Message Notes

SAMSON AS A YOUNG MAN

1. Saw and liked a Philistine woman Judges 14:1

2. Request parents to arrange a marriage Judges 14:2

a) Objection of parents to this request Judges 14:3

b) Samson’s insistence Judges 14:3

GOD’S WILL

1. Allowed by the Lord Judges 14:4

2. This will give cause for Samson to fight the Philistines Judges 14:4

a) Hitherto he had not fought the Philistines

b) He had not risen up to his task of being a judge to deliver Israel

EN ROUTE TO MAKE A MARRIAGE PROPOSAL

1. Encountering a lion Judges 14:5

2. Empowering of Samson by the Spirit of God Judges 14:6

a) Slaying of the lion

b) Lion torn asunder- bare handed

3. Meeting with the Philistine woman

a) Confirmation that Samson liked the Philistine woman of Timnah Judges 14:7

b) Marriage would go ahead

RETURNING TO TIMNAH FOR THE WEDDING

1. Returning to Timnah to marry the Philistine woman Judges 14:7

2. Saw a beehive formed on the carcase of the lion Judges 14:8

3. The wedding feast Judges 14:10-11

a) Seven day feast Judges 14:12

b) A riddle and a bet Judges 14:12-13

c) The prize: 30 linen garments and 30 changes of garments Judges 14:13

4. Attempts to solve the riddle

a) Failure for 7 days Judges 14:14

b) Threatening Samson’s wife Judges 14:15
Threat to burn down the house of the parents of Samson’s wife

5. Samson’s wife

a) Weeping for seven days Judges 14:17

b) Giving in to the pleas of his wife Judges 14:17

6. Answer to riddle given Judges 14:18

7. Anger of Samson

a) He knew the men had used threats to obtain the answer Judges 14:18

b) He had to pay the bet

8. Paying the bet

a) He went to the city of Ashkelon (major city of the Philistines)

b) He took from them their apparel (spoils of war) and paid the bet

c) He returned home to Israel in great anger

9. Samson’s wife
She was given to his best man Judges 14:20

a) Insult to Injury

b) Aggravation of anger towards the Philistines