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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 16:1–3.
Here is, 1. Samson's sin, Jdg 16:1. His taking a Philistine to wife, in the beginning of his time, was in some degree excusable, but to join himself to a harlot that he accidentally saw among them was such a profanation of his honour as an Israelite, as a Nazarite, that we cannot but blush to read it. Tell it not in Gath. This vile impurity makes the graceful visage of this Nazarite blacker than a coal, Lam 4:7, Lam 4:8. We find not that Samson had any business in Gaza; if he went thither in quest of a harlot it would make one willing to hope that, as bad as things were otherwise, there were no prostitutes among the daughters of Israel. Some think he went thither to observe what posture the Philistines were in, that he might get some advantages against them; if so, he forgot his business, neglected that, and so fell into this snare. His sin began in his eye, with which he should have made a covenant; he saw there one in the attire of a harlot, and the lust which conceived brought forth sin: he went in unto her. 2. Samson's danger. Notice was sent to the magistrates of Gaza, perhaps by the treacherous harlot herself, that Samson was in the town, Jdg 15:2. Probably he came in a disguise, or in the dusk of the evening, and went into an inn or public-house, which happened to be kept by this harlot. The gates of the city were hereupon shut, guards set, all kept quiet, that Samson might suspect no danger. Now they thought they had him in a prison, and doubted not but to be the death of him the next morning. O that all those who indulge their sensual appetites in drunkenness, uncleanness, or any fleshly lusts, would see themselves thus surrounded, waylaid, and marked for ruin, by their spiritual enemies! The faster they sleep, and the more secure they are, the greater is their danger. 3. Samson's escape, Jdg 16:3. He rose at midnight, perhaps roused by a dream, in slumberings upon the bed (Job 33:15), by his guardian angel, or rather by the checks of his own conscience. He arose with a penitent abhorrence (we hope) of the sin he was now committing, and of himself because of it, and with a pious resolution not to return to it, - rose under an apprehension of the danger he was in, that he was as one that slept upon the top of a mast, - rose with such thoughts as these: "Is this a bed fit for a Nazarite to sleep in? Shall a temple of the living God be thus polluted? Can I be safe under this guilt?" It was bad that he lay down without such checks; but it would have been worse if he had lain still under them. He makes immediately towards the gate of the city, probably finds the guards asleep, else he would have made them sleep their last, stays not to break open the gates, but plucks up the posts, takes them, gates and bar and all, all very large and strong and a vast weight, yet he carries them on his back several miles, up to the top of a hill, in disdain of their attempt to secure him with gates and bars, designing thus to render himself more formidable to the Philistines and more acceptable to his people, thus to give a proof of the great strength God had given him and a type of Christ's victory over death and the grave. He not only rolled away the stone from the door of the sepulchre, and so came forth himself, but carried away the gates of the grave, bar and all, and so left it, ever after, an open prison to all that are his; it shall not, it cannot, always detain them. O death! where is thy sting? Where are thy gates? Thanks be to him that not only gained a victory for himself, but giveth us the victory!
Historical interpretation
Two Centuries of Reception
3 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.
Having, in the course of events closed his war with the Philistines, and shunning the sloth of his countrymen, Samson now betook himself to Gaza, which was in the region of the Philistines, and lodged there. When the men of Gaza knew this they did not dissemble or pass it over, but beset his lodging in haste, and guarded all the doors of the house that he might not escape by night. But Samson knowing their design, in the middle of the night forestalling the snare which had been laid for him, took the pillars of the house in his arms, and carried the whole structure and the weight of the roof on his back, up to a high hill above Hebron, a city inhabited by the Hebrews.
