On the seventh day, they said to Samson’s wife, “Entice your husband, that he may declare to us the riddle, lest we burn you and your father’s house with fire. Have you called us to impoverish us? Isn’t that so?”
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 15. Seventh day of the week, (Salien) which was the fourth of the feast; and the Syr. Arab. and some editions of the Septuagint read, “the fourth.” The young men tried their skill for three days; when, despairing of success, they solicited Samson’s wife to draw the secret from him. She tried; but the seventh day being come, or at hand, ( Menochius.) the men began to threaten her, so that she became more importunate, and obtained her request. She had been weeping during a great part of the seven days, (verse 17. Calmet.) or perhaps she had begun to tease him from the beginning. Menochius.—Strip us. Septuagint “to impoverish us.” Homer (Odys. Z.) insinuates, that it was customary for the bride to furnish her attendants with white linen garments. These companions of Samson fear that they are going to be losers, by the honour which they do him. Calmet.—The compel his wife by threats to betray his secret, and still destroy her afterwards: thus persecutors frequently treat those who comply with they demands, and deny the faith. Worthington.