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JUDGES XIV.

153

The Lion that on Sampson roard.
And thirsted for his blood:
With honey afterwards was stord.
And furnished him with food.

SAMSON'S RIDDLE.

BEFORE CHRIST 1490 YEARS.

If they the knotty riddle could explain,
Each for his share should a rich vestment gain;
At length they with his facile wife confer:
She wrung it from her lord, and they from her.

SAMSON went down again to Timnath to celebrate his marriage with the daughter of the Philistines, and on turning aside from the path to see the lion which he had slain, he found a swarm of bees and honey in the carcase, and he took of the honey and did eat, not telling any person from whence he got it; but at his marriage-feast he proposed a riddle to thirty young men, who were his companions, the tenor of which was; "Out of the eater came forth meat, and out of the strong came forth sweetness;" this was to be solved in seven days, or they were to forfeit thirty sheets and thirty changes of raiment; but if they showed its

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meaning, he was to give them the like reward. Up to the seventh day his companions could not declare the meaning, when, forgetting all the generosity and friendship that ought to exist on such occasions, they threatened to burn Samson's wife and her father's house, unless she explained to them the riddle; but Samson had not told her, therefore she could not satisfy them, yet the dread of what they threatened, made her importunate with Samson to know the meaning, which she obtained, and divulged it tothem: thus informed, they were enabled to state, "that nothing was sweeter than honey, or stronger than a lion;" thus they won, but it was a dishonourable part they acted, which roused Samson's feelings, and aided by divine strength, he went down to Ashkelon and slew thirty men, whose spoils he took, and with it paid the forfeit to those

who had expounded the riddle. It may seem singular that Samson should fix his affections upon a Philistine woman; but it was permitted for wise ends, as it gave him opportunity of being amongst them, and of avenging Israel upon the Philistines for their hard usage of them.

The conduct Samson had experienced, proved an occasion of weaning him from his new relations. He found his friends had abused him, and his wife betrayed him, and therefore he returned to his father's house. It is better to be angry with the Philistines than in love with them, because when any join themselves to them, they are in danger of being ensnared by them. It were well for us, if the unkindness we meet with from the world, and our disappointment in it, had the effect of obliging us by faith and supplication, to turn to our heavenly Fa

ther's house, and rest there. The inconveniences that occur in our way should make us love home, and long to be there.

During Samson's absence, his wife was given to another; but ere long he returned to his wife, when her father refused to admit him. (Judges xv.) This gave him another plea for chastising the Philistines :-he caught a number of foxes, and having tied fire-brands to their tails, sent them amongst the corn, and destroyed it. After this the Philistines obtained possession of him, and shouted with joy at their success; but the spirit of the Lord again came upon him, and with the jaw-bone of an ass which he found, he slew a thousand of them. Observe what instrument God can make use of to serve his own and his people's cause; all hearts, all hands are under his control, and in the use of them we see his infinite wisdom.