Judges 15:18

KJV

¶ And he was sore athirst, and called on the LORD, and said, Thou hast given this great deliverance into the hand of thy servant: and now shall I die for thirst, and fall into the hand of the uncircumcised?

KJV (with Strong's)

And he was sore {H3966} athirst {H6770}, and called {H7121} on the LORD {H3068}, and said {H559}, Thou hast given {H5414} this great {H1419} deliverance {H8668} into the hand {H3027} of thy servant {H5650}: and now shall I die {H4191} for thirst {H6772}, and fall {H5307} into the hand {H3027} of the uncircumcised {H6189}?

Complete Jewish Bible

Then he felt very thirsty, so he called on ADONAI, saying, "You accomplished this great rescue through your servant. But am I now to die from thirst and fall into the hands of the uncircumcised?"

Berean Standard Bible

And being very thirsty, Samson cried out to the LORD, “You have accomplished this great deliverance through Your servant. Must I now die of thirst and fall into the hands of the uncircumcised?”

American Standard Version

And he was sore athirst, and called on Jehovah, and said, Thou hast given this great deliverance by the hand of thy servant; and now shall I die for thirst, and fall into the hand of the uncircumcised.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Judges 15:18 presents a stark and profound moment of human vulnerability for Samson, immediately following his miraculous, divinely empowered victory over a thousand Philistines. Despite his recent display of supernatural strength, he is overcome by extreme thirst and exhaustion, prompting a desperate, humble prayer to the LORD. This verse dramatically contrasts his triumph with his immediate physical fragility, highlighting his absolute dependence on God for basic survival and setting the stage for divine provision.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Judges 15:18 directly follows Samson's astonishing and bloody victory over the Philistines, detailed in [Judges 15:14-17](/judges/15-14-17 "Judges 15:14-17 - Samson's Jawbone Victory"). Empowered by the Spirit of the LORD, Samson used the fresh jawbone of a donkey to slay a thousand men, culminating in his triumphant, albeit gruesome, poetic declaration in [Judges 15:16](/judges/15-16 "Judges 15:16 - Samson's Song of Triumph at Lehi"). The narrative then immediately pivots from this peak of physical prowess and victory to a sudden, life-threatening physical weakness. His overwhelming thirst is not merely discomfort but a genuine threat to his life, creating a dramatic tension that underscores the reality of his human limitations despite divine enablement. This moment of extreme need precedes God's miraculous provision of water from a hollow place in [Judges 15:19](/judges/15-19 "Judges 15:19 - God Provides Water from En Hakkore"), completing the cycle of divine empowerment, human vulnerability, and divine sustenance.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Samson operated during a period of intense Philistine oppression over Israel, as detailed throughout the book of [Judges](/judges/1 "The Book of Judges - Cycles of Disobedience and Deliverance"). The Philistines, a powerful seafaring people, had settled along the coastal plain and frequently dominated the Israelites, who were often in a state of spiritual apostasy. The term "uncircumcised" (Hebrew: *ʿārēl*) used by Samson for the Philistines was a deeply pejorative and contemptuous epithet, emphasizing their paganism and their exclusion from God's covenant people. For a Nazirite like Samson, consecrated to the LORD, the thought of dying at the hands of such ritually impure and idolatrous enemies, especially after such a decisive victory, would have been a profound spiritual and personal disgrace. Furthermore, the arid climate of the region meant that water was a precious and often scarce commodity, making Samson's thirst a very real and immediate danger, highlighting the desperate nature of his plea.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully illustrates the theme of **human vulnerability and dependence on God**, even for those divinely gifted with extraordinary strength. Samson, the seemingly invincible warrior, is brought to his knees by a basic physical need, demonstrating that true power ultimately resides with God, not in human might. It also highlights **God's faithful provision**, showing that His care extends beyond grand battles to the most intimate and desperate needs of His servants, often in unexpected ways. The **irony of victory leading to immediate peril** is also prominent; Samson's greatest triumph is immediately followed by a life-threatening crisis, underscoring the precariousness of life and the constant need for divine intervention. His fear of falling into the hands of the "uncircumcised" further emphasizes the theme of **honor and disgrace** within the covenant community, contrasting Israel's identity with that of their pagan oppressors. This episode serves as a microcosm of Israel's own cyclical dependence on God throughout the period of the Judges, where their deliverance always came from the LORD, not from their own strength, as seen in the broader narrative of [Judges](/judges/1 "The Book of Judges - Cycles of Disobedience and Deliverance").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **sore athirst (Hebrew, _mᵉʼôd tsâmêʼ_):** The KJV translates the combination of H3966 (mᵉʼôd, "very" or "sore") and H6770 (tsâmêʾ, "athirst"). This phrase describes a state of intense, painful thirst, indicating extreme dehydration and physical distress. It goes beyond mere dryness of mouth to convey a life-threatening condition. The word emphasizes Samson's utter physical depletion after his Herculean effort, highlighting the stark contrast between his recent supernatural strength and his immediate human fragility.
