Judges 16:24

KJV

And when the people saw him, they praised their god: for they said, Our god hath delivered into our hands our enemy, and the destroyer of our country, which slew many of us.

KJV (with Strong's)

And when the people {H5971} saw {H7200} him, they praised {H1984} their god {H430}: for they said {H559}, Our god {H430} hath delivered {H5414} into our hands {H3027} our enemy {H341}, and the destroyer {H2717} of our country {H776}, which slew {H2491} many {H7235} of us.

Complete Jewish Bible

Upon seeing him, the people praised their god: "Our god has handed over to us our enemy, who destroyed our land and killed so many of us."

Berean Standard Bible

And when the people saw him, they praised their god, saying: “Our god has delivered into our hands our enemy who destroyed our land and multiplied our dead.”

American Standard Version

And when the people saw him, they praised their god; for they said, Our god hath delivered into our hand our enemy, and the destroyer of our country, who hath slain many of us.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Judges 16:24 vividly portrays the Philistines' exultant and spiritually misguided celebration after capturing Samson. In a public display of triumph, they fervently praise their god, Dagon, crediting him with delivering into their hands "our enemy, and the destroyer of our country, which slew many of us." This moment profoundly highlights the Philistine's deep-seated idolatry and their spiritual blindness to the true sovereignty of Yahweh, the God of Israel, even as His deeper, redemptive purposes for Samson and His people were strategically unfolding.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse marks a pivotal, albeit tragic, turning point immediately following Samson's ultimate betrayal by Delilah. Having finally succumbed to her persistent badgering and revealed the secret of his Nazarite strength—his uncut hair—Samson was easily overpowered by the Philistines once shaven. His supernatural strength departed, and he was brutally blinded, brought to Gaza, and forced into the humiliating labor of grinding grain in the prison. The public display of the captured, blinded Samson in the temple of Dagon is not merely an act of Philistine triumph but a profound act of humiliation for Israel's former judge, serving as a dramatic prelude to Samson's final, divinely empowered act of vengeance and deliverance in [Judges 16:28-30](/judges/16-28-30 "Judges 16:28-30 - Samson's Final Prayer and Act of Deliverance"). The Philistine's praise of Dagon here sets up a stark theological contrast with Yahweh's ultimate demonstration of power.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Philistines were a formidable, non-Semitic people who had migrated from the Aegean region and settled along the southwestern coast of Canaan. They were technologically superior, possessing iron weaponry, and culturally distinct from the Israelites. Their polytheistic religion centered around deities such as Dagon, often depicted as a human-fish hybrid god associated with grain and fertility, and Baal-zebub. Public celebrations, sacrifices, and processions to their gods were common after significant military victories, as such successes were seen as direct interventions and affirmations by their deities. For the Philistines, Samson had been a relentless and devastating adversary for twenty years, embodying a constant and personal threat to their security and prosperity. His capture was therefore not merely a military victory but a profound religious one, signifying Dagon's perceived superiority over Yahweh, the God of Israel, a belief that would lead to their ultimate undoing, as dramatically illustrated when the Ark of the Covenant was brought into Dagon's temple in [1 Samuel 5:1-5](/1_samuel/5-1-5 "1 Samuel 5:1-5 - Dagon's Humiliation Before the Ark").
* **Key Themes:** Judges 16:24 powerfully underscores several major themes within the book of Judges and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights the pervasive **idolatry and false worship** prevalent among Israel's enemies, starkly contrasting with the covenantal monotheism of Yahweh. The Philistines' fervent praise of Dagon for delivering Samson into their hands is a testament to their spiritual blindness and reliance on a powerless deity. Secondly, it exemplifies **human pride and divine sovereignty**. While the Philistines boast of Dagon's power, the narrative reveals that Samson's capture was a direct consequence of his own repeated disobedience and moral compromise, yet it was also part of God's overarching, albeit painful, plan to humble Samson and ultimately use him for a decisive blow against the Philistines. This echoes the timeless biblical principle that [pride goes before destruction](/proverbs/16-18 "Proverbs 16:18 - Pride Before a Fall"). Thirdly, the verse subtly introduces the theme of the **enemy's misinterpretation** of divine action. The Philistines saw Samson's downfall as a definitive, final victory, completely unaware that God was orchestrating a final, more devastating act of judgment through Samson, which would culminate in the destruction of their temple and many of their leaders, as detailed in [Judges 16:30](/judges/16-30 "Judges 16:30 - Samson's Final Act of Deliverance").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Praised (Hebrew, הָלַל, _hâlal'_):** This primitive root signifies to be clear (originally of sound, but often of color); to shine; hence, to make a show, to boast, or to celebrate. In this context, it describes the Philistines' fervent, boisterous, and perhaps even arrogant acclamation of their god, Dagon. It implies a public, enthusiastic, and clamorous celebration, reflecting their conviction that Dagon had actively intervened on their behalf. This is a form of worship, albeit directed towards a false deity.
* **God (Hebrew, אֱלֹהִים, _ʼĕlôhîym'_):** This plural noun (H430) is used here in the possessive "their god" (אֱלֹהֵיהֶם). While plural in form, it often refers to a singular, prominent deity, or even the supreme God (especially with the article). Here, it specifically refers to Dagon, the chief deity of the Philistines. The use of this term underscores the distinct and opposing spiritual allegiance of the Philistines in stark contrast to Yahweh, the God of Israel, highlighting the spiritual conflict central to the Judges narrative.
* **Destroyer (Hebrew, חָרַב, _chârab'_):** This primitive root (H2717) means to parch (through drought), i.e., to desolate, destroy, or kill. The form used in the verse (מַחֲרִיב, _machariv_) is a causative participle derived from this root, meaning "one who causes desolation" or "one who lays waste." It vividly captures the Philistine perspective of Samson. From their viewpoint, Samson was not merely an enemy but a force of ruin who had inflicted immense damage upon their land and people throughout his judgeship. This term highlights the severity of Samson's impact on Philistine society and justifies their extreme reaction to his capture.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And when the people saw him":** This phrase sets the scene, emphasizing the public spectacle of Samson's humiliation. He was brought out for display, likely in a prominent place or during a festival, to be seen by the entire populace. This public viewing was essential for the Philistines to fully savor their perceived triumph and for Dagon to receive the glory. It underscores the profound psychological and spiritual victory they believed they had achieved.
* **"they praised their god":** This is the immediate and central reaction of the Philistine crowd. Their praise signifies an act of worship and attribution. They believed Dagon was directly responsible for their victory over Samson, demonstrating their deep-seated idolatry and their worldview where their deity actively intervened in military affairs, securing their prosperity and triumph over their enemies.
* **"for they said, Our god hath delivered into our hands our enemy":** This clause provides the explicit reason for their fervent praise. It is a bold declaration of Dagon's supposed power and a direct claim of divine intervention. They saw Samson's capture as a clear sign of Dagon's superior might over the God of Israel, or at least over Samson's God-given strength, reinforcing their pagan theology and national pride.
* **"and the destroyer of our country, which slew many of us":** This final clause further elaborates on the Philistines' deeply resentful perception of Samson. They view him not just as an enemy but as a personal and national catastrophe. The phrase "destroyer of our country" speaks to the economic, agricultural, and social devastation Samson wrought, while "slew many of us" highlights the immense human cost of his exploits. This vivid description underscores the depth of their hatred and the magnitude of their relief and celebration at his capture.

