Samson tells his parents he wants to marry a Philistine woman from Timnah. His parents are disappointed by Samon’s intentions to take a Gentile wife. Samson brings them to his wedding banquet at Timnah. When he spots a lion along the way, he fearlessly fights and kills it. A beehive later begins to form on the lion’s carcass. When Samson sees this, he takes some of the honey and eats it. Upon arriving at the feast, Samson poses a riddle to his guests: “Out of the eater came something to eat, and out of the strong came something sweet” (Judges 14:14). Samson promises the men gathered there that he will give them thirty robes if they solve this puzzle.
The Philistines are befuddled. They cannot solve the riddle. They threaten Samson’s wife, saying that they will burn her and her household to death if she doesn’t provide the answer. After she pesters him for a few days, Samson finally reveals the answer: from the strong lion came honey. In other words: good can emerge from evil. The Philistines come to Samson and provide him with the correct answer. Samson displays extraordinary courage in fighting the lion and the Philistines. He is driven by a sense of purpose and is willing to pay the price necessary for achieving his goals.
“Is there never a woman among the daughters of thy brethren, or among all my people, that thou goest to take a wife of the uncircumcised Philistines?”(Judges 14:3)
“a young lion roared against him. And the spirit of the LORD came mightily upon him” (Judges 14:5-6)
“Out of the eater came forth meat, and out of the strong came forth sweetness” (Judges 14:14)
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