Judges 15:1-20

15:6 | Based on the father-in-law’s admission in 15:2; it is clear to whom the pronouns in the following statement refer: he (father-in-law) has taken his (Samson’s) wife and given her to his (Samson’s) companion. Ironically, although Samson’s wife had tricked him in order to avoid being burned with fire (14:15), she ended up suffering this fate anyway. The promises of evil people cannot be trusted.

15:7-11 | Samson’s actions were motivated by revenge: As they did to me, so I have done to them. As a result, he used the strength God gave him for selfish purposes, when God expects His people to use their gifts for His purposes.

15:16 | No victory in the Christian life is ever won apart from the grace of God’s strength working through that individual. Samson failed to give credit for his strength to God, declaring instead, I have slain a thousand men! It was a pride that would eventually be his undoing.

15:18-19 | This is the only time in Samson’s life where we have a record of prayer, except for the one he prayed when he died. Samson recognized that his victory was really God’s victory, and in turn, God answered Samson’s prayer for water and then confirmed Samson as a judge of Israel for 20 years.