Definition: And she said, The Philistines [be] upon thee, Samson. And he awoke out of his sleep, and said, I will go out as at other times before, and shake myself. And he wist not that the LORD was departed from him.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Judges 16:20 together. It's a really interesting and slightly mysterious passage! Here’s what it essentially means, explained in simpler terms: The Basic Situation: Samson is in trouble: The verse tells us that Samson was being attacked by the Philistines. He was in a dangerous situation. He's asleep: Samson was deeply asleep when the Philistines attacked him. This suggests he’s vulnerable and unprepared. He wakes up and says something strange: As he awakens, he starts to talk about going out and shaking himself – like he’s preparing for a different situation. He doesn't realize anything has changed: The most striking part is that he doesn’t seem to notice that God (the Lord) is gone! He’s completely focused on the act of shaking himself. Putting it all together – Simple Explanation: Samson was in a state of confusion and perhaps even fear because he was being attacked. He was so preoccupied with his own actions that he didn't realize that God had left him. It's like when you’re deeply engrossed in something and miss a crucial warning or change happening around you. Possible Interpretations (It's not always straightforward): A Moment of Doubt: This verse could be interpreted as a moment of doubt within Samson – a feeling that he might not be strong enough, or that things aren’t going right. Divine Intervention: It also hints at a potential divine intervention, where God is aware and watching over Samson despite his struggles. Important Note: The Bible often uses figurative language to describe events. This verse is rich with symbolism and isn't meant to be taken literally. --- Do you want me to: Explain this verse in more detail? Explore a specific aspect of the verse (like its historical context)? Discuss how this passage relates to other biblical stories or themes?