite apostasy, subsequent oppression by foreign powers, desperate cries for deliverance, and God's raising up of a judge to save them. The Philistines, a formidable group of "Sea Peoples" who had settled along the southwestern coast of Canaan, frequently oppressed Israel, particularly in the Shephelah region (the lowlands between the central highlands and the coastal plain). Their military superiority, including advanced iron weaponry, posed a significant and constant threat to the Israelites. The act of binding a captured enemy was a common practice, signifying complete subjugation and humiliation. The fact that Samson's own people delivered him bound speaks volumes about the extent of Philistine dominance and the Israelites' fear, prioritizing self-preservation over national solidarity or trust in God's appointed deliverer. The geographical location of Lehi, meaning "jawbone," is also profoundly significant, subtly foreshadowing the unconventional instrument of Samson's upcoming victory.
Key Themes
This verse powerfully reinforces several key themes prevalent in the Book of Judges and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it emphasizes divine empowerment, illustrating unequivocally that Samson's extraordinary strength was not an inherent physical attribute but a direct, supernatural gift from God, specifically through the "Spirit of the LORD" coming mightily upon him. This motif of divine anointing is seen earlier in Samson's life, as when the Spirit enabled him to tear a lion apart with his bare hands (Judges 14:6). Secondly, it highlights God's sovereignty and deliverance, demonstrating that even when His chosen instrument is betrayed, bound, and seemingly helpless, God's overarching plan for Israel's liberation remains unstoppable. The miraculous breaking of the cords symbolizes God's absolute power to break any bonds or obstacles—physical, political, or spiritual—that stand in the way of His divine will. This underscores that His purposes cannot be thwarted by human weakness, fear, or enemy opposition. This divine intervention also powerfully illustrates the theme of God working through imperfect vessels to accomplish His perfect will, a recurring pattern throughout the book, as seen in the stories of other judges like Gideon, who was called by God despite his humble origins and initial doubts (Judges 6).
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
This verb (H6743) means "to push forward," "to break out," or "to prosper." In this context, coupled with the Spirit of the LORD, it denotes a sudden, overwhelming, and decisive rush of divine power. It signifies an irresistible anointing of supernatural energy that enables Samson to transcend natural limitations for a specific, immediate purpose. This is not a permanent indwelling but a special, temporary empowerment characteristic of the Spirit's activity in the lives of judges and prophets in the Old Testament, emphasizing that Samson's strength was entirely God-given.
This verb (H1197) means "to kindle" or "to consume (by fire)." In the phrase "flax that was burnt with fire," it vividly describes the complete and instantaneous destruction of Samson's bonds. The cords didn't just break; they disintegrated as if they had already been subjected to intense heat, losing all structural integrity. This imagery underscores the miraculous nature of the Spirit's power, which renders even strong physical restraints utterly impotent and inconsequential, as if they had been pre-consumed.
This verb (H4549) means "to liquefy," or figuratively, "to waste," "to faint," or "to be loosed." Here, it describes the complete and effortless release of Samson's bands from his hands. The use of this word implies a melting away or a complete disintegration of the binding, rather than a mere snapping. It reinforces the supernatural ease with which Samson was freed, highlighting that the bonds offered no resistance whatsoever to the divine power unleashed through him.
Verse Breakdown
"And when he came unto Lehi,"
This clause establishes the geographical setting and the immediate narrative context. Samson, having been bound by his own people, is brought to Lehi, a place whose name ("jawbone") carries significant foreshadowing. This moment marks his apparent delivery into the hands of his enemies, seemingly at their mercy and on the verge of defeat.
"the Philistines shouted against him:"
This depicts the Philistines' reaction to Samson's arrival. Their shouts are those of triumph, mockery, and eager anticipation of victory over their formidable foe. They perceive Samson as captured and helpless, celebrating what they believe to be their decisive conquest. This human jubilation stands in stark contrast to the divine intervention that is about to occur.
"and the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon him,"
This is the pivotal moment of divine intervention and the theological heart of the verse. In direct response to the Philistines' shouts and Samson's dire predicament, God's Spirit descends upon him with overwhelming power. This is the supernatural source of Samson's extraordinary strength, a direct act of God empowering His chosen deliverer for the task at hand, demonstrating that Samson's power is not his own but a divine gift.
"and the cords that were upon his arms became as flax that was burnt with fire,"
This clause describes the miraculous, immediate, and profound effect of the Spirit's empowerment. The strong cords binding Samson's arms are not merely broken but instantly and utterly disintegrated. The vivid simile "as flax that was burnt with fire" powerfully conveys the complete and effortless destruction of the bonds, emphasizing the supernatural nature of the event and the absolute impotence of human restraints against divine power.
"and his bands loosed from off his hands."
This final clause confirms the immediate and complete liberation of Samson. The "bands" (referring to the ropes or fetters on his wrists) are not just loosened but completely freed, falling away. This physical unbinding is a dramatic visual representation of God's power to release His servant from captivity and prepare him for the next phase of his divine mission to deliver Israel.
Literary Devices
Judges 15:14 is rich in Literary Devices that amplify its dramatic and theological impact. The most prominent is the Simile, "the cords... became as flax that was burnt with fire." This comparison vividly communicates the instantaneous, effortless, and complete destruction of the bonds, emphasizing the supernatural nature of Samson's liberation. It's not merely that the cords broke, but they disintegrated as if consumed by an unseen, intense heat, highlighting the overwhelming power of the Spirit. There is also profound Irony in the Philistines' shouts of triumph, which immediately precede their crushing defeat, underscoring the futility of human opposition to divine will and the unexpected turn of events. The specific mention of "Lehi," meaning "jawbone," serves as a powerful instance of Foreshadowing, subtly hinting at the unusual weapon Samson will soon wield and the site of his most iconic victory. Finally, the entire scene functions as a dramatic display of Divine Intervention, where God's active presence and power directly alter the course of events, transforming a moment of apparent defeat and humiliation into one of miraculous deliverance and triumph.