* **deliverance (Hebrew, _tᵉshûwʻâh_):** This noun (H8668) signifies "salvation," "rescue," or "victory." Samson's use of this term acknowledges that his recent triumph over the Philistines was not by his own power but was a direct act of God's saving intervention. It is an admission of divine agency in his success, setting the stage for his plea for continued divine help. This word often carries a strong theological connotation, pointing to God as the ultimate source of salvation.
* **uncircumcised (Hebrew, _ʻârêl_):** This term (H6189) is a derogatory and contemptuous designation for the Philistines, emphasizing their paganism and their lack of covenant relationship with the God of Israel. For Samson, a Nazirite dedicated to the LORD, the thought of dying of thirst and falling into the hands of these "uncircumcised" enemies was not only a physical threat but a profound spiritual indignity and a source of deep shame, implying a defeat of Israel's God by pagan deities.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he was sore athirst":** This opening clause immediately establishes Samson's dire physical condition. After the adrenaline and divine empowerment of battle, his human body succumbs to the extreme demands placed upon it. This detail is crucial for understanding the depth of his subsequent prayer, revealing his profound physical exhaustion and vulnerability.
* **"and called on the LORD":** This marks a significant shift for Samson, who often acted with impulsive self-reliance. In this moment of utter desperation, his natural instinct is to turn to God. This "calling on the LORD" (a common biblical phrase for prayer in distress, using H7121, *qârâʾ*, "to call out to") signifies his humble acknowledgment of his dependence on a higher power for survival, a rare moment of explicit reliance from Samson.
* **"and said, Thou hast given this great deliverance into the hand of thy servant":** Samson begins his prayer by acknowledging God's sovereignty and His direct involvement in his recent victory. He attributes the "great deliverance"—the slaying of a thousand Philistines—entirely to the LORD, recognizing himself merely as God's "servant" (H5650, *ʻebed*) and instrument. This confession of faith and gratitude precedes his petition, demonstrating a theological understanding of divine agency in his success.
* **"and now shall I die for thirst, and fall into the hand of the uncircumcised?":** This is Samson's desperate plea, framed as a rhetorical question expressing his fear and desperation. The irony is palpable: after a glorious victory (H1419, *gâdôwl*, "great"), he faces an inglorious death by thirst (H4191, *mûwth*, "to die"). His concern is twofold: dying from a basic physical need (H6772, *tsâmâʾ*, "thirst") and, perhaps more importantly, the dishonor of falling (H5307, *nâphal*, "to fall") into the hand (H3027, *yâd*, "hand" or "power") of his pagan enemies (H6189, *ʻârêl*, "uncircumcised") without a fight, thus nullifying the impact of his recent triumph and bringing shame upon the LORD's name.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message. **Irony** is central, as the mighty warrior who single-handedly defeated a thousand men is immediately reduced to a state of extreme weakness by a basic human need—thirst. This creates a striking **Contrast** between Samson's supernatural strength in battle and his profound human vulnerability post-victory. The narrative also utilizes **Prayer** or **Supplication** as a key plot device, demonstrating a moment of humble dependence from a character often characterized by self-reliance. Samson's rhetorical question, "and now shall I die for thirst, and fall into the hand of the uncircumcised?", functions as a vivid expression of his desperation and fear of **Disgrace**, effectively conveying the stakes of his situation. This moment also serves as a subtle **Foreshadowing** of God's immediate and miraculous provision, reinforcing the theme of divine care even in the most unexpected circumstances.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Judges 15:18 powerfully illustrates that even those divinely empowered for extraordinary feats are ultimately dependent on God for their most basic needs. Samson's cry of desperation, immediately following his greatest triumph, underscores the theological truth that God's power is often made perfect in human weakness. This episode reminds believers that spiritual victories do not exempt us from physical or emotional vulnerabilities, but rather, these moments of weakness become opportunities to experience God's faithful provision. His prayer acknowledges God's past deliverance, creating a foundation of trust for present and future needs, demonstrating that true strength is found not in self-sufficiency, but in humble reliance on the Almighty.

