1 Samson Takes a Philistine as His Wife Then Samson went down to Timnah and saw a woman in Timnah,oneof the daughters of the Philistines.
2 So he camebackup and told his father and 14:2 Lit mother, saying, mother, “I saw a woman in Timnah,oneof the daughters of the Philistines; so now, take her for me as a wife.”
3 But his father and his mother said to him, “Is there no woman among the daughters of your 14:3Lit brothers relatives, or among all 14:3Lit my our people, that you go to take a wife from the uncircumcised Philistines?” But Samson said to his father, “Take her for me, for she is right in my eyes.”
4 However, his father and mother did not know that it was of Yahweh, for He was seeking an occasion against the Philistines. Now at that time the Philistines were ruling over Israel.
5 Then Samson went down to Timnah with his father and mother, and they came as far as the vineyards of Timnah; and behold, a young lioncameroaring toward him.
6 And the Spirit of Yahweh 14:6Lit succeeded, rushed upon came upon him mightily, so that he tore it as one tears a young goat, though he had nothing in his hand; but he did not tell his father or mother what he had done.
7 So he went down and spoke to the woman; and she was right in the eyes of Samson.
8 Then he returned later to take her, and he turned aside to see the carcass of the lion; and behold, a swarm of bees and honey were in the body of the lion.
9 So he scraped 14:9Lit it the honey into his 14:9Lit palms hands and went on, eating as he went. Then he went to his father and mother, and he gavesometo them, and they ateit; but he did not tell them that he had scraped the honey out of the body of the lion.
10 Then his father went down to the woman; and Samson made a feast there, for the young men customarily did this.
11 Now it happened that when they saw him, they took thirty companions to be with him.
12 Then Samson said to them, “Let me now propound a riddle to you; if you will indeed tell it to me within the seven days of the feast and find it out, then I will give you thirty linen wraps and thirty changes of clothes.
13 But if you are unable to tell me, then you shall give me thirty linen wraps and thirty changes of clothes.” And they said to him, “Propound your riddle, that we may hear it.”
14 So he said to them,“Out of the eater came something to eat,And out of the strong came something sweet.”But they could not tell the riddle in three days.
15 Then it happened on the 14:15As in some ancient versions; M.T. seventh fourth day that they said to Samson’s wife, “Entice your husband, so that he will tell us the riddle, or we will burn you and your father’s house with fire. Have you invited us to impoverish us? Is this notso?”
16 So Samson’s wife wept before him and said, “You only hate me, and you do not love me; you have propounded a riddle to the sons of my people and have not tolditto me.” And he said to her, “Behold, I have not tolditto my father or mother; so should I tell you?”
17 However she wept before him seven days while their feast lasted. And on the seventh day he told her because she pressed him so hard. She then told the riddle to the sons of her people.
18 So the men of the city said to him on the seventh day before the sun went down,“What is sweeter than honey?And what is stronger than a lion?”And he said to them,“If you had not plowed with my heifer,You would not have found out my riddle.”
19 Then the Spirit of Yahweh 14:19Lit succeeded, rushed upon came upon him mightily, and he went down to Ashkelon and struck down thirty of them and took their spoil and gave the changesof clothesto those who told the riddle. And his anger burned, and he went up to his father’s house.
20 But Samson’s wife wasgivento his companion who had been his 14:20 Or best man friend.