Tusite Novema 2, 2021
His father and mother did not know that it was from the Lord
He na‘e ‘ikai ‘ilo ‘e he‘ene tamai pe ko ‘ene fa‘ē, ko e me‘a mei he ‘Eiki ia
Fakamaau 14 (Judges 14)
(v. 4) He na‘e ‘ikai ‘ilo ‘e he‘ene tamai pe ko ‘ene fa‘ē, ko e me‘a mei he ‘Eiki ia, he‘ene kumi hano ava ke fai mo e kau Filisitia; he ko e taimi ko ia ko e kau Filisitia na‘e pule ki ‘Isileli.
(v. 4) His father and mother did not know that it was from the Lord, for he was seeking an opportunity against the Philistines. At that time the Philistines ruled over Israel.
G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible
This is the record of tragic things. The boy Samson had grown to manhood's estate full of strength and passion. Going to Timnah, he saw a woman of the Philistines and desired to take her to wife. His parents attempted to dissuade him, but he allowed himself to be swept by his passion and determined to realize his own desires. All through the transactions connected with this woman, he is seen as a man of animal strength, bold, adventurous, determined, and of sporting propensities. There is nothing to admire in him in all his doings.
Two things, however, in the course of the narrative arrest our attention. First, the statement, "His father and his mother knew not that it was of Jehovah" (verse Jdg 14:4 ) ; and, second, the declaration, "The Spirit of Jehovah came mightily upon him" (verse Jdg 14:19 ). In these statements the fact of the overruling of God is clearly revealed. The phrase, "It was of Jehovah," is used in the sense in which we find it inJoshua 11:20; Joshua 11:20. God makes even the wrath of man praise Him as He compels it to contribute to the accomplishment of His own purpose. This fact, however, in no sense justified the sin of Samson in seeking a wife of the Philistines in violation of the expressed commands of God. The impetuous passion in which he slew thirty men of the Philistines to pay his sporting debt was utterly reprehensible. Yet this also contributed to the purpose of God in the destruction of the Philistines.
David Guzik :: Study Guide for Judges 14
His father and mother did not know that it was of the Lord: As the rest of the chapter shows, some good ultimately came out of this ungodly marriage. Many Philistines were killed and they were kept off balance in their attempts to dominate the Israelites.
However, none of that justified Samson’s actions. Though God can make even the evil of man to serve His purposes, it never justifies the evil that man does.
He was seeking an occasion to move against the Philistines: In accomplishing this purpose, God did not make a reluctant Samson pursue the Philistine woman for marriage. God allowed Samson to do what he wanted to do, though the act itself was sinful. God allowed it for reasons in both Samson’s life and for reasons on a larger scale.
Someone today might justify their desire to marry a non-Christian because they trust some good will come out of it – such as their non-Christian partner eventually coming to Jesus. Things may work out that way, but even though God used Samson’s marriage to a Philistine woman, it all came at a great personal cost to Samson.
No matter how much good God can bring out of even the bad things we do, He can always bring far more good out of our obedience – and we ourselves experience much less pain.
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