Where is the chink in your armor?
As was the custom for weddings at the time, the Philistine people gathered some thirty young men as companions to be with him (11). These men were to serves as bridegrooms’ and part of a seven-day feast and celebration. At the beginning of this feast, our hero decides to test his thirty guests with a riddle (12) and a wager which amounted to thirty linen garments and changes of clothing (13). What he didn’t expect was for his “wedding companions” to intimidate and frighten his new wife. They were so bent on winning they terrified her, if she didn’t cooperate, they would burn her and her family (15). Fearing them more than fearing God or her husband, she uses tears and pressure to manipulate Samson into explaining the riddle. At the end of the week, she nags him so much he gives in and tells her the answer (16-17).
It’s not hard to imagine that Samson feels like he has them over a barrel and is most likely proud of himself for being so clever. Scooping honey from the carcass of the lion was an isolated incident, an event his companions would have had no complete knowledge unless they were there. Without the help of his wife, it would be almost impossible for these guys to solve or save face. At the end of the week, his “Philistine companions” give the answer and foul his plans for winning the game. If they had not manipulated his wife, they would not have solved the riddle. Samson could kill a lion with his bare hands, but he could not overcome the flow of tears nor the continuing pressure of an attractive woman.
- What motives are behind the riddle?
- Have you ever let someone talk you into doing something you did not want to do or reveal?
- What lessons can you learn about this chink in his armor?
It’s not hard to imagine that Samson feels like he has them over a barrel and is most likely proud of himself for being so clever. Scooping honey from the carcass of the lion was an isolated incident, an event his companions would have had no complete knowledge unless they were there. Without the help of his wife, it would be almost impossible for these guys to solve or save face. At the end of the week, his “Philistine companions” give the answer and foul his plans for winning the game. If they had not manipulated his wife, they would not have solved the riddle. Samson could kill a lion with his bare hands, but he could not overcome the flow of tears nor the continuing pressure of an attractive woman.
- What motives are behind the riddle?
- Have you ever let someone talk you into doing something you did not want to do or reveal?
- What lessons can you learn about this chink in his armor?
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