161 Now Samson went to Gaza and saw a harlot e there , and went in to her. 2 When it was told to the Gazites , saying , "Samson has come here ," they surrounded the place and lay in wait for him all night at the gate of the city . And they kept silent all night , saying , "Let us wait until the morning light , then we will kill him." 3 Now Samson lay until midnight e , and at midnight e he arose and took hold of the doors of the city gate and the two posts and pulled them up along with the bars ; then he put them on his shoulders and carried them up to the top of the mountain which is opposite e Hebron .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Judges 16:1-3
Commentary on Judges 16:1-3
(Read Judges 16:1-3)
Hitherto Samson's character has appeared glorious, though uncommon. In this chapter we find him behaving in so wicked a manner, that many question whether or not he were a godly man. But the apostle has determined this, Hebrews 11:32. By adverting to the doctrines and examples of Scripture, the artifices of Satan, the deceitfulness of the human heart, and the methods in which the Lord frequently deals with his people, we may learn useful lessons from this history, at which some needlessly stumble, while others cavil and object. The peculiar time in which Samson lived may account for many things, which, if done in our time, and without the special appointment of Heaven, would be highly criminal. And there might have been in him many exercises of piety, which, if recorded, would have reflected a different light upon his character. Observe Samson's danger. Oh that all who indulge their sensual appetites in drunkenness, or any fleshly lusts, would see themselves thus surrounded, way-laid, and marked for ruin by their spiritual enemies! The faster they sleep, the more secure they feel, the greater their danger. We hope it was with a pious resolution not to return to his sin, that he rose under a fear of the danger he was in. Can I be safe under this guilt? It was bad that he lay down without such checks; but it would have been worse, if he had laid still under them.