* [2 Corinthians 12:9](/2_corinthians/12-9 "2 Corinthians 12:9 - God's Strength Perfected in Weakness")
* [Exodus 17:6](/exodus/17-6 "Exodus 17:6 - Water from the Rock at Horeb")
* [Philippians 4:19](/philippians/4-19 "Philippians 4:19 - God's Provision According to His Riches")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Samson's desperate plea in Judges 15:18 offers a profound lesson for every believer. It reminds us that even after experiencing significant spiritual breakthroughs or achieving great things for God, we remain fully human, susceptible to exhaustion, fear, and basic physical needs. This vulnerability is not a sign of failure but an invitation to deeper dependence on God. Samson, who had just witnessed God's mighty hand deliver a thousand Philistines through him, immediately turns to the same God for a drink of water. This teaches us to bring *all* our needs—great and small, spiritual and physical—to the Lord, acknowledging His sovereignty and provision in every aspect of our lives. His fear of falling into the hands of the "uncircumcised" can be a metaphor for our own fear of succumbing to spiritual enemies or disgracing God's name through our weaknesses. The passage encourages us to humbly confess our limitations, trust in God's past faithfulness, and confidently appeal to Him for every present and future need, knowing that He is attentive to the cries of His servants and delights in manifesting His power through our acknowledged frailty.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Samson's prayer in his moment of extreme weakness challenge our understanding of strength and dependence, particularly after experiencing success?**
* **In what areas of your life, even after spiritual victories or significant accomplishments, do you find yourself most vulnerable and in need of God's immediate provision?**
* **How can acknowledging God's past deliverances in your life strengthen your faith to trust Him with present and future needs, no matter how desperate they seem?**

### FAQ
**Why does Samson, so strong, suddenly become so weak?**

Answer: Samson's sudden and extreme weakness after his great victory is a powerful illustration of human physical limitations, even when divinely empowered for specific tasks. While God granted him supernatural strength for battle, that power was for a specific purpose and did not negate his fundamental human physiology. The immense exertion of slaying a thousand men, combined with the hot, arid climate of the region, would naturally lead to severe dehydration and exhaustion. God allowed this moment of extreme vulnerability to bring Samson to a point of humble dependence, reminding him—and us—that his strength was ultimately derived from the [LORD](/judges/15-18 "Judges 15:18 - Samson Calls on the LORD"), not inherent in himself. It underscores the biblical principle that God often uses our weakness to manifest His perfect strength, ensuring that the glory belongs to Him alone, as echoed in [2 Corinthians 12:9](/2_corinthians/12-9 "2 Corinthians 12:9 - God's Strength in Weakness").

**What is the significance of "uncircumcised" here?**

Answer: The term "uncircumcised" (Hebrew: *ʿārêl*) is highly significant in this context. It was a deeply pejorative and contemptuous epithet used by Israelites to refer to the Philistines and other pagan nations who did not practice circumcision, which was the sign of God's covenant with Abraham and his descendants ([Genesis 17:9-14](/genesis/17-9-14 "Genesis 17:9-14 - The Covenant of Circumcision")). For Samson, a Nazirite dedicated to the LORD, the thought of dying of thirst and falling into the hands of these "uncircumcised" enemies was not merely a physical threat but a profound spiritual and cultural disgrace. It would have been a humiliating end for a judge of Israel, especially after such a decisive victory, as it would imply that the God of Israel was unable to protect His champion from His pagan adversaries. This fear highlights the deep theological and nationalistic divide between Israel and the Philistines, emphasizing the importance of covenant identity and the honor of God's name.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Samson's desperate cry for water in his moment of extreme vulnerability, following a great deliverance, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment. While Samson's victory was physical and his thirst literal, his experience foreshadows the ultimate human weakness and divine provision found in Jesus Christ. Jesus, though fully God, fully embraced human weakness, experiencing hunger, weariness, and even thirst on the cross, crying out, "I thirst" ([John 19:28](/john/19-28 "John 19:28 - Jesus' Thirst on the Cross")). Yet, it is through His ultimate weakness and death that He accomplished the "great deliverance" for humanity—salvation from sin and death. Unlike Samson, whose strength was temporary and whose thirst was physical, Jesus is the source of eternal spiritual sustenance. He declared, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink" ([John 7:37](/john/7-37 "John 7:37 - Jesus' Invitation to Drink Living Water")), promising that those who believe in Him will never thirst again, for He offers "living water" that wells up to eternal life ([John 4:10-14](/john/4-10-14 "John 4:10-14 - Jesus, the Living Water")). Thus, Samson's physical deliverance from thirst points to Christ, who delivers us from the spiritual thirst of sin and provides everlasting life, ensuring that we never "fall into the hand of the uncircumcised" (spiritual enemies) but are eternally secure in His victorious hand, having been redeemed by His ultimate sacrifice.

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

2 Corinthians 12:7

And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.

2 Corinthians 12:8

For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.

Psalms 3:7

Arise, O LORD; save me, O my God: for thou hast smitten all mine enemies [upon] the cheek bone; thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly.

Psalms 3:8

Salvation [belongeth] unto the LORD: thy blessing [is] upon thy people. Selah.

2 Samuel 1:20

Tell [it] not in Gath, publish [it] not in the streets of Askelon; lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, lest the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph.

Genesis 32:31

And as he passed over Penuel the sun rose upon him, and he halted upon his thigh.

Genesis 12:12

Therefore it shall come to pass, when the Egyptians shall see thee, that they shall say, This [is] his wife: and they will kill me, but they will save thee alive.