When Samson went in to the harlot, he was impure if he did so without reason, but if he did so as a prophet it is a mystery. If he did not enter in order to lie with the woman, perhaps he did so because of a mystery. We do not read that he was intimate with her.… See how it is not recorded in Scripture that he was united to the harlot whom he had visited, but it is written that he slept.… He took away the city gates through which he had gone in to the harlot and carried them to a mountain. What does this mean? Hell and love for a woman Scripture joins together; the house of the harlot was an image of hell. It is rightly considered as hell, for it rejects no one but draws to itself all who enter. At this point we recognize the actions of our Redeemer. After the synagogue to which he had come was separated from him through the devil, they shaved his head, that is, they crucified him on the site of Calvary, and he descended into hell. Then, his enemies guarded the place where he slept, that is, the sepulcher, and wanted to seize him although they could not see him.… The words “he arose and left at midnight” signify that he arose in secret. He had suffered openly, but his resurrection was revealed only to his disciples and certain other people. Thus, all saw the fact that he went in, but the fact that he arose just a few knew, remembered and felt. Moreover, he removed the city gates. That is, he took away the gates of hell. What does it mean to remove the gates of hell, except to take away the power of death? He took it away and did not return it. Furthermore, what did our Lord Jesus Christ do after he had taken away the gates of death? He went up to the top of a mountain. Truly, we know that he both arose and ascended into heaven.
Samson, in the book of Judges, foreshadowed this by his deeds. When he had entered Gaza, a city of the Philistines, they immediately knew of his entry. They quickly surrounded the city with a blockade and assigned guards, and they rejoiced at having now apprehended Samson who was so extremely strong. But we know what Samson did. At midnight he carried off the gates of the city and ascended to the top of the hill. Whom, dearly beloved, whom does Samson foreshadow by his deed but our Redeemer? What does the city of Gaza signify if not the lower world? What is indicated by the Philistines except the faithlessness of the Jews? When they saw that the Lord was dead and his body had been laid in the sepulcher, they assigned guards there. They were happy that they caught and held him, who shone out as the creator of life, behind the defense of the lower world, as Samson had been held in Gaza. Samson not only went out at midnight but even carried off the gates of the city, because our Redeemer, rising before it was light, not only went out free from the lower world but even destroyed its very defenses. He bore the gates and went up to the top of the hill, because by rising he carried off the defenses of the lower world, and by ascending he passed into the kingdom of heaven.
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Summary
Judges 16:2 details a critical moment for Samson, the Israelite judge, upon his arrival in Gaza, a formidable Philistine stronghold. His presence is immediately reported to the Gazites, who, recognizing him as a dangerous adversary, swiftly devise a plan to eliminate him. They strategically surround the city gate, laying a silent ambush throughout the night, fully intending to kill him as soon as daylight breaks. This verse vividly portrays the intense peril Samson faces due to his reckless choices and the relentless malice of Israel's enemies.
Context
Literary Context
This verse is situated within the latter part of Samson's narrative (Judges 13-16), which itself is a distinct segment within the larger Book of Judges. The Book of Judges chronicles Israel's cyclical pattern of apostasy, oppression, cries for deliverance, and God raising up judges. Samson's story, however, often deviates from the typical judge narrative, highlighting his personal flaws and impulsive behavior alongside his divinely endowed strength. Judges 16:2 immediately follows Samson's entry into Gaza to visit a prostitute (Judges 16:1), setting the stage for his miraculous escape in the very next verse (Judges 16:3). It underscores the constant state of conflict between Israel and the Philistines, a dominant theme throughout this section of Judges, and serves as another instance where Samson's personal desires lead him into grave danger.
Historical & Cultural Context
The Philistines were a powerful, technologically advanced people who occupied the southwestern coastal plain of Canaan, establishing a confederacy of five major cities: Gaza, Ashkelon, Ashdod, Ekron, and Gath. Gaza, in particular, was a strategically vital city known for its formidable fortifications and its position on the Via Maris, a crucial trade route. During the period of the Judges, the Philistines were a primary oppressor of Israel, as indicated in Judges 13:1. The "gate of the city" was far more than a simple entrance; it was a complex, fortified structure, often serving as the administrative, judicial, and commercial hub of the city. It was the most vulnerable point in a city's defenses but also the most controlled. Laying wait "all night in the gate" was a calculated military tactic, ensuring that Samson, if he attempted to leave, would be trapped when the gates were opened at dawn, as they would have been locked and guarded throughout the night.
