Definition: Then his father and his mother said unto him, [Is there] never a woman among the daughters of thy brethren, or among all my people, that thou goest to take a wife of the uncircumcised Philistines? And Samson said unto his father, Get her for me; for she pleaseth me well.

Explanation: Okay, let's break down this verse from Judges 14:3. It’s a really interesting and somewhat unsettling passage about Samson and his relationship with his wife, Delilah. Here’s the explanation in simple terms: What’s Happening? Samson is Feeling Unhappy: Samson was a talented musician and acrobat who was incredibly popular among the Israelites. He had a lot of attention and admirers. Delilah Comes Along: Delilah, a woman from Philistine (a people living to the east of Israel), becomes Samson’s wife. She's very attractive and desirable to him. He Wants Her for Himself: Samson starts to feel like he needs her more than his own family or community. He asks her to marry him, specifically because she pleases him. What’s the Problem? The verse is telling us that before this point, there had been no woman among the Israelites' daughters or the entire nation who would have married a Philistine man. This was a significant and unusual situation. Let’s unpack it: “Then his father and his mother…” : This refers to Samson’s parents – his father, a Hebrew man, and his mother, a Philistine woman. “…said unto him, [Is there] never a woman among the daughters of thy brethren, or among all my people, that thou goest to take a wife of the uncircumcised Philistines?” : This is the core question. They’re asking if ever before, there had been any woman from their community who would have married a Philistine man. It's a really pointed question meant to highlight the unusual situation. “And Samson said unto his father, Get her for me; for she pleaseth me well.” : This is where Samson’s desire intensifies. He wants her to marry him because he finds her attractive and pleasing to him. The Significance (and Controversy) This verse raises a lot of questions and has been interpreted in different ways throughout history: It's a problem for the Israelites: Having a Philistine wife was seen as a serious issue because it meant they would be increasingly isolated from their own people and potentially vulnerable to attack. It’s a test of Samson's character: The verse is often viewed as a challenge to Samson's loyalty to his community – he was prioritizing his desires over his responsibilities and the needs of his people. In short, this passage shows a significant imbalance in Samson's life where his personal feelings overshadowed his obligations. It’s a story that explores themes of desire, pride, and the challenges of maintaining balance between personal happiness and community loyalty. --- Do you want me to: Explain another part of this verse? Discuss the historical context of this passage? Compare it to other stories with similar themes (like the story of David)?