Judges 15:12

And they said unto him, We are come down to bind thee, that we may deliver thee into the hand of the Philistines. And Samson said unto them, Swear unto me, that ye will not fall upon me yourselves.

And they said {H559} unto him, We are come down {H3381} to bind {H631} thee, that we may deliver {H5414} thee into the hand {H3027} of the Philistines {H6430}. And Samson {H8123} said {H559} unto them, Swear {H7650} unto me, that ye will not fall upon {H6293} me yourselves.

They said to him, "We've come down to arrest you and hand you over to the P'lishtim." Shimshon replied, "Swear to me that you won't fall on me yourselves."

But they said to him, โ€œWe have come down to arrest you and hand you over to the Philistines.โ€ Samson replied, โ€œSwear to me that you will not kill me yourselves.โ€

And they said unto him, We are come down to bind thee, that we may deliver thee into the hand of the Philistines. And Samson said unto them, Swear unto me, that ye will not fall upon me yourselves.

Commentary

Judges 15:12 captures a pivotal moment in the narrative of Samson, revealing the complex dynamics between him, his own people (the men of Judah), and their Philistine oppressors. It highlights the fear and compromise prevalent among the Israelites during this period.

Context

This verse immediately follows Samson's vengeful destruction of the Philistine grain fields and vineyards (Judges 15:3-5) in response to them burning his Philistine wife and her father (Judges 15:6). The Philistines retaliated by attacking Judah, demanding Samson be handed over (Judges 15:9-10). In response, 3,000 men of Judah came to the rock Etam to confront Samson. The men of Judah, representing a significant portion of Israel, chose to appease their Philistine overlords rather than support their divinely appointed deliverer. Their fear of the Philistines and their desire to avoid further conflict led them to seek Samson's capture.

Key Themes

  • Betrayal and Appeasement: The most striking theme is the betrayal of Samson by his own countrymen. Instead of standing with their judge and deliverer against the common enemy, they choose to surrender him to avoid Philistine wrath. This reflects a broader spiritual and political weakness within Israel during the period of the Judges.
  • Samson's Calculated Submission: Despite his immense strength, Samson allows himself to be bound, but not without a crucial condition: an oath from the men of Judah that they themselves would not harm him. This demonstrates a strategic trust in God's plan for his deliverance, which often involved using his encounters with the Philistines to strike blows against them. Samson's request for an oath from his kinsmen before allowing himself to be bound foreshadows the extraordinary demonstration of his God-given strength that would soon follow.
  • Fear vs. Faith: The men of Judah are driven by fear of the Philistines, leading them to compromise and act against God's chosen one. Samson, conversely, demonstrates a form of faith, trusting that God will use even his capture for His purposes.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "fall upon me yourselves" uses the Hebrew verb ื ึธื’ึทืข (naga'), which can mean to touch, strike, or injure. Samson's demand for an oath implies he does not fear the Philistines as much as he fears being killed by his own people, which would thwart God's greater plan for him to deliver Israel from Philistine oppression.

Practical Application

This verse offers several insights for believers today:

  • The Danger of Compromise: Like the men of Judah, we can be tempted to compromise our principles or betray what is right out of fear or for temporary peace. The narrative reminds us that such appeasement rarely leads to true freedom.
  • Trusting God's Plan: Samson's willingness to be bound, under specific conditions, illustrates a profound trust in God's overarching plan, even when circumstances seem dire or illogical from a human perspective. It encourages us to trust God's sovereignty even in seemingly disadvantageous situations.
  • Courage in Adversity: The story implicitly calls for courage to stand for what is right, even when it means opposing the prevailing tide or facing pressure from those who should be allies.
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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Judges 8:21 (2 votes)

    Then Zebah and Zalmunna said, Rise thou, and fall upon us: for as the man [is, so is] his strength. And Gideon arose, and slew Zebah and Zalmunna, and took away the ornaments that [were] on their camels' necks.

  • 1 Kings 2:34 (2 votes)

    So Benaiah the son of Jehoiada went up, and fell upon him, and slew him: and he was buried in his own house in the wilderness.

  • 1 Kings 2:25 (2 votes)

    And king Solomon sent by the hand of Benaiah the son of Jehoiada; and he fell upon him that he died.

  • Acts 7:25 (2 votes)

    For he supposed his brethren would have understood how that God by his hand would deliver them: but they understood not.

  • Matthew 27:2 (2 votes)

    And when they had bound him, they led [him] away, and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the governor.