Judges 14:10-14 – A Riddle
As Samson prepares for his wedding, he holds a feast, as was customary for the young men of that time to do. The kind of feast in question involved the drinking of wine, and so the Scripture at least implies, though it does not tell us for certain, that Samson violated another point of his Nazirite vow by drinking alcohol.
As part of their side of the preparations for the wedding, the Philistines send thirty companions for Samson to the feast. Samson makes them a wager – if they can answer a riddle which he will put to them, he will give each of them a new linen undergarment and change of clothes; if they cannot answer the riddle, each of them must give him a linen garment and change of clothes. His riddle concerns the honey he obtained from the lion he slew, “Out of the eater came something to eat; out of the strong came something sweet.” The companions have seven days in which to answer the riddle or they must each provide Samson with his prize.
Samson may only be trying to get something for free, but God is overruling these events to bring about His planned outcome. Samson’s riddle sets the stage for Samson’s conflict with the Philistines. Samson means to marry a Philistine woman, but God means to use him to defeat the oppressors of His people.
Questions
- Why might we think Samson violated his Nazirite vow not to drink alcohol?
- What does Samson hope to gain by putting his riddle to his companions?
- What is God’s plan for the outcome of these events?
Prayer Points
- Thank God that He sovereignly rules over all events, that nothing can change the outcome He intends.
- Use prayer points from your congregation.
- Pray for family matters.