August 16

Introduction

Judges 15:9–20: Yesterday’s reading informed us that Samson was chosen to rescue Israel from the Philistines (13:5) and that the LORD’s power began to strengthen him (13:25). In today’s reading, the Philistines seek revenge for Samson’s previous attack on them. Since the Philistines ruled the land, the men of Judah, wanting to avoid a confrontation with the Philistines, tie up Samson and hand him over to the Philistines. But Samson breaks free and kills a thousand Philistines with the jawbone of a donkey.

Today’s Key Verse: Judges 15:14b

Suddenly the power of the LORD made him strong, and he broke the ropes around his arms and hands as if they were burnt thread.

Reading

The Philistines came and camped in Judah, and attacked the town of Lehi. 10 The men of Judah asked them, “Why are you attacking us?”

They answered, “We came to take Samson prisoner and to treat him as he treated us.” 11 So these three thousand men of Judah went to the cave in the cliff at Etam and said to Samson, “Don’t you know that the Philistines are our rulers? What have you done to us?”

He answered, “I did to them just what they did to me.”

12 They told him, “We have come here to tie you up, so we can hand you over to them.”

Samson said, “Give me your word that you won’t kill me yourselves.”

13 “All right,” they said, “we are only going to tie you up and hand you over to them. We won’t kill you.” So they tied him up with two new ropes and brought him back from the cliff.

14 When he got to Lehi, the Philistines came running toward him, shouting at him. Suddenly the power of the Lord made him strong, and he broke the ropes around his arms and hands as if they were burnt thread. 15 Then he found a jawbone of a donkey that had recently died. He reached down and picked it up, and killed a thousand men with it. 16 So Samson sang,

“With the jawbone of a donkey I killed a thousand men;
With the jawbone of a donkey I piled them up in piles.”

17 After that, he threw the jawbone away. The place where this happened was named Ramath Lehi.

18 Then Samson became very thirsty, so he called to the Lord and said, “You gave me this great victory; am I now going to die of thirst and be captured by these heathen Philistines?” 19 Then God opened a hollow place in the ground there at Lehi, and water came out of it. Samson drank it and began to feel much better. So the spring was named Hakkore; it is still there at Lehi.

20 Samson led Israel for twenty years while the Philistines ruled the land.

Reflect

Why did the men of Judah want to hand Samson over to the Philistines? How did Samson defeat the Philistines? How did God provide for Samson after his victory over the Philistines? In what ways does God provide for your needs?

Pray

Gracious and loving God, you renew my spirit each day and provide for my needs. With a humble heart I thank and praise you for your everlasting love and care. Amen.

Tomorrow’s Reading

Judges 16:1–22: Samson falls in love with Delilah.