Judges 16:25

KJV

And it came to pass, when their hearts were merry, that they said, Call for Samson, that he may make us sport. And they called for Samson out of the prison house; and he made them sport: and they set him between the pillars.

KJV (with Strong's)

And it came to pass, when their hearts {H3820} were merry {H2896}, that they said {H559}, Call {H7121} for Samson {H8123}, that he may make us sport {H7832}. And they called {H7121} for Samson {H8123} out of the prison {H631} house {H1004}; and he made them {H6440} sport {H6711}: and they set {H5975} him between the pillars {H5982}.

Complete Jewish Bible

When they were in high spirits they said, "Summon Shimshon to amuse us." So they called Shimshon out of the prison, and he amused them. When they put him between the columns,

Berean Standard Bible

And while their hearts were merry, they said, “Call for Samson to entertain us.” So they called Samson out of the prison to entertain them. And they stationed him between the pillars.

American Standard Version

And it came to pass, when their hearts were merry, that they said, Call for Samson, that he may make us sport. And they called for Samson out of the prison-house; and he made sport before them. And they set him between the pillars:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Judges 16:25 marks the dramatic zenith of Samson's public humiliation, portraying the Philistines' jubilant revelry in the temple of Dagon as they summon the blinded Israelite champion from prison to be their object of derision and entertainment. This moment, characterized by Philistine pride and perceived triumph over God's anointed, ironically becomes the pivotal stage for Samson's final, divinely empowered act of judgment, exposing the profound folly of human arrogance pitted against divine sovereignty and setting the scene for a catastrophic reversal.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically placed within the climactic final chapter of Samson's narrative, immediately following his betrayal by Delilah, the loss of his strength, his capture, blinding, and forced labor in the Philistine prison at Gaza, as detailed in [Judges 16:20-21](/judges/16-20-21 "Judges 16:20-21 - Samson's Capture and Imprisonment"). The preceding verses (specifically [Judges 16:23-24](/judges/16-23-24 "Judges 16:23-24 - The Philistine Festival to Dagon")) establish the grand festival in honor of Dagon, where the Philistine lords and a vast multitude gather to celebrate their supposed victory over Samson, attributing it to their deity. [Judges 16:25](/judges/16-25 "Judges 16:25 - Samson's Humiliation and the Philistine Festival") serves as the dramatic turning point, transitioning from Samson's personal degradation to a public spectacle that directly precipitates his final, redemptive, and self-sacrificial act of vengeance, culminating in the destruction of the temple and his own death, as recounted in [Judges 16:26-31](/judges/16-26-31 "Judges 16:26-31 - Samson's Final Act and Death"). It is the precise moment where Philistine hubris reaches its peak, unwittingly providing Samson with the opportunity for his most impactful, albeit tragic, contribution to Israel's deliverance.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Philistines were one of Israel's most formidable and persistent adversaries during the period of the Judges, a powerful "Sea Peoples" group who settled in the coastal plain of Canaan. Their advanced iron technology and organized military posed a constant threat to the nascent Israelite tribal confederacy. Their pantheon included prominent deities like Dagon, an agricultural god often depicted with a human torso and a fish-like lower body, worshipped in grand temples. Public humiliation of defeated enemies was a common and potent practice in the ancient Near East, serving not only to assert dominance and demoralize the vanquished but also to demonstrate the superiority of the victor's god. Forcing Samson, a Nazirite dedicated to God from birth and a former judge of Israel, to grind grain in prison (a task typically reserved for women or slaves) and then parading him as a blind spectacle in their god's temple was the ultimate act of subjugation, mockery, and religious blasphemy. Their "merry" hearts reflect not merely general revelry but a profound sense of religious and military triumph, believing Dagon had decisively defeated the God of Israel and His champion.

