Judges 16:18

¶ And when Delilah saw that he had told her all his heart, she sent and called for the lords of the Philistines, saying, Come up this once, for he hath shewed me all his heart. Then the lords of the Philistines came up unto her, and brought money in their hand.

And when Delilah {H1807} saw {H7200} that he had told {H5046} her all his heart {H3820}, she sent {H7971} and called {H7121} for the lords {H5633} of the Philistines {H6430}, saying {H559}, Come up {H5927} this once {H6471}, for he hath shewed {H5046} me all his heart {H3820}. Then the lords {H5633} of the Philistines {H6430} came up {H5927} unto her, and brought {H5927} money {H3701} in their hand {H3027}.

When D'lilah saw that he had really confided in her, she sent and summoned the chiefs of the P'lishtim with the message, "Come up this one last time, because he has finally told me the truth." The chiefs of the P'lishtim went up to her and brought the money with them.

When Delilah realized that he had revealed to her all that was in his heart, she sent this message to the lords of the Philistines: “Come up once more, for he has revealed to me all that is in his heart.” Then the lords of the Philistines came to her, bringing the money in their hands.

And when Delilah saw that he had told her all his heart, she sent and called for the lords of the Philistines, saying, Come up this once, for he hath told me all his heart. Then the lords of the Philistines came up unto her, and brought the money in their hand.

Commentary

Judges 16:18 marks a pivotal moment in the tragic narrative of Samson, the Israelite judge endowed with supernatural strength. After numerous attempts, Delilah finally extracts the secret of his power, leading directly to his capture by the Philistines.

Context

This verse immediately follows Samson's revelation to Delilah that his strength resided in his uncut hair, a sign of his Nazarite vow to God. Delilah had repeatedly pressed him for this secret, driven by the immense financial reward offered by the lords of the Philistines. Previous attempts by Samson to deceive her (as seen in Judges 16:6, Judges 16:10, and Judges 16:13) had failed, but his persistent weakness for her eventually led him to betray his sacred trust. Delilah's immediate action upon hearing "all his heart" demonstrates her clear intent to fulfill her treacherous bargain.

Key Themes

  • Betrayal and Deception: Delilah's actions are the epitome of treachery, driven purely by greed. She exploits Samson's vulnerability for personal gain, highlighting the destructive nature of deceit.
  • Consequences of Compromise: Samson's repeated indulgence in unholy relationships and his willingness to play with temptation ultimately led to his downfall. This verse is the culmination of his spiritual and moral compromises.
  • Human Weakness: Despite his extraordinary physical strength, Samson demonstrates profound moral and spiritual weakness. His inability to resist Delilah's persistent nagging underscores the danger of succumbing to persistent temptation, even when one knows the intentions of the tempter.
  • The Price of Revelation: Samson's act of "telling her all his heart" signifies a complete surrender of his deepest secret and a profound, albeit misguided, trust. The immediate consequence is his capture and humiliation, showing the severe cost of revealing vulnerabilities to those who seek harm.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "told her all his heart" (Hebrew: וַיַּגֶּד־לָהּ אֶת־כָּל־לְבָבוֹ, vayyagged-lah et-kol-levavo) is significant. The word levav (heart) in Hebrew often refers not just to emotions but to the innermost being, the mind, will, and affections. Thus, Samson didn't just give information; he revealed his deepest secret, his very essence and the source of his unique relationship with God. This was a profound act of self-disclosure, tragically misplaced.

Practical Application

The story of Samson and Delilah, particularly this verse, serves as a powerful cautionary tale. It warns against:

  • Compromising with Sin: Samson's gradual yielding to temptation illustrates how small compromises can lead to catastrophic consequences. Believers are called to abstain from every form of evil.
  • Misplaced Trust: Samson foolishly trusted someone whose intentions were clearly hostile. We must be discerning about who we confide in, especially regarding our spiritual walk and vulnerabilities (Proverbs 14:15).
  • The Persistence of Temptation: Like Delilah, temptation often doesn't give up after the first or second attempt. It persists, seeking to wear down resistance. Vigilance and reliance on God's strength are crucial to stand firm (Ephesians 6:11).
  • Consequences of Disobedience: Samson's downfall highlights that even those uniquely gifted by God are not immune to the consequences of disobedience and moral failing.
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Cross-References

  • Matthew 26:15 (3 votes)

    And said [unto them], What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver.

  • 1 Timothy 6:10 (3 votes)

    For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

  • Judges 16:5 (3 votes)

    And the lords of the Philistines came up unto her, and said unto her, Entice him, and see wherein his great strength [lieth], and by what [means] we may prevail against him, that we may bind him to afflict him: and we will give thee every one of us eleven hundred [pieces] of silver.

  • Psalms 62:9 (2 votes)

    Surely men of low degree [are] vanity, [and] men of high degree [are] a lie: to be laid in the balance, they [are] altogether [lighter] than vanity.

  • Ephesians 5:5 (2 votes)

    For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

  • Proverbs 18:8 (2 votes)

    ¶ The words of a talebearer [are] as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.

  • Numbers 22:7 (2 votes)

    And the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian departed with the rewards of divination in their hand; and they came unto Balaam, and spake unto him the words of Balak.