#### Literary Devices
The verse is rich with **Irony**, which is the most prominent literary device. The Philistines praise Dagon for a "victory" that, from the divine perspective of the biblical narrative, is a direct consequence of Samson's disobedience and a calculated step in Yahweh's sovereign plan, ultimately leading to Dagon's humiliation and the Philistines' greater defeat. There is also a strong **Contrast** established between the Philistines' false god, Dagon, and the true God of Israel, Yahweh. The Philistines' boisterous celebration of Dagon's supposed triumph over Samson serves to highlight the pervasive spiritual battle between idolatry and true worship, a battle Yahweh will decisively win. Furthermore, the verse employs **Foreshadowing**, as the Philistines' short-lived triumph and their profound misattribution of power set the stage for Samson's final, divinely empowered act, which will turn their celebration into mourning and demonstrate Yahweh's ultimate supremacy over Dagon. The vivid description of Samson as "the destroyer of our country" also functions as **Hyperbole** from the Philistine perspective, emphasizing the extreme impact Samson had on their lives and justifying their intense joy and relief.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Judges 16:24 serves as a stark reminder of the fundamental clash between spiritual realities: the omnipotence of the one true God versus the impotence of false idols. The Philistines' fervent praise of Dagon for delivering Samson into their hands is a classic example of misplaced worship and profound spiritual blindness. They attribute a divinely orchestrated event—Samson's downfall due to his own sin and God's sovereign allowance—to their pagan deity. This highlights the pervasive human tendency to create gods in their own image or to attribute divine power to things that are not God, seeking to control or explain circumstances through their own limited understanding. Yet, even in this moment of apparent defeat for God's champion, the narrative subtly affirms God's ultimate sovereignty. Samson's capture, though humiliating, was not the end of God's plan but a painful, necessary step towards a greater, more decisive victory that would ultimately bring glory to Yahweh and judgment upon the Philistines and their false god. This demonstrates that God's purposes can unfold even through human failure and the actions of His enemies.

