Judges 15:18

¶ And he was sore athirst, and called on the LORD, and said, Thou hast given this great deliverance into the hand of thy servant: and now shall I die for thirst, and fall into the hand of the uncircumcised?

And he was sore {H3966} athirst {H6770}, and called {H7121} on the LORD {H3068}, and said {H559}, Thou hast given {H5414} this great {H1419} deliverance {H8668} into the hand {H3027} of thy servant {H5650}: and now shall I die {H4191} for thirst {H6772}, and fall {H5307} into the hand {H3027} of the uncircumcised {H6189}?

Then he felt very thirsty, so he called on ADONAI, saying, "You accomplished this great rescue through your servant. But am I now to die from thirst and fall into the hands of the uncircumcised?"

And being very thirsty, Samson cried out to the LORD, “You have accomplished this great deliverance through Your servant. Must I now die of thirst and fall into the hands of the uncircumcised?”

And he was sore athirst, and called on Jehovah, and said, Thou hast given this great deliverance by the hand of thy servant; and now shall I die for thirst, and fall into the hand of the uncircumcised.

Commentary

Context

Judges 15:18 immediately follows Samson's astonishing, divinely empowered victory over a thousand Philistine men, using only the jawbone of a donkey. This incredible feat, described in Judges 15:15-17, left him utterly exhausted and severely dehydrated. The verse captures a critical moment of extreme physical vulnerability for the powerful judge of Israel, highlighting the stark contrast between his supernatural strength in battle and his very human weakness when faced with overwhelming thirst.

Key Themes

  • Human Vulnerability and Dependence on God: Even the strongest individuals, like Samson, are ultimately dependent on God for basic needs. His overwhelming thirst brings him to a point of humble prayer, acknowledging his complete reliance on the Lord for survival, despite his recent heroic actions.
  • God's Provision Amidst Desperation: The verse sets the stage for God's miraculous provision of water, demonstrating that His help extends beyond grand battles to personal, life-sustaining needs. It underscores God's attentiveness to the cries of His servants.
  • The Irony of Victory and Fear of Disgrace: Samson's fear of dying by thirst and falling into the hands of the "uncircumcised" (Philistines) immediately after a massive victory underscores the precariousness of life and the unexpected challenges that can arise even after triumph. He fears not just death, but the dishonor of being conquered by his pagan enemies without a fight.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "sore athirst" vividly portrays Samson's extreme dehydration and physical distress. His use of "uncircumcised" (Hebrew: arelim) for the Philistines is a term of contempt, emphasizing their paganism and lack of covenant relationship with God. For Samson, a Nazirite dedicated to the Lord, the thought of falling into the hands of these ritually impure enemies was not only a physical threat but a profound spiritual indignity.

Significance and Application

This passage offers profound insights into the nature of faith and dependence. Samson, who often acted with remarkable self-reliance, here turns to the Lord in a moment of dire personal need. It reminds us that God's power is often made perfect in our weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9). Just as God provided water for Samson in the wilderness, fulfilling his desperate plea for miraculous provision, He promises to meet our needs, whether physical or spiritual, even when we feel utterly spent.

The narrative encourages believers to acknowledge God's hand in past victories and to trust Him for current and future provisions, recognizing that even after great triumphs, we remain dependent on Him for every breath and every blessing. It highlights that true strength is found not in self-sufficiency, but in humble reliance on the Almighty.

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Cross-References

  • 2 Corinthians 12:7 (3 votes)

    And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.

  • 2 Corinthians 12:8 (3 votes)

    For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.

  • Psalms 3:7 (2 votes)

    Arise, O LORD; save me, O my God: for thou hast smitten all mine enemies [upon] the cheek bone; thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly.

  • Psalms 3:8 (2 votes)

    Salvation [belongeth] unto the LORD: thy blessing [is] upon thy people. Selah.

  • 2 Samuel 1:20 (2 votes)

    Tell [it] not in Gath, publish [it] not in the streets of Askelon; lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, lest the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph.

  • Genesis 32:31 (2 votes)

    And as he passed over Penuel the sun rose upon him, and he halted upon his thigh.

  • Genesis 12:12 (2 votes)

    Therefore it shall come to pass, when the Egyptians shall see thee, that they shall say, This [is] his wife: and they will kill me, but they will save thee alive.