Judges 15:1-20
Samson went back to Timnah to claim his wife, but as we mentioned before, she had been given to someone else. Enter Samson's anger. As payback for giving his daughter to the best man when he thought Samson hated her, Samson rounded up 300 foxes tied them by their tails in pairs, tied and lit torches on each pair and set them loose. They burned all the Philistines' grain and vineyards and olive groves, basically destroying all their cash crops.
Then the Philistines got mad (understandably) and demanded to know who was responsible. When they found out who and why, they set fire to the father and daughter. But wait, there's more. So now Samson is angered again and vows to avenge their deaths (not completely sure why, at which point he waged a one-man war against the Philistines and killed several before leaving to live in a cave in Etam.
Now it's the Philistines' turn again. They attacked the tribe of Judah and set up camp there, spreading out near Lehi. Recall that Samson is from the tribe of Dan and grew up in Zorah living in Etam. Therefore, the men of Judah were obviously confused and concerned about this occupation. So they asked the Philistines why they were there. When they replied that they were looking for Samson, they were so happy to turn him over. In fact, 3,000 men of Judah went and collected him from the cave themselves, tied him in ropes and handed him over to them.
Samson's only concern was that they not kill him themselves, and they didn't. But as they were turning him over, and the Philistines were starting their victory party, Samson broke free and used the jawbone of a donkey to kill 1,000 of the Philistines. Then he started his own victory party, boasting of what he had done - no mention of the strength God gave him to do it. Then all of a sudden he's thirsty and who does he call on, but God - in quite a sarcastic manner at that! But God, in his infinite mercy, heard his cry and gave him water from a hollow in the ground. Somehow after that, he became Israel's judge for the next 20 years.
Each round of retaliation got bigger and bigger and involved more and more people who had nothing to do with the original offense. And that is the way revenge goes. No one is ever really satisfied and there is always room for more backlash in the future. The only true way to completely end grievances is not through revenge, but forgiveness.
So I pray, Lord, help us to forgive and leave vengeance to you. It is yours as are our battles. We have but to trust you and your Word and that you will do exactly what you said. Cover us with your love so we can share it with others; even those who offend us. Give us understanding and patience and a heart for peace. And let us always give you the glory for the things that you do for us. Thank you, Lord, for your grace and mercy. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
Samson went back to Timnah to claim his wife, but as we mentioned before, she had been given to someone else. Enter Samson's anger. As payback for giving his daughter to the best man when he thought Samson hated her, Samson rounded up 300 foxes tied them by their tails in pairs, tied and lit torches on each pair and set them loose. They burned all the Philistines' grain and vineyards and olive groves, basically destroying all their cash crops.
Then the Philistines got mad (understandably) and demanded to know who was responsible. When they found out who and why, they set fire to the father and daughter. But wait, there's more. So now Samson is angered again and vows to avenge their deaths (not completely sure why, at which point he waged a one-man war against the Philistines and killed several before leaving to live in a cave in Etam.
Now it's the Philistines' turn again. They attacked the tribe of Judah and set up camp there, spreading out near Lehi. Recall that Samson is from the tribe of Dan and grew up in Zorah living in Etam. Therefore, the men of Judah were obviously confused and concerned about this occupation. So they asked the Philistines why they were there. When they replied that they were looking for Samson, they were so happy to turn him over. In fact, 3,000 men of Judah went and collected him from the cave themselves, tied him in ropes and handed him over to them.
Samson's only concern was that they not kill him themselves, and they didn't. But as they were turning him over, and the Philistines were starting their victory party, Samson broke free and used the jawbone of a donkey to kill 1,000 of the Philistines. Then he started his own victory party, boasting of what he had done - no mention of the strength God gave him to do it. Then all of a sudden he's thirsty and who does he call on, but God - in quite a sarcastic manner at that! But God, in his infinite mercy, heard his cry and gave him water from a hollow in the ground. Somehow after that, he became Israel's judge for the next 20 years.
Each round of retaliation got bigger and bigger and involved more and more people who had nothing to do with the original offense. And that is the way revenge goes. No one is ever really satisfied and there is always room for more backlash in the future. The only true way to completely end grievances is not through revenge, but forgiveness.
So I pray, Lord, help us to forgive and leave vengeance to you. It is yours as are our battles. We have but to trust you and your Word and that you will do exactly what you said. Cover us with your love so we can share it with others; even those who offend us. Give us understanding and patience and a heart for peace. And let us always give you the glory for the things that you do for us. Thank you, Lord, for your grace and mercy. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
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