Then his father and his mother said to him, “Isn’t there a woman among your brothers’ daughters, or among all my people, that you go to take a wife of the uncircumcised Philistines?” Samson said to his father, “Get her for me, for she pleases me well.”
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 3. Eyes. He probably informed his parents ( Bible.) that he was inspired by the Lord, verse 4. Worthington.—The Jews say that he had first converted this woman; and interpreters generally excuse his conduct. But Saint Ambrose thinks that he forfeited God’s grace; (ep. 19) and Theodoret also supposes that he transgressed the law, (Exodus 34:12) and God only permitted him to fall in love with women, without approving his conduct, q. 21. The Scripture often says, that he does and wills what he only permits. Exodus 4:21. Joshua 11:20. Calmet.—If the conversion of this woman were well attested, there would be no difficulty about his marrying her, as Salmon did Rahab. S. Matthew 1:5. We have only conjecture that the women whom these and other holy personages espoused, embraced the true faith. But these may suffice in a matter of this nature. We cannot condemn Samson on this occasion, without involving his parents in the same censure, as they were charged to keep him from any contamination. Saint Ambrose justly observes that a woman was the occasion of his fall, but he might allude to Dalilia. Calmet. 16:4. It seems hard to pass sentence on this judge of Israel, on his first appearance, without the most cogent reasons. See Lyran, A. Lapide, and so forth Bible.—Hebrew “She is right in my eyes.” His parents were at length convinced that he was directed by God. Tirinus.