Samson Kills Thirty Men and His Wife Is Given Away

Samson travels from the Timnah feast to Ashkelon to seize garments, then returns to his father’s house.

The men supplied the answer after threatening Samson's wife (14:15-18). Samson now settles the garment obligation by killing men at Ashkelon. His angry departure and his wife's transfer propel the retaliation sequence in 15:1-8, where her father identifies himself as the one who gave her away.

The riddle’s settlement costs thirty lives and ends with Samson’s angry departure and his wife’s reassignment.

Understanding the Big Idea

The Spirit of the Lord comes powerfully on Samson. At Ashkelon he kills thirty men, takes their clothing, and gives it to those who answered the riddle. He returns to his father's house in anger, and his wife is given to the companion who had been with him. The account joins divine empowerment to an episode of lethal violence but gives no separate command to kill these men or permission to imitate angry retaliation.

To report the Spirit’s coming upon Samson, his lethal seizure of garments at Ashkelon, his angry departure, and the giving of his wife to a companion.

Samson’s lethal payment of a wager is not the saving act of Christ. The gospel announces Christ’s death for sins and resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:3-4); this passage should not be used to sanctify angry retaliation or to suggest that divine empowerment excuses harm.

1. What does the narrator say comes upon Samson in verse 19?
2. Where does Samson go, and how many men does he kill?
3. How are the garment stakes paid?
4. What does the text say about Samson’s anger and departure?
5. What happens to his wife, and what does the passage leave unsaid about her choice?