Samson's Wife: Jesus' Relationships with Mankind


Many of the names are followed by their Hebrew meanings in bracketed text.

Samson [the sunlight] went to down to Timnah [the allotted place] where he saw a woman that he wanted to marry; She was a Philistine [one who crawls in the dust]. – Judges 14:1-2

His Purpose

We read in the previous section that Samson’s name means sunlight, and through this allegory points to Jesus who is the light of men (John 1:1-4). When He created mankind, His love was so great that He wanted to be joined with them for all eternity (John 3:16). Even before the earth was created and before the rebellion occurred, it was determined that Jesus was going to conquer sin and death in this world so that we can be joined with Him for eternity (Read how the Days of Creation explain Jesus’ purpose).

Samson [the light] went to a woman who was not one of his own race. – Judges 14:3

The Son of God left everything behind in heaven so that He could come down to be with us –all of us –His treasured creation (Philippians 2:5-8).

God used Samson to confront Israel’s enemy which was ruling over her. – Judges 14:4

God sent His Son down from heaven to earth in order to confront our enemy –sin and death (John 3:17, 1 Corinthians 5:21). Mankind has been under its control of since the fall.

The opposite of “The Light”, which refers to both Samson and Jesus, is “darkness.” Darkness is a symbol of spiritual death –separation from God. And that darkness is dispelled by The Light (1 John 1:5-7). Spiritual death has been overcome by Jesus, the Life (John 14:6) and the Light of men (John 1:4).

The Lion and Honey Riddle

As he, and his mother and father, approached the vineyards a lion attacked. – Judges 14:5

This certainly has hints that the three parts of the Trinity wanted to approach the prospective bride. It’s here that the story takes a turn to deal with a lion. What is the lion? Of course, it’s Satan’s power (1 Peter 5:8-9). Where was the lion dealt with? It was at the vineyard –where wine comes from. Jesus explained wine’s symbolism at the Last Supper as He prepared for the cross where He would pour out His blood as a drink offering for us (Matthew 26:27-28).

Samson killed the lion while his parents were not present. – Judges 14:6

Jesus was all alone when He took away Satan’s power over us (1 Corinthians 15:57; 1 John 4:16-18). He had been abandoned by His Father (Matthew 27:45-46) and given up His Spirit (Matthew 27:50).

He met and liked the Philistine woman. – Judges 14:7

While He was here on earth, His life was intertwined with all humanity and He was pleased to call us His brothers (John 15:15). By His death for our sin Jesus demonstrated the magnitude of His love (John 15:13). He came to meet us in our life situations and experience those same hurts and rejections that we endure (Isaiah 53:2-3).

Samson returned later to marry the woman. – Judges 14:8

There will be a day when Jesus will return as He has promised. It will be at just the right time (Matthew 24:36). He will gather all who put their faith in Him (Matthew 24:31-32). He will also gather those who did not put their trust in Him (Matthew 24:50-51). Samson’s wife foreshadows what happens with both sets of people.

He had taken sweet honey away from stinging bees and out of the roaring lion. And he gave some to his parents. – Judges 14:8-9

By Jesus’ death, Satan’s power over us was destroyed –the lion was killed and only it’s carcass remains. The gospel –the good news– is like honey. It is sweet and healthy for us. And what is represented by the stinging bees? They jealously protect their honey from being consumed by anyone else. And their poison can bring death. The bees are like religion and the people who perpetuate it. (1 Corinthians 15:55-57).

According to 1 Corinthians 15:56, “The sting of death is sin.” That verse goes on to say “and the power of sin is the law.” The poison that kills –at least disables– us is sin. The object that delivers the poison into our body is the law which comes through religious teaching. When Jesus died, He took away the law so that Satan is powerless over us. Our enemy is powerless! The overwhelming amount of Scriptures that show this to be the case are shown in the section Die to the Law.

But what does it mean that he gave some of it to his parents? The Father is the Judge and has authority to grant life. The Holy Spirit lives within us reminding us of what the Son has done. Jesus is the author of life and offers it to everyone.

Judged with Whose Righteousness?

Samson held a seven day wedding feast with his father to honor his marriage. Guests were invited and clothing was offered as a reward for answering his riddle. – Judges 14:12-14

The seven days identified here correspond to the 70th week described in Daniel chapter 9. They refer to the seven year tribulation period which is found woven through the book of Revelation. At that time, all of mankind –lost and saved– will have the opportunity to answer the “great riddle” –the gospel message.

Samson asked his enemies to answer his riddle: “Out of the eater, something to eat; out of the strong, something sweet.” The eater –the lion representing the overwhelming power that Satan had over us– was destroyed. The offer of new life comes without demands, without expectations, without the fear of penalty.

