Judges 14:10-20
The Voice
10 His father went ahead to the Philistine woman, and Samson made a wedding feast with food and drink, as was the custom for young men being married. 11 The Philistines of the bridal party invited 30 men to serve as companions for Samson at the feast, since he had not brought any of his friends.
Samson (to the 30 young men): 12 I have a riddle for you. If you can solve it during the seven days we eat and drink here, I will give each of you a set of linen garments and a change of clothes. 13 If you cannot solve it in the seven days, then you will have to give me 30 linen garments and 30 sets of clothes.
Thirty Men: Ask away. What is your riddle?
14 Samson: Out of the eater came something to eat,
and out of the strong came something sweet.
For three days the young men puzzled over Samson’s riddle. 15 On the fourth[a] day, they went to Samson’s wife and threatened her.
Thirty Men: Trick your husband, seduce him if necessary, whatever it takes to find out the answer to this riddle, or we will burn down your father’s house with you in it. Did you invite us to this party just to take away what is ours?
16 Samson’s wife went to him and wept in front of him.
Samson’s Wife: You say you love me, but you don’t. You asked my people a riddle, but you haven’t told me the answer.
Samson: I haven’t even told my parents the answer. Why should I tell you?
17 She went on crying until the seventh day of the feast; and, at last, because she continued to bother him, he told her the answer. Then she reported it to the young men, 18 so that before the sun went down on the last day of the feast, they knew the answer.
Thirty Men: What is sweeter than honey? And what is stronger than a lion?
Samson: If you hadn’t gone behind my back with my wife, you would never have found the answer to this riddle.
19 The Spirit of the Eternal came upon Samson, and he immediately received great strength. He went down to the Philistine town of Ashkelon where he killed 30 men, took their possessions, and gave their garments in payment to the young men who had answered his riddle. Then, furious, he left the feast and went back up to his father’s house, 20 and Samson’s wife was instead given to the companion who had been his best man.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- 14:15 Hebrew reads, “seventh.”
The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved.
