Read through the chapter using a few translations. Modern translations have a field day using different English idioms for the Hebrew equivalents. Some literal translations will simply use the Hebrew idioms, but not very many.
Make notes and jot down questions for yourself from what you read. After you have some notes and questions, go back through with a commentary or study Bible notes. Once you revise your notes and questions, go back through with the questions below:
- Read the articles on "Timnah". Considering it's on the frontier between the Sons of Israel and the Philistines, why do you think Samson was headed down there?
- Samson sees a woman and goes to his parents to arrange a marriage with her. What do you think if Samson's attitude with his parents?
- His father and mother want Samson to marry from among his tribe. What do you think of the explanation provided by the author in verse 4?
- It seems like Samson is walking with his parents when the lion attacks, but then we're told that he didn't tell his parents. How do you imagine this scene?
- Samson is overpowered by the Spirit of Yahweh, and he tears the lion with his bare hands. What do you think Samson thought of that?
- The woman "is pleasing in Samson's eyes". So, he returns to "take her", but stops along the way to look at the dead lion. This reads like the author is leaving stuff out. We can connect the dots without him writing it, but why do you think he is leaving things out?
- Why do you think Samson wanted to look at the dead lion on his way back to Timnah?
- The way the Hebrew reads, the presence of the honey is surprising. Why do you think bees and honey would be so unexpected in a dead lion carcass? Why do you think the bees and honey were there?
- Samson scoops out some honey and eats it on his way into town. And then he gives some to his parents without telling them where it came from. How does this detail make you feel? What do you think of Samson? What sort of person do you think he is at this point?
- Why might Samson hide the source of the honey from his parents?
- Samson's father goes down to the woman, and Samson throws a feast. Why do you think the writer is, again, skipping details?
- Where do the "thirty friends" come from? Who arranged for them?
- What's more fun with your friends than riddles, so Samson asks one. Where was the lion killed again? (verse 6). So, why has no one from Timnah found it and the honey yet?
- What do you think might be significant about the clothes in this wager?
- The wager doesn't seem fair since they only have to come up with a change of clothes apiece, but he would have to come up with thirty. Why do you think Samson does this?
- Read the riddle in a few translations. This is a unique circumstance where the English actually rhymes. So, the wording in nearly ever translation is the same, except where the KJV has "sweetness", ruining the rhyme. What do you think of a "poetic" Samson?
- The 30 "friends" can't come up with an answer in 3 days, and then, on the fourth day...or was it the "seventh day"? Look up verse 15 in the KJV. The Greek version of the Hebrew Scriptures has fourth day. Which makes more sense to you?
- The friends accuse Samson's woman of bringing them here to "impoverish" them. How would a suit of clothes apiece impoverish the "ruling" people?
- They threaten to burn down her father's house if she doesn't get Samson to give her the answer. What do you think of these "friends" of Samson?
- Samson's woman resorts to weeping. Okay, so how old is this cliche? What do you think of her?
- How long does she "weep" before him? How long was this feast anyway? The men didn't even ask her until the fourth day. So, why has she been weeping the whole seven days to know the riddle?
- On the seventh day he tells her, and she tells the people of the "sons of her people". What do you think of Samson for giving in to his woman? What do you think of her for ratting out the answer to "her people"?
- Why do you think it's significant that they tell Samson the answer before the sun goes down?
- This through Samson's response to them. Nearly all translations preserve the Hebrew idiom. Why do you think it needs no interpretation? What does it seem to imply about Samson's view of his woman?
- Samson doesn't buy 30 sets of clothes, he kills thirty men from Ashdod for them. What do you think of Samson's solution? Remember, he's under the influence of the "Spirit of Yahweh" as he does it.
- Do you think he had the clothes of the dead men "dry cleaned" first, or just gave the clothes to them "as is"? What do you think it would have meant either way?
- He's angry so he goes back to his father's house. And the woman is given to one of his friends...So, is Samson married or not?
That should be plenty to keep us discussing into the wee hours of the evening. Bring your questions and notes with you.
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