Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Judges 14:20
But Samson’s wife was [given] to his companion, whom he had used as his friend.
20. After this violent rupture, and to make up for the disgrace inflicted upon the bride, she was given to his groomsman who had acted as his groom; cf. Jdg 15:2; Jdg 15:6, St Joh 3:29. LXX. cod. A renders by the technical word , the leader of the bride.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
His companion – Perhaps one of those mentioned in Jdg 14:11. The transaction denotes loose notions of the sanctity of marriage among the Philistines. It should be noted carefully that the practical lesson against ungodly marriages comes out most strongly in this case and that the providential purpose which out of this evil brought discomfiture to the Philistines, has nothing to do with the right or wrong of Samsons conduct.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 20. But Samson’s wife was given to his companion] This was the same kind of person who is called the friend of the bridegroom, Joh 3:29. And it is very likely that she loved this person better than she loved her husband, and went to him as soon as Samson had gone to his father’s house at Zorah. She might, however, have thought herself abandoned by him, and therefore took another; this appears to have been the persuasion of her father, Jdg 15:2. But her betraying his secret and his interests to his enemies was a full proof he was not very dear to her; though, to persuade him to the contrary, she shed many crocodile tears; see Jdg 14:16. He could not keep his own secret, and he was fool enough to suppose that another would be more faithful to him than he was to himself. Multitudes complain of the treachery of friends betraying their secrets, &c., never considering that they themselves have been their first betrayers, in confiding to others what they pretend to wish should be a secret to the whole world! If a man never let his secret out of his own bosom, it is impossible that he should ever be betrayed.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Samsons wife was given, by her father, to the chief of the bridemen, to whom he had showed most respect and kindness.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
20. Samson’s wife was given to hiscompanion, whom he had used as his friendthat is, “thefriend of the bridegroom,” who was the medium of communicatingduring the festivities between him and his bride. The acceptance ofher hand, therefore, was an act of base treachery, that could notfail to provoke the just resentment of Samson.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
But Samson’s wife was given to his companion,…. By her father, and with her consent, both being affronted and provoked by Samson leaving her, who judged her not only to be injured, but hereby discharged from him, and free to marry another:
and whom he had used as his friend; though there were thirty of them that were his companions, yet there was one of them that was the principal of them, and was the most intimate with him, whom he used in the most friendly manner, and admitted to a more free conversation than the rest, the same that is called the friend of the bridegroom, Joh 3:29 while the others were called the children of the bridechamber, Mt 9:15. It is not unlikely that this person had too much intimacy with Samson’s wife before, and so had the secret of the riddle from her, and so very readily married her, as soon as Samson departed; and all this furnished out an occasion and opportunity, which Samson sought for, to be revenged on the Philistines, as in the following chapter.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(20) To his companion, whom he had used as his friendi.e., to the chief of the paranyraphs (the bride-conductor, LXX.); the friend of the bride-groom (Joh. 3:29). Hence, even if the suspicion as to the meaning of Samsons words in Jdg. 14:18 be unfounded, it is clear that there was treachery and secret hostility at work. Bunsen renders the phrase, to his companion, whose friend (amica) she was.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
20. To his companion One of the “thirty.” “To treason she adds infidelity. Meanness of disposition gives birth to every thing that is bad. It can neither love nor be faithful; but least of all can it comprehend such a man as Samson was.” Cassel.
Whom he had used as his friend Used most confidentially of the thirty, and had intrusted the most delicate matters to his hand. The one who was used for this purpose is called in the New Testament the friend of the bridegroom. Joh 3:29. The father of Samson’s wife understood from his anger that he utterly hated her, (Jdg 15:2,) and renounced all claim to her; but, instead of apologizing, or trying to turn away his wrath, he gave another exhibition of Philistine perfidy by giving her to a rival, and so made the breach utterly irreparable. Here notice how low was this Philistine’s notion of the sanctity of marriage.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘But Samson’s wife was given to his companion, whom he had used as his friend.’
Samson had chosen one of the thirty companions to be ‘the friend of the bridegroom’, the one who stood by him during the marriage feast (compare Joh 3:29). It may be that this man had not participated in the threats to the woman and was her close friend, or perhaps he saw his main opportunity to marry into a wealthy and influential family, for when she was seemingly left stranded and husbandless he stepped in and married her to console her and hide her shame.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Jdg 14:20. Samson’s wife was given to his companion Enraged at his wife for betraying, and at his companions for their mean proceedings; Samson returned to his father’s house, and left his wife with her own relations. She, looking upon herself as wholly forsaken, and willing perhaps to unite with her relations to show their resentment at Samson, was readily persuaded to marry one of his bride-men; one with whom he had been most familiar, who was peculiarly his friend, honoured possibly with the name of the friend of the bridegroom, and whose office it was to conduct the bride to her house. See St. Joh 3:29 and Selden de Uxor. Heb. as before.