* **Key Themes:** [Judges 16:25](/judges/16-25 "Judges 16:25 - The Philistine Festival and Samson's Humiliation") powerfully illustrates several key themes prevalent throughout the book of [Judges](/judges "The Book of Judges") and Samson's narrative. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Sovereignty Amidst Human Folly**, demonstrating that even in moments of profound human degradation and arrogant celebration, God's overarching plan remains in motion. The Philistines' "victory" is fleeting, and their pride ultimately leads to their destruction, echoing the recurring cycle of sin, oppression, and deliverance that defines the book of Judges (e.g., [Judges 2:16-19](/judges/2-16-19 "Judges 2:16-19 - The Cycle of Judges")). Secondly, the verse underscores the theme of **Humiliation and Mockery**, as Samson, once a mighty deliverer whose strength was a clear sign of God's empowering Spirit (cf. [Judges 14:6](/judges/14-6 "Judges 14:6 - The Spirit of the Lord Came Upon Samson")), is reduced to a blind jester. This humiliation, however, paradoxically becomes the catalyst for his repentance and final, most impactful act. Lastly, it exemplifies **False Triumph**, where the Philistines' "merry" hearts and celebration are built on a foundation of hubris and a grave miscalculation of God's enduring power, foreshadowing their impending doom and serving as a stark warning against boasting in human strength or pagan deities.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Merry (Hebrew, _ṭôwb_ H2896):** This adjective, often translated as "good," "pleasant," or "joyful," here describes the Philistines' state of mind—one of contentment, satisfaction, and festive exhilaration. It signifies their sense of well-being and triumph, believing they had finally subdued their formidable enemy, Samson, and by extension, the God of Israel whom he served. Their "merry hearts" underscore the depth of their celebration and their perceived security in Dagon's power, highlighting their hubris.
* **Sport (Hebrew, _sâchaq_ H7832):** The root _sâchaq_ carries a range of meanings, from "to laugh" or "to play" to "to mock" or "to make sport of." In this context, particularly as Samson is brought out from prison, it clearly denotes derision, entertainment at another's expense, and public humiliation. The Philistines' demand was not merely for a performance, but for Samson to be an object of their ridicule and amusement, further emphasizing his fallen state and their contempt for him and his God.
* **Pillars (Hebrew, _ʻammûwd_ H5982):** This noun refers to a column or a stand, a structural support. In this specific narrative, the "pillars" are the central architectural elements of the Dagon temple, crucial for its stability. The seemingly innocuous detail of Samson being placed "between the pillars" is profoundly significant, as it positions him precisely for the destructive act that follows, highlighting the Philistines' unwitting role in their own demise and God's sovereign orchestration of events.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And it came to pass, when their hearts were merry":** This opening clause vividly sets the scene, emphasizing the Philistines' state of joyful and confident celebration. Their "merry hearts" signify a profound sense of victory and security, as they believe they have definitively conquered Samson and, by extension, the God of Israel. This revelry is rooted in hubris, overconfidence, and a misattribution of victory to their pagan deity, Dagon.
* **"that they said, Call for Samson, that he may make us sport.":** This is the direct command issued by the Philistine lords, revealing their cruel intent to publicly humiliate Samson. The demand for him to "make us sport" underscores their desire for entertainment at his expense, a brutal display of power over their once-feared enemy, now reduced to a blind, shorn captive. It is a moment of ultimate degradation for Samson and a blasphemous act against Yahweh.
* **"And they called for Samson out of the prison house; and he made them sport:":** This clause describes the immediate and literal execution of the command. Samson is brought from the darkness and confinement of the prison into the public spectacle of the Dagon temple. The repetition of "he made them sport" confirms that he was indeed subjected to their mockery and entertainment, a profound degradation for a former judge and Nazirite, highlighting the depth of his fall.
* **"and they set him between the pillars.":** This seemingly minor detail is critically important and laden with dramatic irony. Placing Samson "between the pillars" positions him strategically for his final, devastating act. It highlights the Philistines' ignorance of God's ongoing plan and their unwitting participation in setting the stage for their own destruction. This specific placement is the literal and metaphorical fulcrum of the narrative, preparing the reader for the impending climax.

#### Literary Devices
[Judges 16:25](/judges/16-25 "Judges 16:25 - The Dramatic Setup") is rich with several powerful literary devices. The most prominent is **Irony**. The Philistines' "merry" celebration of their perceived triumph over Samson and his God is deeply ironic, as this very moment of their greatest pride directly precipitates their catastrophic downfall. They believe they are demonstrating Dagon's superiority, but they are unwittingly setting the stage for the ultimate demonstration of Yahweh's power and judgment. The verse also employs potent **Foreshadowing**, subtly hinting at the impending climax. The seemingly incidental detail that Samson was "set him between the pillars" is not random; it precisely positions him for the destructive act that follows, building dramatic tension and anticipation. Furthermore, there is profound **Symbolism** at play. Samson's physical blindness and his being paraded as a spectacle symbolize his earlier spiritual blindness and moral failures that led to his capture, while his public humiliation symbolizes Israel's subjugation under Philistine rule due to their own spiritual compromises. The pillars themselves become powerful symbols of both Philistine power and their ultimate vulnerability, representing the very foundation of their false security.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Judges 16:25 serves as a powerful theological statement about the nature of divine sovereignty, even in the face of human sin, apparent defeat, and the arrogant boasting of God's enemies. While the Philistines celebrate their victory and mock God's chosen servant, their revelry is a testament to human hubris that ultimately precedes a fall. God orchestrates events, even through the failures of His people and the malice of their adversaries, to fulfill His purposes. Samson's humiliation, far from being the end of his story, becomes the necessary catalyst for his final, redemptive act, demonstrating that God can use imperfect vessels and dire circumstances to bring about His justice and deliver His people. This moment underscores that true victory belongs to God, not to those who boast in their own power or the power of false gods, and that divine judgment can arise from the very center of human pride.