Key Themes
Judges 16:2 powerfully contributes to several key themes within Samson's narrative and the wider Book of Judges. Firstly, it highlights the vulnerability despite strength; despite Samson's unparalleled physical power, his repeated moral compromises and reckless choices, particularly concerning relationships with Philistine women, consistently place him in perilous situations. This verse starkly illustrates how even divinely gifted individuals can be ensnared by their own undisciplined desires, a theme echoed throughout Samson's life. Secondly, it showcases the enemy's vigilance and malice. The Gazites' swift, organized, and silent ambush demonstrates the cunning and relentless nature of an adversary determined to eliminate a perceived threat. Their cold-blooded declaration, "In the morning, when it is day, we shall kill him," reveals their deep-seated hostility and calculated intent. Lastly, the verse underscores the consequences of reckless behavior. Samson's presence in Gaza was a direct result of his personal indulgence (Judges 16:1), leading him into a situation of extreme peril and serving as a stark reminder that unwise choices often lead to severe repercussions, even for those under God's anointing.
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
This verb means "to surround," "to encircle," or "to go around." In this context, it emphasizes the completeness and tightness of the Gazites' encirclement, indicating that Samson was fully trapped or hemmed in. It conveys a sense of being enclosed with no apparent escape route.
This term specifically denotes "to lie in ambush," "to set an ambush," or "to lurk." It implies a deliberate, hidden, and premeditated plan to surprise, capture, or harm someone. The Gazites' action was not spontaneous but a calculated military maneuver.
Meaning "to be silent," "to keep quiet," or "to be deaf." Here, it highlights the stealth and discipline of the Gazites. Their silence was crucial for the success of their ambush, ensuring Samson remained unaware of their presence and intentions throughout the night, preventing him from being alerted to the danger.
Verse Breakdown
"And it was told the Gazites, saying, Samson is come hither."
This opening clause indicates the swift and efficient intelligence network of the Philistines. Samson's notoriety as Israel's strongman and a frequent adversary meant his presence in a major Philistine city would immediately be reported, signaling him as a high-value target.
"And they compassed him in, and laid wait for him all night in the gate of the city,"
This describes the Gazites' immediate and strategic response. They did not hesitate but acted decisively to contain and trap Samson. The choice of the city gate, a choke point and the only controlled exit, reveals their tactical acumen. The all-night vigil demonstrates their patience and determination to ensure Samson could not escape undetected, especially when the gates would be opened at dawn.
"and were quiet all the night, saying, In the morning, when it is day, we shall kill him."
This final segment underscores the chilling resolve and malice of the Gazites. Their silence throughout the night was a disciplined act of stealth, preventing Samson from being forewarned. Their spoken intent, though only among themselves, reveals their cold-blooded confidence in their plan and their absolute determination to execute Samson at the first opportunity of daylight, when the city gates would be unbarred.
Literary Devices
Judges 16:2 employs several literary devices to heighten its dramatic impact. Suspense is masterfully built through the description of the all-night wait and the Gazites' quiet determination, leaving the reader to wonder how Samson will escape this seemingly inescapable trap. The verse also utilizes foreshadowing, as the Gazites' declaration, "In the morning, when it is day, we shall kill him," ominously hints at Samson's eventual death in Gaza, though not by their hand in this immediate instance. There is an element of irony present: Samson, the mighty deliverer of Israel, is himself trapped and vulnerable, highlighting the paradoxical nature of his strength coupled with his moral weakness. Furthermore, the narrative employs contrast between Samson's reckless and impulsive entry into Gaza and the Gazites' calculated, patient, and disciplined ambush, emphasizing the stark difference in their approaches.
Theological and Thematic Connections
Judges 16:2 serves as a powerful reminder of the constant spiritual warfare believers face and the consequences of compromising one's walk with God. Samson, despite being divinely gifted and called as a deliverer, repeatedly placed himself in situations of extreme spiritual and physical danger due to his unbridled desires and lack of self-control. This verse highlights that even those with great spiritual strength can become vulnerable when they disregard wisdom and discernment, allowing themselves to be lured into the enemy's territory. The Gazites' patient, silent, and malicious ambush serves as an apt metaphor for the vigilance of spiritual adversaries, who lie in wait for opportune moments to ensnare or destroy. It underscores the biblical truth that our enemies are cunning and relentless, requiring believers to maintain constant spiritual vigilance and reliance on God's protection, rather than their own strength or perceived invincibility.
