Judges 15:9

KJV

¶ Then the Philistines went up, and pitched in Judah, and spread themselves in Lehi.

KJV (with Strong's)

Then the Philistines {H6430} went up {H5927}, and pitched {H2583} in Judah {H3063}, and spread {H5203} themselves in Lehi {H3896}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The P'lishtim went up, pitched camp in Y'hudah and attacked Lechi.

Berean Standard Bible

Then the Philistines went up, camped in Judah, and deployed themselves near the town of Lehi.

American Standard Version

Then the Philistines went up, and encamped in Judah, and spread themselves in Lehi.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Judges 15:9 details the Philistines' aggressive military response to Samson's prior acts of vengeance, specifically his burning of their grain fields. This verse marks a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict between Israel and their Philistine oppressors, as the Philistine army advances into the tribal territory of Judah and strategically establishes a presence in Lehi, setting the stage for Samson's next miraculous, albeit unconventional, deliverance of Israel.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Judges 15:9 immediately follows a series of escalating retaliations between Samson and the Philistines. Samson had previously avenged the Philistines' burning of his wife and father-in-law by striking them "hip and thigh with a great slaughter" ([Judges 15:8](/judges/15-8 "Judges 15:8 - Samson's Slaughter of the Philistines")). This act itself was a response to the Philistines' burning of his wife and father-in-law, which was their retribution for Samson's earlier destruction of their grain fields using three hundred foxes ([Judges 15:4-5](/judges/15-4 "Judges 15:4-5 - Samson's Foxes and the Grain Fields")). Thus, verse 9 represents the Philistines' organized, military-level counter-response to Samson's individual acts of violence. Their "going up" and "pitching in Judah" signifies a deliberate invasion aimed at apprehending Samson and reasserting their dominance over the Israelite territory, directly leading to the confrontation where Samson uses the jawbone of a donkey.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** During the period of the Judges, the Philistines were a formidable power, having migrated from the Aegean Sea region (likely Crete) and settled along the southwestern coast of Canaan. They possessed superior military technology, including iron weapons and chariots, which gave them a significant advantage over the Israelites, who were still largely using bronze. Their presence in the land meant constant oppression, often involving economic exploitation and military incursions into Israelite territory. The act of "pitching" or encamping was a common military tactic to establish control, prepare for battle, or exert pressure on a region. Their invasion of Judah was not merely punitive but also a strategic move to force the tribe of Judah to hand over Samson, thereby avoiding a larger conflict and maintaining their hegemonic control. The name "Lehi" itself, meaning "jawbone" or "cheek," holds immense cultural and linguistic significance, as it directly foreshadows the weapon Samson will use in the ensuing battle, a detail that would have been immediately recognized by the original Hebrew audience.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the Book of Judges and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights the **cycle of sin, oppression, and deliverance** that defines the era of the Judges, where Israel's unfaithfulness leads to foreign subjugation, crying out to God, and God raising up a deliverer ([Judges 2:16](/judges/2-16 "Judges 2:16 - God raises up judges")). Here, the Philistine oppression is vividly demonstrated. Secondly, it underscores the theme of **divine sovereignty and unconventional deliverance**. Despite Samson's flawed character and often self-serving motives, God consistently uses him as an instrument to vex the Philistines and demonstrate His power, even through seemingly insignificant means like a jawbone in a place called "Jawbone." The Philistines' military might is set against God's ability to deliver through one man. Lastly, the specific mention of "Lehi" introduces the theme of **providential wordplay and foreshadowing**, where the very geography of the conflict hints at the miraculous outcome, emphasizing God's meticulous hand in history.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Philistines (Hebrew, _Pelishtim'_):** This term refers to the dominant non-Israelite people group inhabiting the coastal plain of Canaan during the Iron Age, who served as Israel's primary oppressors in the period of the Judges and early monarchy. Their military might and cultural influence posed a constant threat to Israel's autonomy and religious purity. Here, their organized military movement signifies their power and determination to quell the individual resistance of Samson.
* **Pitched (Hebrew, _ḥānâ'_):** This verb describes the act of encamping or setting up a military camp. It implies a deliberate, strategic maneuver, indicating that the Philistines were not merely passing through but were establishing a base of operations with the intent to exert control, engage in conflict, or lay siege. Their "pitching in Judah" signifies an invasion and occupation of Israelite tribal territory.
* **Lehi (Hebrew, _Lekhi'_):** This is a highly significant geographical name, literally meaning "jawbone" or "cheek." Its mention here is a prime example of biblical wordplay and foreshadowing. The location itself, named "Jawbone," sets the stage for Samson's extraordinary feat where he will use the fresh jawbone of a donkey to strike down a thousand Philistines ([Judges 15:15-17](/judges/15-15 "Judges 15:15-17 - Samson's Jawbone Victory")). The name itself becomes a prophetic hint of the divine deliverance to come.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then the Philistines went up":** This phrase indicates a military ascent, likely from their coastal plain strongholds into the hill country of Judah. "Going up" often denotes a movement of invasion or a strategic advance into higher, more defensible territory, signifying their aggressive intent and the seriousness of their military operation.
* **"and pitched in Judah":** This specifies the target of their invasion – the tribal territory of Judah. By encamping here, the Philistines were directly challenging Israelite sovereignty and putting immense pressure on the men of Judah to surrender Samson, who was the cause of their present distress. It highlights the Philistine dominance over Israel.
* **"and spread themselves in Lehi":** This clause describes their strategic deployment within Judah, specifically at a location named Lehi. "Spread themselves" implies a comprehensive occupation, establishing control over the area. The mention of Lehi, as discussed, is a crucial detail that sets the stage for the miraculous event that immediately follows, where the very name of the place becomes intertwined with Samson's weapon and God's deliverance.