* [Judges 16:28](/judges/16-28 "Samson's Final Prayer for Strength")
* [Judges 16:30](/judges/16-30 "Samson's Death and Victory Over the Philistines")
* [2 Corinthians 12:9](/2_corinthians/12-9 "God's Strength Made Perfect in Weakness")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Judges 16:25 offers profound lessons for contemporary believers, reminding us that moments of deep humiliation, perceived failure, or public mockery in our lives do not necessarily signify the end of God's purpose for us. Like Samson, we may find ourselves in circumstances where we feel exposed, mocked, or utterly defeated, perhaps due to our own sin, poor choices, or the malice of others. Yet, it is precisely in such weakness and desperation that God's strength can be most powerfully manifested, provided we turn back to Him in repentance, humility, and faith. This verse also serves as a stark warning against pride and overconfidence, whether in personal achievements, worldly success, or in mocking the struggles of others. The Philistines' "merry" hearts quickly turned to lamentation and destruction, illustrating that human triumph built on arrogance and contempt for God or His people is fleeting and ultimately leads to ruin. We are called to cultivate humility, recognizing that all true strength, wisdom, and victory come from God, and to trust in His sovereign plan even when circumstances seem bleak or when we find ourselves in the lowest valleys of life. Our ultimate hope and vindication rest not in our own abilities or the world's approval, but in God's unfailing power and perfect timing.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Samson's humiliation in this verse challenge our understanding of strength and weakness in the Christian life, particularly when we feel most vulnerable?**
* **In what ways might we, like the Philistines, be tempted to celebrate a "victory" that is ultimately based on human pride, worldly success, or the downfall of others, rather than God's will?**
* **How can we find hope and purpose when we feel ourselves in a position of deep humiliation or apparent defeat, similar to Samson's experience?**
* **What does this verse teach us about God's ability to use even our past failures, our moments of weakness, or the malicious acts of others to achieve His sovereign and redemptive purposes?**

### FAQ
**What was the significance of the Philistines wanting Samson to "make them sport"?**

Answer: The Philistines' demand for Samson to "make them sport" was a profound act of public humiliation and mockery, designed to assert their dominance and celebrate their perceived victory over both Samson and his God. Having blinded him and forced him into servile labor (as described in [Judges 16:21](/judges/16-21 "Judges 16:21 - Samson's Capture and Imprisonment")), bringing him out for public entertainment in the temple of Dagon was the ultimate degradation. It was intended to demonstrate that their god, Dagon, had triumphed over Yahweh, the God of Israel, by defeating His champion. For Samson, a Nazirite dedicated to God from birth and once a formidable judge, being reduced to a blind jester for pagan amusement was the lowest point of his life, a stark contrast to his former strength and divine empowerment. This act of "sport" was not benign entertainment but a cruel, ritualistic display of power and contempt, aiming to utterly break Samson's spirit and publicly discredit the God of Israel before a vast assembly (cf. [Judges 16:24](/judges/16-24 "Judges 16:24 - The Philistines Praise Dagon")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Judges 16:25, while depicting Samson's profound humiliation, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate humiliation and triumph of Christ. Samson, though deeply flawed and brought low by his own sin, is mocked, made a spectacle, and seemingly defeated by his enemies. Yet, it is precisely in this moment of apparent weakness and impending death that he achieves his greatest victory, bringing down the enemy and fulfilling God's purpose. This trajectory profoundly mirrors the path of Jesus, the true and perfect Son of God. He, too, was brought low, not by His own sin, but by taking on the sin of the world. He was mocked, spat upon, stripped naked, and crucified, becoming a public spectacle of shame and weakness (cf. [Philippians 2:7-8](/philippians/2-7-8 "Philippians 2:7-8 - Christ's Humiliation and Obedience")). From a human perspective, His crucifixion appeared to be the ultimate defeat, a moment of triumph for the powers of darkness and those who opposed Him. However, just as Samson's death brought about a greater victory than his life, Christ's death on the cross, the ultimate act of self-humiliation and obedience, was the very means by which He triumphed over sin, death, and the devil, securing eternal redemption for humanity (cf. [Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Powers")). The Philistines' "merry" hearts in [Judges 16:25](/judges/16-25 "Judges 16:25 - The Philistine Festival") find their parallel in the misguided joy of those who celebrated Christ's crucifixion, unaware that their apparent victory was God's ordained path to ultimate glory and the decisive defeat of His enemies (cf. [Acts 2:23-24](/acts/2-23-24 "Acts 2:23-24 - God's Plan for Christ's Death and Resurrection")). Thus, Samson's story, particularly this verse, serves as a poignant type, pointing to the paradoxical truth that God's greatest strength and ultimate victory are often revealed through apparent weakness, suffering, and self-sacrifice, perfectly fulfilled in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ.

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 Samuel 13:28

Now Absalom had commanded his servants, saying, Mark ye now when Amnon's heart is merry with wine, and when I say unto you, Smite Amnon; then kill him, fear not: have not I commanded you? be courageous, and be valiant.

Judges 9:27

And they went out into the fields, and gathered their vineyards, and trode [the grapes], and made merry, and went into the house of their god, and did eat and drink, and cursed Abimelech.

Judges 19:6

And they sat down, and did eat and drink both of them together: for the damsel's father had said unto the man, Be content, I pray thee, and tarry all night, and let thine heart be merry.

Matthew 14:6

But when Herod's birthday was kept, the daughter of Herodias danced before them, and pleased Herod.

Matthew 14:7

Whereupon he promised with an oath to give her whatsoever she would ask.

Job 30:9

And now am I their song, yea, I am their byword.

Job 30:10

They abhor me, they flee far from me, and spare not to spit in my face.