MPV Commentary

His Riddle.

Samson proposed a riddle to his friends at the wedding celebration, a common practice in ancient Oriental culture where rewards were offered for solving the enigma. His riddle was related to honey found in a lion's carcass. The prize he offered was thirty shirts and thirty changes of clothing, likely woolen garments. For three days, his friends attempted to unravel the mystery without success as the festive week drew to a close.

In desperation, they secretly enlisted the help of Samson's newly married wife, who had discovered the answer and revealed it to her friends.

If you hadn't used my wife's assistance, you wouldn't have figured out my riddle. This metaphor is borrowed from agricultural pursuits where oxen, cows, and heifers are used for plowing. Without this aid, they would not have been able to solve the enigma. Some interpret this phrase in a negative sense, but it likely means that Samson's friends resorted to an unworthy tactic by using his wife's knowledge.

He Slays Thirty Philistines.

Samson went down to Ashkelon and killed thirty men from there. This town was about twenty-four miles west of Timnah, and Samson chose this location, guided by the divine Spirit, possibly due to its hostility towards Israel.

Samson took their spoils, a practice not typically seen in Hebrew warfare. His wife was given to his companion, who had acted as a friend during the wedding festivities, serving as an intermediary between Samson and his bride. Accepting her hand was a treacherous act that would inevitably provoke Samson's justified anger.