Judges 15:3

And Samson said concerning them, Now shall I be more blameless than the Philistines, though I do them a displeasure.

And Samson {H8123} said {H559} concerning them, Now {H6471} shall I be more blameless {H5352} than the Philistines {H6430}, though I do {H6213} them a displeasure {H7451}.

Shimshon said to them, "This time I'm through with the P'lishtim! I'm going to do something terrible to them!"

Samson said to them, “This time I will be blameless in doing harm to the Philistines.”

And Samson said unto them, This time shall I be blameless in regard of the Philistines, when I do them a mischief.

Commentary

Context

Judges 15:3 finds Samson at a pivotal moment, escalating his personal conflict with the Philistines. This verse immediately follows the Philistines' burning of Samson's Philistine wife and her father (as detailed in Judges 15:6), which itself was a retaliatory act for Samson's previous actions, including his riddle and the betrayal by his wife and her people (Judges 14:19-20). Samson's statement here marks his self-justification for further violence against the Philistines, viewing their actions as having crossed a line that absolves him of blame for his upcoming "displeasure." This intense personal vendetta is intertwined with God's broader purpose to deliver Israel from Philistine oppression during the chaotic period of the Judges.

Key Themes

  • Retaliation and Vengeance: Samson's primary motivation is clearly payback for the personal affront and tragedy he has suffered. He is driven by a desire for retribution, which shapes much of his narrative in the Book of Judges.
  • Self-Justification: The phrase "Now shall I be more blameless than the Philistines" reveals Samson's internal reasoning. He believes that the Philistines' recent actions have made him morally superior in the conflict, giving him a righteous cause for his intended harm. This highlights a recurring aspect of Samson's character: acting on personal impulses while often viewing himself as justified.
  • Escalation of Conflict: This verse marks a significant turning point, indicating Samson's intent to intensify his one-man war against the Philistines, leading to a series of dramatic acts of strength and destruction.
  • Flawed Deliverer: While Samson is raised up by God to begin the deliverance of Israel (Judges 13:5), his methods and motivations are often deeply personal and driven by passion rather than pure divine righteousness. This verse exemplifies his complex and often morally ambiguous character.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "blameless" is nāqâ (נָקָה), which can mean to be innocent, acquitted, or unpunished. Samson is asserting that he is now free from moral culpability for whatever harm he inflicts because the Philistines' actions have put them in the wrong. The term "displeasure" comes from the Hebrew rāʿâ (רָעָה), signifying evil, harm, or mischief. Samson is not merely seeking a mild inconvenience but intends to inflict significant damage, which he frames as a justified response.

Practical Application

Samson's declaration in Judges 15:3 offers a stark reminder of the human tendency toward self-justification and the dangers of personal vengeance. While the Old Testament often details God using imperfect individuals for His purposes, Samson's personal vendetta stands in contrast to the New Testament's call for forgiveness and leaving retribution to God. Believers are encouraged to avoid the cycle of "an eye for an eye" and instead to "Avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord" (Romans 12:19). This verse challenges us to examine our own motivations when wronged: Do we seek personal satisfaction or rely on God's ultimate justice and wisdom?

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Cross-References

  • Judges 14:15 (3 votes)

    And it came to pass on the seventh day, that they said unto Samson's wife, Entice thy husband, that he may declare unto us the riddle, lest we burn thee and thy father's house with fire: have ye called us to take that we have? [is it] not [so]?