Judges 15:12 - They said to him, “We have come down to bind you, that we may deliver you into the hand of the Philistines.” Samson said to them, “Swear to me that you will not attack me yourselves.”
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What does "Judges 15:12" mean?
This verse from Judges 15:12 is a crucial moment in the story of Samson and his relationship with his own people. Let's break down what it means:
"They said to him, 'We have come down to bind you, that we may deliver you into the hand of the Philistines.'" - This reveals the motivation of the men of Judah. They are scared of the Philistines and the consequences of Samson's actions against them. To appease the Philistines and prevent further conflict, they are willing to betray Samson, one of their own people, by handing him over to their enemies. This highlights a conflict of loyalties: their loyalty to their tribe versus their fear of the Philistines.
"Samson said to them, 'Swear to me that you will not attack me yourselves.'" - Samson, despite his great strength, is vulnerable to treachery from his own people. He understands that he is outnumbered and needs to ensure his safety from them, at least initially. He asks them to swear an oath that they won't harm him personally. This is a clever tactic, as he knows he can probably deal with the Philistines once he's in their hands, but he needs to avoid being killed by his own tribe in the process of being captured. This shows Samson's strategic thinking and awareness of his situation. He's not blindly relying on his strength, but also using diplomacy and shrewdness.
In essence, the verse reveals:
The lack of solidarity among the Israelites: The men of Judah prioritize their own safety over loyalty to a fellow Israelite who is fighting their oppressor.
Samson's vulnerability: Despite his supernatural strength, Samson is aware that he can be betrayed and killed by his own people.
Samson's resourcefulness: He uses a clever tactic to ensure his safety during the initial capture.
The verse sets the stage for the subsequent events where Samson is bound and handed over to the Philistines, only to break free and wreak havoc on them once again. It's a testament to the complex character of Samson, a flawed hero who is both a powerful warrior and a vulnerable individual.
Judges 15:12 - They said to him, “We have come down to bind you, that we may deliver you into the hand of the Philistines.” Samson said to them, “Swear to me that you will not attack me yourselves.”
What does "Judges 15:12" mean?
This verse from Judges 15:12 is a crucial moment in the story of Samson and his relationship with his own people. Let's break down what it means:
"They said to him, 'We have come down to bind you, that we may deliver you into the hand of the Philistines.'" - This reveals the motivation of the men of Judah. They are scared of the Philistines and the consequences of Samson's actions against them. To appease the Philistines and prevent further conflict, they are willing to betray Samson, one of their own people, by handing him over to their enemies. This highlights a conflict of loyalties: their loyalty to their tribe versus their fear of the Philistines.
"Samson said to them, 'Swear to me that you will not attack me yourselves.'" - Samson, despite his great strength, is vulnerable to treachery from his own people. He understands that he is outnumbered and needs to ensure his safety from them, at least initially. He asks them to swear an oath that they won't harm him personally. This is a clever tactic, as he knows he can probably deal with the Philistines once he's in their hands, but he needs to avoid being killed by his own tribe in the process of being captured. This shows Samson's strategic thinking and awareness of his situation. He's not blindly relying on his strength, but also using diplomacy and shrewdness.
In essence, the verse reveals:
The lack of solidarity among the Israelites: The men of Judah prioritize their own safety over loyalty to a fellow Israelite who is fighting their oppressor.
Samson's vulnerability: Despite his supernatural strength, Samson is aware that he can be betrayed and killed by his own people.
Samson's resourcefulness: He uses a clever tactic to ensure his safety during the initial capture.
The verse sets the stage for the subsequent events where Samson is bound and handed over to the Philistines, only to break free and wreak havoc on them once again. It's a testament to the complex character of Samson, a flawed hero who is both a powerful warrior and a vulnerable individual.