Like Samson, Jesus will be asking people, “Do you know what is required to enter the kingdom of heaven?” Of course the answer is “trusting in Jesus to have provided everything” (1 Corinthians 6:11). He will provide the clothing –the righteousness of God– to those who have put their faith in Him (2 Corinthians 5:21). They understand the message of salvation (Revelation 7:9, 13-14). Those who don’t accept His provision of righteousness will be clothed in the best that men have to offer –filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6).

If your thinking to yourself that “The wife has been explained, but who are these men that are his enemies?” Here’s the picture. The men symbolize mankind. The woman symbolizes mankind’s relationship to God. It’s one of rebellion. Through his own evil behavior, man became enemies with God (Romans 5:10).

Half way through the seven day feast, the guests began to pressure his wife to get the answer to the riddle. – Judges 14:15

There are several opinions (and very divisive ones at that) about the tribulation. A common understanding is that there are specific and unusual occurrences at the midpoint. It is referred to as “in the middle of the seven” in Daniel 9:27 when huge changes take place in the Jewish temple worship. In Revelation 11:1-3 it is stated that Jerusalem will be trampled by enemies for “42 months” and witnesses prophesy for “1,260 days”. And in Revelation 12:13-14 there is “a time, times and half a time” that Israel is kept in a safe place.

At the end of the feast’s seventh day, Samson revealed the meaning of the riddle to his wife. – Judges 14:16-17

Through his wife Samson told his foes the riddle’s answer on the seventh day. Similarly, it will be at the end of the tribulation’s seventh year that Jesus will reveal the destiny of those who rebelled against God by not accepting His provision of life through His Son (John 3:36).

Ashkelon [the place where value is determined] is where Samson offered free clothing for correctly answering his riddle. – Judges 14:18-19

Jesus will test men’s hearts to determine if they value His offer of eternal life. Those who accept it –trusting in Him– will be freely clothed. They will be clothed in Jesus and all that He is (Galatians 3:27).

Samson gave the guests other men’s clothes rather than his because they were deceitful. – Judges 14:18-19

Being empowered by the Spirit of God, Samson killed and took the clothing from thirty of them. When the last day comes and judgement is at hand, Jesus will strip away mens’ self-righteousness All that is available for those who refused His righteousness will be praise from men –none from God (John 12:42-43).

Children of Which Father?

Samson’s wife was left at her father’s house; and her father gave her to a “friend.” – Judges 14:20-15:3

There are only two “fathers” for mankind to be identified with: God above and the Devil below (John 8:42-44; 1 John 3:8-10). And all of mankind starts out life as a child of the Devil. Those who choose to be born again are adopted into the family of God and take on a new identity in Christ: a child of God.

Those who do not choose new life are left with their father, the Devil. They can be identified by their affiliations with the ones he controls – “the kings of the earth." Because of these relationships, she is described as the Prostitute throughout Revelation 17 and Revelation 18. Those kings will hand her over to what will appear to be a friend of God, but will actually be the anti-Christ –the Beast (Revelation 17:3-6).

Samson avenged his wife’s persecution by destroying the Philistines’ crops. – Judges 15:4-5

Jesus will destroy the world’s main source of income (Revelation 18:8-10).

The Tribulation

The Philistines were angry and burned the woman and her father so Samson retaliated viciously. – Judges 15:6-8

The anti-Christ (the beast) will persecute mankind (the prostitute.).

Samson then stayed in a cave at Etam [where the birds prey]. – Judges 15:8

Jesus will stand back and have all of the the anti-Christ’s work destroyed.

The Philistines convinced the men of Judah to help in their plot against Samson, but the plot failed. – Judges 15:11-14

The Anti-Christ will deceive lost mankind through miraculous signs to cause them to fight against Jesus. But the anti-Christ will lose that war.

He took a fresh jawbone of a donkey and killed 1,000 of them and he called the name of the place “Worship place of the Jawbone.” – Judges 15:15-16

The simple word of the gospel (spoken with the jaw of one who recently died –Jesus) will be the downfall of many.

Samson was thirsty after the battle and God gave him water from a spring [the voice of one calling] at Lehi [the hollow of the jaw] to bring back his strength. – Judges 15:17-19

After the great battle is over, God will be calling people to come to Him. Everyone who has trusted in His provision –Jesus– will be revived to an everlasting life with Him. (Revelation 21:3-6).

Samson led Israel for 20 years. – Judges 15:20

There will be a millennial (1,000 year) reign of Jesus upon the earth after the battle of Armageddon.