Reflection and Application
Judges 16:2 offers profound lessons for contemporary believers. Samson's story is a cautionary tale, illustrating that divine gifting does not automatically equate to spiritual maturity or immunity from temptation. His repeated disregard for the dangers inherent in his environment and his choices, driven by personal desires rather than divine wisdom, consistently led him into perilous situations. This should prompt us to critically examine our own lives: Are we, like Samson, carelessly wandering into "Gazas" – places, relationships, or habits that compromise our spiritual integrity and open us up to attack? The Gazites' patient and silent ambush serves as a stark reminder of the vigilance of our spiritual adversaries, who often operate subtly, waiting for moments of weakness, complacency, or compromise. This calls us to cultivate constant spiritual awareness, discernment, and self-control, recognizing that true strength lies not in our own abilities, but in our unwavering dependence on God and adherence to His Word. We must be sober-minded and vigilant, understanding that the enemy seeks to devour, and our choices have real consequences.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why did Samson go to Gaza, a Philistine city, given his role as a judge against them?
Samson's decision to go to Gaza, a major Philistine stronghold, was driven by his personal desires rather than his divine calling. Judges 16:1 explicitly states he went there to visit a prostitute. This act highlights Samson's recurring pattern of being led by his lusts and impulses, often putting himself in direct opposition to his Nazirite vows and the dangers of associating with Israel's enemies. His actions here demonstrate a profound lack of discernment and self-control, despite his extraordinary strength and divine anointing.
What was the significance of the "gate of the city" in this context?
The "gate of the city" was a highly significant architectural and social feature in ancient cities, far more than just an entrance. It was the most fortified part of the city, serving as a defensive choke point, a place for legal proceedings, commerce, and public gatherings. For the Gazites, laying wait at the city gate all night was a strategic masterstroke. It was the only controlled exit from the city, and by ambushing it, they ensured Samson would be trapped when the gates were opened at dawn, making his escape virtually impossible under normal circumstances. It represented the point of maximum vulnerability and control.
How did the Gazites know Samson was in Gaza, and why were they so intent on killing him?
Samson was a highly notorious figure, known for his immense strength and his repeated acts of defiance against the Philistines, including killing many of them (Judges 15:15). His presence in a major Philistine city like Gaza would have been quickly reported by informants or observant citizens. The Philistines viewed him as a significant threat and a symbol of Israelite resistance. Their intent to kill him was driven by deep-seated animosity, a desire for revenge, and the strategic goal of eliminating a formidable enemy who had caused them considerable harm, ensuring their dominance over Israel.
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
Samson, despite his profound flaws, serves as a type of Christ in his role as a deliverer, albeit a deeply imperfect one. Judges 16:2, depicting Samson's entrapment and the enemy's intent to kill him, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate confrontation between the true Deliverer and the forces of darkness. Just as the Gazites lay in wait for Samson at the city gate, so too did the powers of sin and death conspire to ensnare Jesus, culminating in His crucifixion. However, unlike Samson, whose escape from the Gazites was a display of physical power, Christ's victory was achieved through His perfect obedience and sacrificial death. His resurrection, triumphing over the "gates of hell" (Matthew 16:18), is the ultimate fulfillment of Samson's symbolic act of tearing away the city gates of Gaza (Judges 16:3). Where Samson's strength was physical and often misused, Christ's power is spiritual and redemptive, delivering humanity not from Philistine oppression, but from the bondage of sin and death itself (Hebrews 2:14-15). Thus, Samson's perilous night in Gaza, and his subsequent escape, points forward to the perfect Lamb of God who, though seemingly trapped by His enemies, ultimately broke the power of death and opened the way to eternal life for all who believe (John 1:29).