Chapter 3: The Riddle

The wedding feast lasted seven days, as was the custom. Thirty young Philistine men were given to Samson as companions - though they were less friends than watchful strangers assigned by the town.

On the first night, Samson proposed a wager.

SAMSON“Let me tell you a riddle. If you solve it within seven days, I'll give you thirty linen garments and thirty sets of clothes. If you can't, you give the same to me.”— Judges 14:12-13

The men agreed. Samson smiled. He had a riddle no one could solve - because it was based on a secret only he knew.

SAMSON“Out of the eater, something to eat. Out of the strong, something sweet.”— Judges 14:14

The answer was the lion he had killed and the honey he had found inside its body. No one else had seen it. No one else could possibly guess.

For three days, the men struggled. By the fourth, desperation turned to threats. They cornered Samson's bride.

PHILISTINES“Get the answer from your husband, or we'll burn your father's house - with you inside.”— Judges 14:15

That night, she came to Samson weeping.

WIFE“You hate me. You don't really love me. You've given my people a riddle but won't tell me the answer.”— Judges 14:16

SAMSON“I haven't even told my parents. Why would I tell you?”— Judges 14:16

But she didn't stop. Day after day, night after night, she wept and pleaded. On the seventh day, worn down, he finally told her about the lion and the honey.

She told the Philistines immediately.

Before sunset, they approached him with knowing smiles.

PHILISTINE MAN“A lion - and honey from its body. That's your answer.”— Judges 14:18

Samson's face went cold. There was only one way they could know.

SAMSON“If you hadn't plowed with my heifer, you would never have solved my riddle.”— Judges 14:18

The Spirit of the Lord came upon him. He went to the city of Ashkelon, killed thirty Philistines, stripped them of their garments, and threw the clothes at the men who had cheated him.

The debt was paid. But Samson couldn't bear to look at his wife. Without a word, he left Timnah and returned to his father's house - alone.

But while he was gone, her father assumed Samson had abandoned her for good. He gave her to another man - the companion who had stood beside Samson at the wedding.

The first woman who had looked at him without fear was gone. And Samson didn't even know it yet.