It came to pass afterward that he loved a woman in the valley of Sorek, whose name was Delilah.
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 4. After this. The lamentable fall of Samson took place in the last year of his administration, when Heli, of the house of Thamar, succeeded Achitob I. in the high priesthood. A.Calmet. 1154. Salien.—Sorec was not far from Saraa, where Samson was born. It probably belonged to the Philistines, as Dalila is generally supposed to have been of that nation, and most people believe a harlot. Calmet.—Adrichomius says the eunuch was here baptized. Tirinus.—Dalila. Some are of opinion she was married to Samson; others that she was his harlot. If the latter opinion be true, we cannot wonder that, in punishment of his lust, the Lord delivered him up by her means into the hands of his enemies. However, if he was guilty, it is not to be doubted, but that under his afflictions, he heartily repented and returned to God, and so obtained forgiveness of his sins. Challoner.—Dolol means, “to be impoverished or weakened,” as Samson was in all respects by this wicked woman.