Judges 14:10-20
1599 Geneva Bible
10 So his father went down unto the woman, and Samson made there a [a]feast: for so used the young men to do.
11 And when [b]they saw him, they brought thirty companions to be with him.
12 Then Samson said unto them, I will now put forth a riddle unto you: and if you can declare it me within seven days of the feast, and find it out, I will give you thirty sheets, and thirty [c]change of garments.
13 But if you cannot declare it me, then shall ye give me thirty sheets and thirty change of garments. And they answered him, Put forth thy riddle, that we may hear it.
14 And he said unto them, Out of the eater came meat, and out of the strong came sweetness: and they could not in three days expound the riddle.
15 And when the seventh day was [d]come, they said unto Samson’s wife, Entice thine husband that he may declare us the riddle, lest we burn thee and thy father’s house with fire. Have ye called us [e]to possess us? is it not so?
16 And Samson’s wife wept before him, and said, Surely thou hatest me, and lovest me not: for thou hast put forth a riddle unto the [f]children of my people, and hast not told it me. And he said unto her, Behold, I have not told it my father nor my mother, and shall I tell it thee?
17 Then Samson’s wife wept before him [g]seven days, while their feast lasted, and when the seventh day came, he told her, because she was importunate upon him: so she told the riddle to the children of her people.
18 And the men of the city said unto him the seventh day before the sun went down, What is sweeter than honey? and what is stronger than a Lion? Then said he unto them, [h]If ye had not plowed with my heifer, ye had not found out my riddle.
19 And the Spirit of the Lord came upon him, and he went down [i]to Ashkelon, and slew thirty men of them and spoiled them, and gave change of garments unto them, which expounded the riddle: and his wrath was kindled, and he went up to his father’s house.
20 Then Samson’s wife was given to his companion, whom he had used as his friend.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Judges 14:10 Meaning, when he was married.
- Judges 14:11 That is, her parents or friends.
- Judges 14:12 To wear at feasts, or solemn days.
- Judges 14:15 Or, drew near: for it was the fourth day.
- Judges 14:15 Or, to impoverish us.
- Judges 14:16 Unto them which are of my nation.
- Judges 14:17 Or, to the seventh day beginning at the fourth.
- Judges 14:18 If ye had not used the help of my wife.
- Judges 14:19 Which was one of the five chief cities of the Philistines.
Geneva Bible, 1599 Edition. Published by Tolle Lege Press. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without written permission from the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations in articles, reviews, and broadcasts.
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