¹⁸ while the Philistines^(A) had raided towns in the foothills and in the Negev of Judah. They captured and occupied Beth Shemesh, Aijalon^(B) and Gederoth,^(C) as well as Soko,^(D) Timnah^(E) and Gimzo, with their surrounding villages.

⁵⁷ before your wickedness was uncovered. Even so, you are now scorned^(A) by the daughters of Edom^[a](B) and all her neighbors and the daughters of the Philistines—all those around you who despise you.

²⁷ So I stretched out my hand^(A) against you and reduced your territory; I gave you over^(B) to the greed of your enemies, the daughters of the Philistines,^(C) who were shocked by your lewd conduct.

¹⁰ Zorah, Aijalon and Hebron. These were fortified cities^(A) in Judah and Benjamin.

⁹ but keep watching it. If it goes up to its own territory, toward Beth Shemesh,^(A) then the Lord has brought this great disaster on us. But if it does not, then we will know that it was not his hand that struck us but that it happened to us by chance.”

Samson’s Marriage

14 Samson^(A) went down to Timnah^(B) and saw there a young Philistine woman.

⁴⁸ In the hill country: