Judges 14:11 - Forerunner Commentary

Judges 14:11

9 He took some of it in his hands and went along, eating. When he came to his father and mother, he gave some to them, and they also ate. But he did not tell them that he had taken the honey out of the ^acarcass of the lion.

10 So his father went down to the woman. And Samson gave a feast there, for young men used to do so.

11 And it happened, when they saw him, that they brought thirty companions to be with him.

12 Then Samson said to them, “Let me ^apose a riddle to you. If you can correctly solve and explain it to me ^bwithin the seven days of the feast, then I will give you thirty linen garments and thirty ^cchanges of clothing.

13 But if you cannot explain it to me, then you shall give me thirty linen garments and thirty changes of clothing.” And they said to him, ^a“Pose your riddle, that we may hear it.”

14 So he said to them:
“Out of the eater came something to eat,
And out of the strong came something sweet.” Now for three days they could not explain the riddle.

15 But it came to pass on the¹ seventh day that they said to Samson’s wife, ^a“Entice your husband, that he may explain the riddle to us, ^bor else we will burn you and your father’s house with fire. Have you invited us in order to take what is ours? Is that not so?”

16 Then Samson’s wife wept on him, and said, ^a“You only hate me! You do not love me! You have posed a riddle to the sons of my people, but you have not explained it to me.” And he said to her, “Look, I have not explained it to my father or my mother; so should I explain it to you?”

17 Now she had wept on him the seven days while their feast lasted. And it happened on the seventh day that he told her, because she pressed him so much. Then she explained the riddle to the sons of her people.

18 So the men of the city said to him on the seventh day before the sun went down:
“What is sweeter than honey?
And what is stronger than a lion?” And he said to them:
“If you had not plowed with my heifer,
You would not have solved my riddle!”

19 Then ^athe Spirit of the Lord came upon him mightily, and he went down to Ashkelon and killed thirty of their men, took their apparel, and gave the changes of clothing to those who had explained the riddle. So his anger was aroused, and he went back up to his father’s house.

20 And Samson’s wife ^awas given to his companion, who had been ^bhis best man.

Verse Comparison: Judges 14:11

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Judges 14:12 >>

American Standard Version
And it came to pass, when they saw him, that they brought thirty companions to be with him.

Amplified® Bible
And when the people saw him, they brought thirty companions to be with him.

Contemporary English Version
When the Philistines saw what Samson was like, they told thirty of their young men to stay with him at the party.

Darby English Version
And when the people saw him, they brought thirty companions to be with him.

Good News Bible
When the Philistines saw him, they sent thirty young men to stay with him.

King James Version
And it came to pass, when they saw him, that they brought thirty companions to be with him.

New American Standard Bible
When they saw him, they brought thirty companions to be with him.

New International Version
When he appeared, he was given thirty companions.

New King James Version
And it happened, when they saw him, that they brought thirty companions to be with him.

N.A.S.B. in E-Prime
When they saw him, they brought thirty companions to accompany him.

Revised Standard Version
And when the people saw him, they brought thirty companions to be with him.

Young's Literal Translation
and it cometh to pass when they see him, that they take thirty companions, and they are with him.

New English Translation
When the Philistines saw he had no attendants, they gave him thirty groomsmen who kept him company.¹

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