* [Deuteronomy 6:4](/deuteronomy/6-4 "Deuteronomy 6:4 - The Shema: Hear, O Israel")
* [Psalm 115:3-7](/psalms/115-3-7 "Psalm 115:3-7 - The Power of God vs. Idols")
* [Proverbs 16:18](/proverbs/16-18 "Proverbs 16:18 - Pride Goes Before Destruction")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This verse offers profound lessons for contemporary believers, challenging us to critically examine where we place our praise and trust. Like the Philistines, it is easy for us to attribute success or failure to human effort, luck, or even to societal forces, rather than recognizing the sovereign hand of God at work, even in complex or painful circumstances. We are called to cultivate spiritual discernment, to see beyond immediate triumphs of evil or the painful consequences of our own failures, and to recognize God's overarching sovereignty that orchestrates all things for His glory and our good. Samson's story, culminating in this Philistine celebration, reminds us that God can use even our disobedience and its painful consequences to further His purposes, demonstrating His power and faithfulness in unexpected ways. Our task is to remain vigilant against spiritual blindness, to continually give glory to the one true God, and to trust that His plans, though sometimes mysterious and often beyond our full comprehension, are always for His glory and our ultimate good.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be prone to misplace praise or attribute outcomes to something other than God's sovereign hand?**
* **How can I cultivate greater spiritual discernment to recognize God's hand at work, even in challenging or seemingly contradictory circumstances?**
* **What does Samson's story teach me about the consequences of compromise and the potential for God to work through human failure to achieve His ultimate purposes?**

### FAQ
**Who was Dagon, and why was he so significant to the Philistines?**

Answer: Dagon was a prominent Philistine deity, often depicted as a hybrid creature with a human upper body and a fish-like lower body, or sometimes solely as a god of grain and fertility. He was considered the chief god of the Philistines, particularly in cities like Ashdod and Gaza, and was central to their religious and national identity. His significance lay in the Philistines' belief that he was the source of their prosperity, military strength, and national well-being. Attributing Samson's capture to Dagon was a profound theological statement for them, asserting their god's supremacy over the God of Israel, a claim that would later be dramatically refuted when the Ark of the Covenant was placed in Dagon's temple, leading to Dagon's humiliating collapse before it, as recorded in [1 Samuel 5](/1_samuel/5 "1 Samuel 5 - Dagon's Humiliation").

**Why did the Philistines refer to Samson as "the destroyer of our country, which slew many of us"?**

Answer: This description reflects the Philistines' accurate, albeit biased, perception of Samson's devastating impact on their nation. Throughout his judgeship, Samson had engaged in numerous acts of vengeance and warfare against the Philistines. He killed 1,000 Philistines with a donkey's jawbone ([Judges 15:15](/judges/15-15 "Judges 15:15 - Samson Slays 1,000 Philistines")), burned their fields and vineyards ([Judges 15:5](/judges/15-5 "Judges 15:5 - Samson Burns Philistine Fields")), and tore down their city gates ([Judges 16:3](/judges/16-3 "Judges 16:3 - Samson Carries Gaza's Gates")). From their perspective, Samson was not merely an enemy but a source of widespread destruction, economic ruin, and significant loss of life, making his capture a cause for immense relief and national celebration.

