Samson lay until midnight, then arose at midnight and took hold of the doors of the gate of the city, with the two posts, and plucked them up, bar and all, and put them on his shoulders and carried them up to the top of the mountain that is before Hebron.
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 3. Bolt, (sera) which may translate, “lock.” Bible.—The doors of the Hebrews were fastened with bars tied in a curious manner, so as to require a sort of a key, and not to be opened but on the inside. Hebron was above thirty miles distant: but travellers mention a small hill, where they say the doors were left in the vicinity of Gaza; ( Calmet.) and the text does not assert that Samson carried them as far as Hebron. Bible.—He went out by that gate, contrary to the expectation of the Philistines, who supposed that he would go towards Thamnatha. If any saw him, none durst encounter the hero, as they had not yet forgotten the thousand slain with the jaw-bone. Salien.—The pagans confound their Hercules with Samson; (Saint Augustine Calmet. D. xviii. 19.) but the former durst not attack two at a time, whereas the latter engaged and slew many. Worthington.