Judges 15:16

Judges 15:16 records a pivotal moment in the story of Samson, immediately following his miraculous victory over a thousand Philistines using nothing but the jawbone of a donkey. This verse captures Samson's triumphant, almost poetic declaration of his extraordinary feat, highlighting both his immense strength and a touch of personal pride in the aftermath of God's powerful deliverance.

Context

This verse is set during the tumultuous period of the Judges, a time when 'every man did that which was right in his own eyes' (Judges 21:25), and Israel frequently suffered oppression from surrounding nations due to their disobedience. Samson, a Nazarite from birth (Judges 13:5), was supernaturally empowered by God to begin the deliverance of Israel from the Philistines. His actions in Judges 15, including burning Philistine fields and this massive slaughter, are a direct response to Philistine aggression and betrayal, particularly concerning his wife and the people of Judah's attempt to hand him over.

Key Themes and Messages

• Divine Empowerment: Samson's strength was not natural but a supernatural gift from God, enabling him to perform feats far beyond human capability. This highlights God's ability to use unexpected instruments for His purposes, demonstrating His limitless power.
• God's Unconventional Methods: The use of a simple, readily available, and seemingly insignificant weapon—a fresh jawbone of a donkey—underscores that God does not need mighty armies or sophisticated weaponry to achieve His will. He can accomplish great things through the most unlikely means, teaching reliance on His power, not human might. As Paul later writes, God often chooses the foolish things of the world to confound the wise.
• Samson's Triumphant, Yet Flawed, Character: While celebrating a divinely enabled victory, Samson's personal declaration hints at his pride and self-reliance, a recurring aspect of his complex character. This victory, though remarkable, is a testament to God's faithfulness despite the flaws of His chosen instruments.
• Deliverance for Israel: This act of slaying a thousand Philistines was a significant blow against Israel's oppressors, fulfilling part of Samson's calling to begin delivering Israel from the Philistines.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase 'heaps upon heaps' (KJV) in Samson's declaration contains a clever Hebrew wordplay. The Hebrew word for 'ass' or 'donkey' is chamor (חֲמוֹר), and the word for 'heap' is chamorataim (חֲמֹרָתַיִם), which also sounds like a dual form of 'donkey'. Samson's poetic utterance, 'With the jawbone of a donkey, I have made them into two heaps of donkeys,' or 'heaps upon heaps,' is a pun celebrating his victory, connecting the unusual weapon directly to the overwhelming number of the slain enemies.

Practical Application

Judges 15:16 offers timeless lessons for believers today. It reminds us that God's power is not limited by our resources or perceived weaknesses. He can use the most humble or seemingly insignificant tools—or people—to accomplish His mighty purposes. When faced with overwhelming challenges, we are called to trust in God's supernatural strength, not our own. Like Samson, we may have flaws, but God can still work through us to bring about His will and provide deliverance, whether from spiritual oppression or life's difficulties. Our reliance should always be on His enabling power, not our own abilities or cleverness.