**Did God truly "deliver" Samson into the hands of the Philistines, as they claimed?**

Answer: While the Philistines attributed Samson's capture to Dagon, the biblical narrative reveals a more complex truth rooted in God's sovereignty and Samson's repeated disobedience. Samson's supernatural strength was contingent on his Nazarite vow, which he continually compromised through his sinful choices and disregard for his divine calling. His final betrayal by Delilah and the shaving of his hair were direct consequences of his own moral failures, leading to the withdrawal of God's empowering Spirit. Therefore, God did not actively "deliver" Samson in the sense of a direct, positive act of judgment against him, but rather allowed the natural consequences of his choices to unfold, demonstrating the principle that obedience brings blessing and disobedience brings discipline. However, even in this apparent defeat, God remained sovereign, using Samson's humiliation as a prelude to a greater, final act of judgment against the Philistines, ultimately demonstrating His own power over Dagon, as seen in [Judges 16:28-30](/judges/16-28-30 "Judges 16:28-30 - Samson's Final Prayer and Act"). This illustrates how God can work through human failure and even the actions of enemies to achieve His ultimate purposes, as affirmed in [Romans 8:28](/romans/8-28 "Romans 8:28 - God Works All Things for Good").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Judges 16:24, with its depiction of Samson's profound humiliation and the Philistines' misguided triumph, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate humiliation and apparent defeat of Jesus Christ on the cross. Just as the Philistines celebrated Samson's capture as a definitive victory for Dagon, the religious and political powers of Jesus' day believed they had triumphed over the "destroyer" of their traditions and the "enemy" of their authority when they crucified Him. They mocked Him, saying, "He saved others; let him save himself!" ([Luke 23:35](/luke/23-35 "Luke 23:35 - Mocking of Jesus")). Yet, what appeared to be the greatest defeat in human history was, in fact, God's greatest victory. Samson's final act, though costly to himself, brought greater destruction to the Philistines than his life had, demonstrating God's power through his weakness and ultimate repentance. Similarly, Christ's crucifixion, the ultimate act of humiliation and apparent powerlessness, was the very means by which God achieved humanity's salvation, decisively defeating sin, death, and the devil. The "Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")) willingly entered into this state of weakness and suffering, not due to personal sin like Samson, but as a perfect, spotless sacrifice. His glorious resurrection three days later ([1 Corinthians 15:3-4](/1_corinthians/15-3-4 "1 Corinthians 15:3-4 - The Gospel of Christ's Resurrection")) definitively proved that the apparent triumph of evil was a profound misinterpretation, revealing God's ultimate sovereignty and Christ's supreme victory over all opposing powers and principalities ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Principalities")). Thus, Samson's story, culminating in this moment of Philistine celebration, points to the deeper, redemptive truth that God's power is often made perfect in weakness, and His greatest victories are achieved through what the world perceives as defeat.

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

Daniel 5:4

They drank wine, and praised the gods of gold, and of silver, of brass, of iron, of wood, and of stone.

1 Samuel 31:9

And they cut off his head, and stripped off his armour, and sent into the land of the Philistines round about, to publish [it in] the house of their idols, and among the people.

Daniel 5:23

But hast lifted up thyself against the Lord of heaven; and they have brought the vessels of his house before thee, and thou, and thy lords, thy wives, and thy concubines, have drunk wine in them; and thou hast praised the gods of silver, and gold, of brass, iron, wood, and stone, which see not, nor hear, nor know: and the God in whose hand thy breath [is], and whose [are] all thy ways, hast thou not glorified:

Isaiah 37:20

Now therefore, O LORD our God, save us from his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that thou [art] the LORD, [even] thou only.

1 Chronicles 10:9

And when they had stripped him, they took his head, and his armour, and sent into the land of the Philistines round about, to carry tidings unto their idols, and to the people.

Judges 15:8

And he smote them hip and thigh with a great slaughter: and he went down and dwelt in the top of the rock Etam.

Deuteronomy 32:27

Were it not that I feared the wrath of the enemy, lest their adversaries should behave themselves strangely, [and] lest they should say, Our hand [is] high, and the LORD hath not done all this.