#### Literary Devices
Judges 15:9 employs several potent literary devices that enrich its meaning and foreshadow the narrative's progression. The most prominent is **Foreshadowing** and **Wordplay**, centered around the place name "Lehi." The Hebrew word *Lekhi* literally means "jawbone," and its mention here directly anticipates Samson's miraculous use of a donkey's jawbone as his weapon to defeat the Philistines in the very next verses ([Judges 15:15](/judges/15-15 "Judges 15:15 - Samson finds a fresh jawbone")). This clever linguistic connection highlights God's sovereign control over seemingly coincidental details, turning a geographical name into a prophetic hint. Furthermore, there is an element of **Irony** in the Philistines' choice of encampment. They strategically position their vast army in a location whose name subtly mocks their impending defeat, as they unknowingly prepare to be routed by a single man wielding an animal's bone in a place named "Jawbone." This demonstrates the ultimate futility of human might against divine purpose.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Judges 15:9, while seemingly a straightforward account of military movement, profoundly illustrates God's sovereign hand at work even amidst human conflict and the flawed actions of His chosen instruments. The Philistines' organized invasion, a direct consequence of Samson's personal vendetta, becomes the very context through which God will once again demonstrate His power and deliver His people. It underscores that God's plans are not thwarted by human imperfection or external oppression; rather, He orchestrates circumstances, even the movements of enemy armies and the names of places, to fulfill His purposes. This passage reminds us that God often uses unconventional means and seemingly weak instruments to accomplish His mighty deeds, highlighting His power over human strength and strategic planning.

* [1 Samuel 17:47](/1_samuel/17-47 "1 Samuel 17:47 - The Lord saves not with sword and spear") - Emphasizes that victory belongs to the Lord, not to human strength or weapons.
* [Psalm 18:32](/psalms/18-32 "Psalm 18:32 - God arms me with strength") - Declares that God is the one who arms His people with strength and makes their way perfect.
* [Zechariah 4:6](/zechariah/4-6 "Zechariah 4:6 - Not by might nor by power") - Reinforces the principle that God's work is accomplished "not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Judges 15:9 serves as a powerful reminder that even in the midst of escalating conflict and seemingly overwhelming opposition, God is actively at work, often in ways we least expect. The Philistines' advance, intended to crush Samson and reassert their dominance, becomes the backdrop for one of Samson's most iconic acts of deliverance. This challenges us to look beyond immediate circumstances and trust in God's overarching plan, even when our personal actions, like Samson's, may have led to unforeseen and difficult consequences. It encourages us to recognize that God can use imperfect people and unconventional methods to achieve His purposes, demonstrating His power and faithfulness. For us, this means discerning God's hand in our own lives, even in chaotic or oppressive situations, and trusting that He can turn what appears to be a setback into an opportunity for His glory.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does this passage challenge our understanding of God's methods of deliverance, especially when human actions are flawed?**
* **In what ways do our actions, like Samson's, sometimes lead to unforeseen consequences, and how can we seek God's wisdom in navigating them?**
* **Where might God be at work in seemingly chaotic or oppressive situations in our lives or in the world today, turning adversity into an opportunity for His purposes?**