REFLECTIONS.We have here,
1. Samson keeping his bridal feast. He did not refuse to comply with an innocent custom, nor would, on such an occasion, appear morose or singular. Note; Unnecessary singularity proceeds more from pride than piety.
2. Thirty young men are brought to do him honour on the occasion, and to be his companions during these festal days. Civility and respect are amiable, even in Philistines.
3. To exercise their ingenuity, Samson proposes a riddle to them. Note; (1.) Many dispensations of God seem, for a time, like this riddle, dark and inexplicable. (2.) The sweetest mercies of God to our souls come from the severest trials, as meat from the eater, and honey from the lion.
4. Three days do they in vain puzzle themselves to discover the secret; the fourth, which was the sabbath, or seventh day, they come to Samson’s wife, and threaten to burn her and her father’s house with fire, unless she would extort it from him, and save them the loss of their wager, though to her own husband’s great disadvantage: a request unreasonable, and a threatening most barbarous and inhuman. Note; (1.) Unreasonable and wicked men stop at nothing when their worldly interests are at stake. (2.) Wagers are always better avoided, as contrary to the spirit of the Gospel; but they are sure to be highly sinful, when their loss is such as may injure our circumstances or occasion the ruffling of our tempers.
5. This false and faithless woman immediately began to importune him for a discovery, upbraiding him with want of love, and plying him with tears, which he beheld with the tenderest emotions. In vain he expostulates on the unreasonableness of the demand, when he had not told even his parents; she wearies him with ceaseless importunity, till he can no longer resist her crocodile tears and unkind accusations; and on the seventh day he intrusts her with the important secret. Note; (1.) An inordinate love of women makes wise men fools. (2.) A woman’s tears are often her strongest argument: he must be more than Samson, who can steel his heart against them.
6. No sooner is the secret known, than she communicates it; perhaps the pride of her power operated as strongly as her fears or perfidy to make her eager to know, and hasty to reveal it. With this explication, they come to Samson before the seven days are expired, and claim the wager. He acknowledges it to be theirs; but hints their unfair dealing, in making use of his own wife to betray him. Note; (1.) When we trust a secret out of our own breast, we must not expect it will long continue such. (2.) Our corrupt affections are the heifer that Satan plows with, and by these he prevails.
7. Though the wager is lost, it shall not be at Samson’s cost; the Philistines shall rue it. The spirit of the Lord coming upon him to authorise and enable him for the work, he descends to Ashkelon, seizes thirty Philistines, slays and strips them, and with these garments pays his companions. And now, from experience of their perfidy, heartily sick of his wife and them, he leaves the country, and retires to his father’s house. Note; (1.) Ill-judged and rash marriages frequently end in unhappy separation. (2.) It were well if the ill usage of the world drove us out of it in affection, to seek our true rest at home with our God and Father.
8. No sooner has he turned his back, than his wife is given to his companion: perhaps, for his sake she had betrayed her husband’s secret, and now hesitates not to defile his bed. Note; (1.) A forsaken wife is in a dangerous state. (2.) The friendships of the world are often faithless. (3.) If a woman’s affections stray from her husband, it is to be, feared that her person will soon follow them.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
But Samson’s wife was given to his companion, whom he had used as his friend.
This is just as might have been expected. And is it not so now, and in every age? Is not the friendship of the world enmity with God? Jas 4:4 . And though Jesus hath so dearly purchased his church, and redeemed her with his blood; yet how often is she given to another, and in bondage.
REFLECTIONS
I WOULD pass over all other considerations in the perusal of this Chapter, to discover every feature which I can trace in this Nazarite, as pointing to the person and offices of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. And though I am a poor blind creature in such a study; yet do thou, Lord, teach me the wondrous things of’ thy law; and then shall I discern somewhat to comfort my mind in every part of thine holy word; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. Yes! blessed Jesus! I behold in the going down of thy servant to the Philistines, and tracing the wonderful events which followed, an emblem of thy gracious coming down for salvation-work to this lower world.
I view in the men of Timnath the baseness, treachery, and unprovoked anger of thine enemies! I behold nothing but perfidy and unfaithfulness in return for all thy favor, I see moreover, in this representation, not an unapt or distant allusion to the honey of thy gospel. How unexpected from such a quarter! How unsought for and overlooked! And what a riddle to the wisdom of this world, that God should have chosen weak things to confound the mighty. Oh! give me to eat of this honey, to be food to my soul, to recover from disease, to heal the wounds of sin. And however loathed by many, yet make me like the bee, earnest to gather it for my daily food. And be thou to me, dearest Jesus, in all thy person, relations, and offices, sweeter also than the honey, and the honey-comb.
