MPV Commentary

Samson Carries Away the Gates of Gaza.

The city of Gaza was the capital of one of the five main Philistine cities, located about 15 miles southwest of Ashkelon. The purpose of Samson's visit to this city is not recorded, but it would have been a perilous move for him to be in an enemy stronghold unless he had gone incognito. It soon became known that he was there, and the Gazites decided to capture him. However, they delayed their plan until morning, confident that they could easily apprehend him.

Samson arose at midnight and took the doors of the city gate, which were a part of the town wall. This ruin is still visible today near Hebron. The gates were likely heavy and cumbersome, with bolts attached to them. Samson carried these massive structures up to the top of a hill called El-Montar, located before the mountains of Hebron. To accomplish this feat in one night was an incredible achievement, especially considering the weight of the gates and the distance from Gaza to the hill.