grace, and you shall find that your past mercies are but the pledge of blessings inconceivable and numberless.

CHAPTER XIX.

Samson born. He kills a lion. His marriage. His riddle.

The promise of the angel was fulfilled. In due time, Manoah and his wife had a son," ,'whom they called SAMSON. We are told nothing of his in fancy and childhood, except that he grew, and the Lord blessed him. He undoubtedly gave early proofs, both by the vigor of his body and the capacities of his mind, that he was preparing, if necessary, to act a conspicuous part in the affairs of the nation. As he advanced in years, "the Spirit of the Lord began to move him at times in the camp of Dan, between Zorah and Eshtaol." A divine impulse urged him forward to the work of endeavoring to rescue his countrymen from their bondage, and to such exhibitions of bodily strength and a daring prowess, as led all who witnessed them to regard him with

astonishment, and as one on whom they might afterwards rely for aid in resisting their oppressors.

About twenty miles west of Jerusalem, and twelve north-east of Eshtaol, there was a town called Timnath, in the tribe of Dan, and very near the borders of the country of the Philistines. Some of this people seem to have had possession of the place; or, at least, many of them dwelt there intermingled with the Israelites, who had never entirely driven them from this portion of the country, and were now, as vassals, obliged to submit to their dominion. Samson sometimes visited Timnath, it being in the neighborhood of his home. He there formed an affection for one of the daughters of a Philistine, whom he sought to obtain in marriage. His first step was to inform his parents of his wishes, and to ask their assistance in the matter. They expressed their disapprobation of such a course, inquiring of Samson how it happened that he could make no suitable match with some one of the numerous women in his own tribe or nation, but must go among the idolatrous heathen for such a purpose.

It is true, indeed, that alliances in marriage were not prohibited, in so many words, by the law of God, with the nations that were not devoted to extermination, of which class were the Philistines; but the spirit of the command which 17

Joshua & Judges.

forbade such connections with the Canaanites implied this, as these alliances would equally lead the Israelites to be exposed to many temptations, and to fall into the practice of idolatry and other grievous sins.

Manoah and his wife felt the truth of this, and hence the surprise that they manifested. For they knew not, we are told, that it was of the Lord, that their son sought this connection as one means of weakening the power of the Philistines. Whether this implies that Samson had received a special divine direction to act as he did, or that it pleased God so to arrange events by his providence as merely to permit it, it is difficult to determine. If the former was the case, he who gave the ceremonial law had a right to dispense with it in regard to any of his servants, and that he might accomplish his own designs. On either supposition, Samson perceived that it would place him in a position in which he could redress, in some degree, the wrongs that were inflicted upon his countrymen; although he doubtless, at the same time, had a strong affection for the individual whom he wished to make his wife. His conduct in the affair, together with many other actions of his, shows that he labored under great imperfections and sins, notwithstanding the belief we are led to indulge that he was, on the whole, moved by the influence of a true

faith in God, and of a spirit of obedience to his will. Some of the most objectionable traits of his character are brought to view in his history, while the redeeming ones may have been passed over in silence, for reasons which we cannot, at this remote period of time, be able to ascertain, or even conjecture.

The motive that Samson urged upon his parents, to induce them to fall in with his views, was that the woman pleased him well, or as the original might, perhaps, be better translated, because she was right in his eyes; that is, suited to the ulterior object which he had in view. In addition to this, they may have understood that he considered himself as acting in the affair under a divine direction or impulse. For one or both of these reasons, they seem, at length, to have yielded to his solicitations; and they proceeded with him to Timnath. On their way, and while Samson was separated for a time from his parents, he was attacked by a young, full-grown lion, of an age when this animal is possessed of its greatest degree of strength, and is much more fierce and formidable than at a later period of life. It rushed forward, roaring, to devour him; but he retreated not from so terrible an encounter. He felt the communication to him from above of a supernatural power. "The Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon him" and he rent the lion

with his mere hands, without the aid of any weapon, as he would have done a kid. This exploit, which disclosed to him the prodigious strength that he would be enabled, at times, to put forth, he kept a secret, not making it known even to his father and mother.

On their arrival at Timnath, and after the customary negociations, Samson being still pleased with the woman, they were, with her parents' consent, betrothed to each other. Between the espousals and the marriage it was usual for some time to elapse, which Samson spent at home, and at its expiration went again to her father's residence, accompanied by his parents, to consummate the marriage and take his wife. While going to Timnath, he turned aside from the road at the place where he had killed the lion, to see what had become of the carcass. He found it still there, and within it a swarm of bees and some honey. Taking a portion of the latter, and eating it as he went along, he soon overtook his father and mother, inviting them to partake of his luscious meal, but not divulging the source whence it came.

It was a part of the marriage ceremonies for the bridegroom to make a feast, which lasted seven days. Samson did this at his temporary residence, while the bride gave a similar entertainment to her friends at her father's house.