CHAPTER XVI.

ANALYSIS.

Samson escapes from the people of Gaza. Carries away the city gates. He is betrayed by his wife Delilah. Loses his sight and liberty. Pulls down the house upon the Philistines and dies.

NOTES.

V. 1. "Gaza" (= the strong). See note, chap. i., 18. V. 3. "An hill that is before Hebron." This may be understood in one of two ways—

(i.) Facing Hebron, which is about 40 miles from Gaza.

(ii.) In the direction of Hebron.

The latter is the more likely. The exact situation of the hill is not known; some place it about a mile S.S.E. of Gaza, others 30 or 40 miles from Gaza. Milton, in his "Samson Agonistes," considers this hill as the "Hill of Hebron."

"Then by main force pulled up, and on his shoulders bore The gates of Azza, post and massy bar,

Up to the hill of Hebron, seats of giants old,

No journey of a Sabbath-day, and loaded so."

V. 4. "In the valley of Sorek." Sorek (= torrent bed) was a village somewhere in the neighbourhood of Zorah, Samson's birthplace.

"Delilah" (= delicate), Samson's second wife. This is a common name for girls in Maltese poetry.

V. 5. “And the lords of the Philistines." These were five in number, viz., Gaza, Gath, Ekron, Ashdod, and Ashkelon.

"Eleven hundred pieces of silver." This large reward shows the importance of the capture of Samson. In our own money it was equivalent to about £675. being worth about £135, 1 shekel = 2s. 4d.

1,100 shekels

V. 7. " Seven green withs"-i.e., "Seven new cords (or ropes). These were tough, pliant wood twisted in the form of a cord or rope.

V. 13, 14. "If thou weavest the seven locks of my head with the web. And she fastened it with the pin." The technical terms used, and the contraction of the account, make the meaning of these verses rather obscure. To make it clear we ought to add a line which is found in the Greek version of the Old Testament. The verses would then read, "If thou interweavest the seven locks of my head with that web, and fasten them to the pin, I shall become weak, and be as another man. So while he was asleep she interwove the seven locks of his head with the web, and she fastened them to the pin."

The idea was suggested to Samson from his wife having the loom in the room at the time.

From the account it would also seem that Samson wore his hair in seven plaits or curls. A kind of superstition being attached to the number seven.

V. 23. "Dagon" (= fish). Dagon was the national idol of the Philistines. His form was a fish, as the name Dag signifies, but he had human hands, feet, and body (1 Sam. v., 4). There was a temple for Dagon, both at

Ashdod and Gaza. This reminds us of the circumstance when the Philistines, in the time of Eli captured the Ark; they placed it in the temple of Dagon, at Ashdod. The result was that the idol fell down and was broken into pieces.

▼ 26. In many of these passages the student would do well to refer to Milton's "Samson Agonistes," where he will find this and other passages well set forth, e.g. :—

The building was a spacious theatre,

Half round, on two main pillars, vaulted high, &c.—Line 1605. V. 28. In this verse Samson uses three different titles of

the Almighty

(i.) Samson called unto the Lord (i.e., Jehovah).

(ii.) O Lord God (i.e., O Lord Jehovah), remember me.

(iii.) I pray thee, only this once, O God (i.e., Elohim).

"That I may at once be avenged." Literally, “And I will be avenged with one vengeance." He seems to have forgotten the words of the Lord, "Vengeance is Mine." V. 31. "Zorah and Eshtaol." See notes, chap. xiii.

EXAMINATION QUESTIONS.

1. The Philistines offered Delilah, Samson's wife, a reward for the discovery of the secret of her husband's strength. What was it? 2. Relate the occasions on which Samson was bound with cords or otherwise, stating the results in each case.

3. Where, besides in the Bible, do you get a good description of the matters related in this chapter? Mention the lines which describe the

"falling of the house."

4. How did Samson bring about his own ruin?

5. In what respect was Samson's judging Israel different from that of all the other judges?

6. Can his last act towards the Philistines be in any way justified? 7. The geographical position of Hebron, Gaza, Sorek, Eshtaol, and give events connected with each.

8. What, in English money, was the amount of the reward offered to Delilah for discovering the source of Samson's strength?

9. Explain the allusions

(i.) Let me die with the Philistines.

(ii.) And he wist not that the Lord was departed from him.

(iii.) Behold, thou has mocked me and told me lies.

(iv.) See
(v.) When it is day we shall kill him.

CHAPTER XVII.

ANALYSIS.

The theft and image worship of Micah. A Levite is appointed as Micah's priest.

NOTES.

The time in which the events recorded in this and the following chapters is much earlier than that of those recorded in the chapters immediately preceding. These must have taken place immediately after Joshua's death. Hence this chapter in point of time ought to follow chapter iii. The only connection between it and chapter xvi. is that we are still dealing with the tribe of Dan.

V. 1. "Micah" (who is like Jehovah). Scripture does not mention the name of his father nor his mother. Hence we are left ignorant of his parentage.

66

V. 2. Eleven hundred shekels." See note chapter xvi.

V. 3. "To make a graven image and a molten image." Micah's mother obviously had no knowledge of the Ten Commandments. For there we have as a commandment "Thou shalt not make any graven image." That she should have been ignorant of these matters is not to be wondered at in those troubled and unsettled times.

V. 5. "Ephod." See note, chap. viii., 27.

"Teraphim" (=prosperity). These were small images of worship, corresponding to the Latin Penates (or household gods). Sometimes they were the size of a man. (1 Sam. xix., 13, 16.)

V. 6. This verse clearly proves the statement that the Book of Judges was written after the establishment of a kingly government.

V. 7. "Of the family"=" of the tribe."

V. 8. "Mount Ephraim," ie., the hill country of Ephraim.

V. 13. "I have a Levite to my priest." In this passage it is worthy of notice that an ordinary Levite could not act as priest unless he were of the family of Aaron. Korah was a Levite, but was consumed by fire when he dared to offer incense before the tabernacle.

EXAMINATION QUESTIONS.

1. To what period of time would you refer the events of this chapter? Give your reason.

2. Relate how Micah's house of God was set up and equipped.

3. What made him think that his arrangement would be satisfactory to God, and that he would prosper ?

4. Which branch of the Levites had a right to the priesthood? Relate an incident in which God showed his anger when this law of the priesthood was broken.

5. What were the ephod and teraphim.

6. Which Commandment was broken by Micah's family? Give it in full.

7. Three special sins of Micah are mentioned in this chapter. Name them.

8. Explain the allusions

(i.) I am a Levite of Bethlehem-Judah.

(ii.) Blessed be thou of the Lord, my son.

(iii). The silver is with me. I took it.