### FAQ
**Why did the Philistines specifically choose Lehi to "spread themselves"?**

Answer: The Philistines likely chose Lehi for strategic reasons, as it was a defensible location within Judah's tribal territory, allowing them to exert pressure and establish a base of operations. However, from a theological and literary perspective, the choice of Lehi (meaning "jawbone") is deeply significant and providential. It sets the stage for Samson's miraculous victory using a donkey's jawbone, turning a seemingly ordinary geographical detail into a powerful piece of divine foreshadowing. God, in His sovereignty, orchestrated their encampment in the very place whose name would become inextricably linked with their unexpected defeat by Samson.

**What was the nature of the Philistine oppression during the time of Judges?**

Answer: The Philistine oppression was multifaceted, encompassing military, economic, and political dominance. Militarily, they had superior iron weaponry and chariots, allowing them to subdue Israelite tribes and conduct punitive expeditions like the one described in [Judges 15:9](/judges/15-9 "Judges 15:9 - Philistines pitch in Judah"). Economically, they often controlled trade routes and agricultural lands, extracting tribute and limiting Israel's access to iron technology, as seen in [1 Samuel 13:19-22](/1_samuel/13-19 "1 Samuel 13:19-22 - Philistine control of iron"). Politically, they sought to maintain control over Israelite territories, often installing puppet rulers or directly governing. This constant pressure was part of the cycle of judgment and deliverance described throughout the Book of Judges, compelling Israel to cry out to God for a deliverer.

**Was Samson considered a "good" judge or a moral example for Israel?**

Answer: Samson's character is complex and often contradictory. While he was divinely appointed and empowered by God's Spirit to begin the deliverance of Israel from the Philistines ([Judges 13:5](/judges/13-5 "Judges 13:5 - Samson's Nazirite vow")), his personal life was marked by impulsiveness, self-indulgence, and a disregard for his Nazirite vows. His actions, including those leading up to [Judges 15:9](/judges/15-9 "Judges 15:9 - Philistines pitch in Judah"), were often driven by personal vendetta rather than nationalistic or spiritual zeal. Therefore, Samson is not presented as a moral exemplar in the same way as, say, Samuel or David. Instead, he serves as a testament to God's ability to use even deeply flawed individuals to accomplish His sovereign purposes, highlighting God's faithfulness despite human unfaithfulness.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Judges 15:9, detailing the Philistines' overwhelming military advance against a lone Samson, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate confrontation between the forces of evil and the singular, perfect Deliverer, Jesus Christ. Just as the Philistines "spread themselves" in Lehi, confident in their might, so too did the powers of sin and death seem to overwhelm humanity. Samson, though a deliverer, was deeply flawed, driven by personal revenge, and his victories were temporary and localized. He stood alone against a multitude, but his strength was still physical and his deliverance incomplete. In contrast, Jesus Christ, the true and ultimate Deliverer, stood alone not against a physical army, but against the spiritual forces of darkness, sin, and death. He willingly offered Himself as the [Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), enduring the ultimate invasion of divine wrath on the cross. His victory was not achieved with a jawbone, but through His own weakness and suffering, demonstrating that God's power is perfected in weakness ([2_corinthians/12-9](/2_corinthians/12-9 "2 Corinthians 12:9 - God's power perfected in weakness")). Christ's triumph over death and the grave ([colossians/2-15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's triumph over spiritual powers")) provides an eternal, perfect deliverance that Samson could only imperfectly prefigure. The Philistines' encampment in "Jawbone" ultimately led to their defeat, just as the grave, the ultimate "jawbone" of death, could not hold the Christ who conquered it.

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 15:19

But God clave an hollow place that [was] in the jaw, and there came water thereout; and when he had drunk, his spirit came again, and he revived: wherefore he called the name thereof Enhakkore, which [is] in Lehi unto this day.

Judges 15:17

And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking, that he cast away the jawbone out of his hand, and called that place Ramathlehi.

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.