Theological and Thematic Connections
Judges 15:14 serves as a profound theological statement on God's sovereign power and His unwavering commitment to His redemptive purposes, even when His people are unfaithful or His chosen instruments are deeply flawed. It illustrates that God's strength is made perfect in weakness, and His plans cannot be thwarted by human betrayal or enemy might. The miraculous breaking of the bonds signifies God's absolute ability to overcome any obstacle—whether physical, spiritual, or circumstantial—to achieve His will. It teaches us that true deliverance comes not from human strength, strategic planning, or political maneuvering, but solely from divine empowerment. This event also powerfully foreshadows the greater spiritual liberation that God would accomplish through His ultimate Deliverer, Jesus Christ, who would break the ultimate bonds of sin and death.
Reflection and Application
Judges 15:14 offers timeless and profound lessons for believers today, powerfully reminding us that God's power is not limited by our circumstances, our perceived weaknesses, or the strength of our adversaries. Just as Samson, bound and delivered to his enemies, experienced a sudden, supernatural release, we too can trust that God is capable of breaking any "bonds" that hold us captive—whether they are spiritual strongholds, emotional chains, destructive habits, or seemingly insurmountable life challenges. This passage encourages us to look beyond our human limitations and rely entirely on God's omnipotence and His willingness to intervene. It challenges us to surrender our struggles and perceived impossibilities to Him, recognizing that our greatest breakthroughs often occur precisely when we are at our weakest and most dependent on His divine intervention. Furthermore, it offers immense hope and encouragement by reassuring us that God can and does use imperfect people, like Samson, to accomplish His perfect will, demonstrating that our past failures or present flaws do not disqualify us from being instruments in His hands when His Spirit empowers us for His service and His glory.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What does "the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon him" mean in this context?
This phrase indicates a special, temporary, and powerful anointing of divine power given by God to Samson for a specific, immediate purpose. It is not a general spiritual indwelling, but rather a supernatural enablement for a particular task—in this case, to deliver Israel from the Philistines. This manifestation of the Spirit provided Samson with extraordinary physical strength, far beyond natural human capabilities, allowing him to break free from his bonds and accomplish God's will. This type of Spirit-empowerment is a recurring theme for the judges in the Old Testament, enabling them to perform miraculous feats of deliverance, as seen in the accounts of Othniel (Judges 3:10) and Jephthah (Judges 11:29).
Why did the cords become "as flax that was burnt with fire"?
This vivid simile emphasizes the instantaneous, complete, and effortless destruction of the cords binding Samson. Flax, though not the strongest material, would still require significant effort to break. By comparing them to "flax that was burnt with fire," the text conveys that the cords didn't merely snap; they disintegrated as if they had already been consumed by intense heat, losing all structural integrity and offering no resistance. This imagery highlights the miraculous nature of God's intervention through His Spirit, demonstrating that no physical restraint or human opposition could withstand His omnipotent power. It underscores the ease with which God can dismantle any obstacle that stands in the way of His divine will.
What is the significance of "Lehi" in this verse?
The name "Lehi" (לֶחִי) means "jawbone" in Hebrew. This is a highly significant and intentional detail because immediately after Samson's miraculous liberation from his bonds, he finds a fresh jawbone of a donkey and uses it as his weapon to slay a thousand Philistines. The very place where he was brought in apparent defeat and humiliation becomes the site of his most iconic and divinely empowered victory, intrinsically linked to the unconventional instrument of that victory. This serves as a powerful example of biblical foreshadowing and divine irony, demonstrating God's meticulous and providential orchestration of events, turning a moment of expected Philistine triumph into a stunning display of God's power through His chosen, albeit flawed, servant.
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
Judges 15:14, with its dramatic portrayal of Samson's supernatural liberation from physical bonds, profoundly foreshadows the ultimate and eternal deliverance accomplished by Jesus Christ. Samson, bound by his own people and delivered to his enemies, finds miraculous freedom and power through the Spirit of the LORD, enabling him to overcome those who sought his destruction. This narrative powerfully mirrors Christ, who, though perfectly innocent, was bound by human hands and delivered to His enemies, ultimately to be crucified. Yet, in His death, burial, and glorious resurrection, the ultimate "Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon Him," not to break physical cords, but to break the far more formidable chains of sin and death itself. Just as Samson's bonds became "as flax that was burnt with fire," so too did the power of sin, the grave, and the devil lose all their grip on Christ. His resurrection is the ultimate unbinding, demonstrating His absolute triumph over all spiritual forces that seek to enslave humanity, fulfilling the ancient promise of a deliverer who would crush the head of the serpent (Genesis 3:15). Through Christ, believers are freed from the spiritual bonds of sin, condemnation, and death (Romans 8:1-2), empowered by the indwelling Holy Spirit to live in newness of life and walk in spiritual freedom (Romans 6:4). The very power that raised Jesus from the dead is the same incomparably great power available to those who believe in Him (Ephesians 1:19-20). Thus, Samson's physical liberation points to the infinitely greater spiritual liberation achieved by the true Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world and sets the captives free (John 1:29).