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Jdg 14:20 But Samson’s wife was [given] to his companion, whom he had used as his friend.
Ver. 20. But Samson’s wife was given to his companion.] To his Paranymph a Joh 3:29 the first and chief brideman, his bosom friend, who haply had ploughed with this wanton heifer before. Wrongs done by a friend are more unsufferable. “It was thou, my friend,” Psa 55:13 saith David.
a Pronubus, N .
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
his friend This was strictly in accordance with the laws of Khammurabi, 159, 163, 164.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
given to: Jdg 15:2
his friend: Psa 55:12, Psa 55:13, Jer 9:5, Mic 7:5, Mat 26:49, Mat 26:50, Joh 3:29, Joh 13:18
Reciprocal: Gen 38:20 – his friend 1Sa 18:19 – Adriel 2Sa 13:3 – a friend
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
AN ILL-FATED UNION
Samsons wife was given to his companion.
Jdg 14:20
I. Samson had been brought up in the faith of the Lord God of Israel.He was in covenant with Him by circumcision. His religious duty was to love the Lord his God with all his heart, and to serve Him alone. His wife did not believe in the Lord, but was a worshipper of Dagon. There could therefore be no union for them in that great bond of union which is the living God. They had nothing in common to cement their hearts and interests together, and to bind their life into one. He was pleased with her beauty, and she was gratified by his admiration. That was all. And how long would that last? What strong temptation, what powerful motive of action, what great provocation, would those influences be able to withstand? What promise did they give of unity of sentiment and harmony of conduct amid the intricacies of conflicting duties? One week in their case was sufficient to supply the answer to these questions. A betrayed husband, a deserted wife, discord, strife, bloodshed, were the fruit of seven days of this ill-assorted union. The wife married to another husband is cut off by murderous hands in the prime of her youth and beauty. The husband married to another wife is again betrayed and given up to his enemies to be mocked, and blinded, and to die.
II. We seem, therefore, to be taught by the ill-starred marriage of Samson with the Timnathite, as forcibly as by the blessed union of his father and mother, what to seek and what to avoid in choosing a partner for life. The union of two souls in the love of God and in the faith of the Lord Jesus Christ; the union of two minds in all rational and sober pursuits, whether intellectual, political, or social; the identity of interests; the community of purpose to make the most of what God has given to each for the common stock of happiness; the care of each for the other as the first human duty, and the faithfulness of each to the other in the whole series of actions, from the least to the greatestthis is the ideal of Christian wedlock to which we are led by the failures of the one as well as by the virtues of the other.
Bishop Lord Arthur Hervey.
Illustrations
(1) Samson in slaying the lion, and the bees in swarming in its carcase, did things which were links in the chain of events which God foresaw, or fore-ordained, as He did also the effects of Samsons marriage with the Philistine. But just as the bees only followed their instinct in building their hive, so Samson, in fixing his affections on the Timnathite, and in attacking the lion, and in eating the honey, and in propounding the riddle, and in avenging himself for his wifes treachery, was merely following the bent of his own inclinations and the leading of his own will, though in so doing he was bringing about Gods purpose for the deliverance of Israel. The most trivial events may be necessary links in the great chain; and while men are blindly following their own inclinations, with little thought and no knowledge of what will come of them, God is making use of them with unerring wisdom to work out His own eternal purposes for the good of His people and for the glory of His own great name.
(2) I wish Manoah could speak so loud that all our Israelites might hear him: Is there never a woman among the daughters of thy brethren, or among all Gods people, that thou goest to take a wife of the uncircumcised Philistines? If religion be any other than a cipher, how dare we not regard it in our most important choice? Is she a fair Philistine? Why is not this deformity of the soul more powerful to dissuade us than the beauty of the face or of metal to allure us?
(3) The Philistines had threatened Samsons wife that if she did not obtain and disclose her husbands secret, they would burn her and her fathers house with fire. She, to save herself and oblige her countrymen, betrayed her husband; and now by so doing brought upon herself the very doom which she so studiously sought to avoid.
(4) How often it happens that strong, athletic men, who could withstand the onset of a handful of armed foes, cannot resist one unholy desire, and are constantly being brought into subjection to some secret sin. Samson was peculiarly liable to the assaults of impurity. Truly the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong. The weakest child of God, who is living in the Spirit, will conquer in that battle which will be too much for the strongest man who relies on his own might.
Fuente: Church Pulpit Commentary
Jdg 14:20. Samsons wife was given, by her father, to his companion, &c. That is, to the chief of the bride-men, to whom he had shown most respect and kindness. This aggravated the insult that was offered to Samson, in proportion as this person had been more familiar with him, and had been treated by him in a more friendly manner than the rest that afforded him their company. This ungenerous friend might possibly be the man distinguished by the appellation of the friend of the bridegroom. See Joh 3:29.