Bible Commentaries
Judges 15

Verses 1-20

Here we have the record of further exploits by Samson and once more the circumstances of them were not to his credit.

His revenge on the Philistines in the destruction of their property and their slaughter served in the wider outlook to limit the oppression of the Philistines The action of the men of Judah in binding him and handing him over to the Philistines was utterly contemptible, and in this connection the great possibility of the man flamed into view. We see him breaking the bonds that bound him and with terrific onslaught, armed only with the jawbone of an ass, slaying a thousand of their number. We are conscious of what he might have done had he been wholly yielded to that "Spirit of Jehovah" who came mightily upon him, instead of being so largely governed by the fires of his own passion.

After this victory there was perhaps a break during which he realized his a possibility more perfectly. Miraculously refreshed with water, he revived, and it is said that he judged Israel in the days of the Philistines for twenty years.