Judges 15:14

[And] when he came unto Lehi, the Philistines shouted against him: and the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon him, and the cords that [were] upon his arms became as flax that was burnt with fire, and his bands loosed from off his hands.

And when he came {H935} unto Lehi {H3896}, the Philistines {H6430} shouted {H7321} against {H7125} him: and the Spirit {H7307} of the LORD {H3068} came mightily {H6743} upon him, and the cords {H5688} that were upon his arms {H2220} became as flax {H6593} that was burnt {H1197} with fire {H784}, and his bands {H612} loosed {H4549} from off his hands {H3027}.

When he got to Lechi, the P'lishtim came running and shouting at him; and the Spirit of ADONAI came on him powerfully. The ropes on his arms became as weak as burnt flax and fell from his arms.

When Samson arrived in Lehi, the Philistines came out shouting against him. And the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon him. The ropes on his arms became like burnt flax, and the bonds broke loose from his hands.

When he came unto Lehi, the Philistines shouted as they met him: and the Spirit of Jehovah came mightily upon him, and the ropes that were upon his arms became as flax that was burnt with fire, and his bands dropped from off his hands.

Commentary on Judges 15:14

Judges 15:14 describes a pivotal moment in the story of Samson, highlighting his supernatural strength directly empowered by the Spirit of the LORD. This verse marks the immediate prelude to Samson's great victory over the Philistines with the jawbone of a donkey, demonstrating God's sovereign hand in delivering Israel.

Context

This verse is set in the land of Judah, specifically at Lehi, where the men of Judah, fearing reprisal from the Philistines, had agreed to bind Samson and deliver him to their oppressors. Samson, a Nazirite consecrated to God from birth and set apart to begin Israel's deliverance from the Philistines, had been previously active against them. The Philistines, having burned his wife and father-in-law, were seeking revenge. As Samson was brought bound to Lehi, the Philistines greeted him with shouts of triumph. However, their celebration was short-lived, as the Spirit of the LORD had begun to move him even in his youth, and now it would manifest powerfully.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Empowerment: The most prominent theme is that Samson's extraordinary strength was not inherent but a direct, supernatural gift from God. The phrase "the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon him" is key, indicating a sudden and overwhelming infilling of divine power for a specific purpose. This underscores God's ability to equip His chosen instruments.
  • God's Sovereignty and Deliverance: Even when delivered into the hands of his enemies by his own people, God's plan for Israel's deliverance through Samson remained unstoppable. The breaking of the cords symbolizes God's power to break any bonds or obstacles that stand in the way of His will.
  • Supernatural Intervention: The description of the cords becoming "as flax that was burnt with fire" vividly portrays the instantaneous and effortless destruction of the bonds. Flax, though weak, would still require effort to break; but here, it's as if the bonds were already consumed, emphasizing the miraculous nature of God's intervention.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew phrase "Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon him" (וְרוּחַ יְהוָה צָלְחָה עָלָיו בְּחָזְקָה, v'ruach Yahweh tsalchah alav b'chozkah) signifies a powerful manifestation of God's Spirit empowering individuals for specific tasks. The verb tsalach (צלח) can mean "to rush upon," "to break forth," or "to succeed," implying an overwhelming, conquering power. This is not a permanent indwelling of the Spirit but a specific anointing for a divine mission, often seen in the Book of Judges for leaders and deliverers.

Practical Application

Judges 15:14 serves as a powerful reminder that God's power is limitless and can manifest in unexpected ways. For believers today, this verse illustrates:

  • God's Ability to Overcome Obstacles: Just as Samson's physical bonds were miraculously broken, God can empower us to break free from spiritual, emotional, or circumstantial "bonds" that hinder us. No situation is too difficult for God's intervention.
  • Reliance on Divine Strength: Our human limitations are no match for God's omnipotence. This passage encourages us to rely on God's strength rather than our own, especially when facing seemingly insurmountable challenges. It speaks to God's ability to provide supernatural strength in seemingly impossible situations.
  • God Uses Imperfect People: Despite Samson's flaws and poor choices throughout his life, God consistently used him to fulfill His divine purpose. This offers hope that God can work through anyone, regardless of their past, when His Spirit empowers them for His service.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, 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. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Judges 14:19

    And the Spirit of the LORD came upon him, and he went down to Ashkelon, and slew thirty men of them, and took their spoil, and gave change of garments unto them which expounded the riddle. And his anger was kindled, and he went up to his father's house.

  • Psalms 118:11

    They compassed me about; yea, they compassed me about: but in the name of the LORD I will destroy them.

  • Judges 14:6

    And the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon him, and he rent him as he would have rent a kid, and [he had] nothing in his hand: but he told not his father or his mother what he had done.

  • Judges 3:10

    And the Spirit of the LORD came upon him, and he judged Israel, and went out to war: and the LORD delivered Chushanrishathaim king of Mesopotamia into his hand; and his hand prevailed against Chushanrishathaim.

  • 1 Samuel 17:35

    And I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered [it] out of his mouth: and when he arose against me, I caught [him] by his beard, and smote him, and slew him.

  • 1 Samuel 11:6

    And the Spirit of God came upon Saul when he heard those tidings, and his anger was kindled greatly.

  • Psalms 18:34

    He teacheth my hands to war, so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms.
← Back