Samson’s First Encounter with a “Foreign Woman”: After the dazzling introduction of this wonder-man in Judges 13, we anticipate seeing him in action. He was grown, the Spirit was stirring him, the Israelites had been in bondage to the Philistines for forty years. Surely it was time for some action. We want to see what he can do, and we know that the stage is set for the performance. That is why Samson’s first moves are so surprising, and frankly, disappointing. We expected a little more than a spoiled brat who orders his parents around and has no regard for family values. With Samson, the quality of Israel’s leaders reaches an alltime low. But God—once again, strange and improper as it may seem to us—will use even a Samson to accomplish his purposes.

Even the structure of this chapter revea…