This verse from Judges 14:17 is part of the story of Samson and the Philistine riddle. Here's a breakdown of its meaning:
"She wept before him the seven days, while their feast lasted..." Samson had made a bet with 30 Philistines at his wedding feast based on a riddle he posed. His new wife, a Philistine woman, was pressured by her people to get the answer from Samson. For the entire seven days of the wedding feast, she used emotional manipulation (weeping) on Samson to get him to reveal the answer.
"...and on the seventh day, he told her, because she pressed him severely..." Samson, worn down by her persistent crying and nagging (the "pressing him severely"), finally gave in and told her the answer to the riddle. He was likely emotionally exhausted and possibly felt some affection for her.
"...and she told the riddle to the children of her people." Betraying her husband, Samson's wife immediately passed the answer to the riddle on to the 30 Philistines so that they could win the bet against Samson. This act set off a chain of events that lead to the deaths of 30 innocent people to pay off the debt. It also drives the wedge between Samson and his wife which eventually leads to tragedy later in Judges 14.
In essence, this verse shows:
The power of manipulation: Samson's wife used emotional tactics to get what she wanted.
Betrayal: She betrayed her husband to side with her own people.
The beginning of conflict: This act of betrayal set the stage for the escalating conflict between Samson and the Philistines.
Samson's weakness: It reveals a flaw in Samson's character—he was susceptible to emotional pressure, despite his great physical strength.
This verse from Judges 14:17 is part of the story of Samson and the Philistine riddle. Here's a breakdown of its meaning:
"She wept before him the seven days, while their feast lasted..." Samson had made a bet with 30 Philistines at his wedding feast based on a riddle he posed. His new wife, a Philistine woman, was pressured by her people to get the answer from Samson. For the entire seven days of the wedding feast, she used emotional manipulation (weeping) on Samson to get him to reveal the answer.
"...and on the seventh day, he told her, because she pressed him severely..." Samson, worn down by her persistent crying and nagging (the "pressing him severely"), finally gave in and told her the answer to the riddle. He was likely emotionally exhausted and possibly felt some affection for her.
"...and she told the riddle to the children of her people." Betraying her husband, Samson's wife immediately passed the answer to the riddle on to the 30 Philistines so that they could win the bet against Samson. This act set off a chain of events that lead to the deaths of 30 innocent people to pay off the debt. It also drives the wedge between Samson and his wife which eventually leads to tragedy later in Judges 14.
In essence, this verse shows:
The power of manipulation: Samson's wife used emotional tactics to get what she wanted.
Betrayal: She betrayed her husband to side with her own people.
The beginning of conflict: This act of betrayal set the stage for the escalating conflict between Samson and the Philistines.
Samson's weakness: It reveals a flaw in Samson's character—he was susceptible to emotional pressure, despite his great physical strength.