Samson’s Wife Betrays Him

As was the custom at the time, Samson prepared a wedding feast, and the Philistines brought thirty men to be his companions at the feast. 

Wanting to impress the Philistines, Samson posed a riddle for them. He made a bet that if they could answer it within the seven days of the festival, he’d give them each new outfits. But if they couldn’t answer, they’d each have to give him a new outfit. They took the challenge.

“Out of the eater came something to eat,

And out of the strong came something sweet.”

Judges 14:14 (NKJV)

For three days they tried to figure it out to no avail. They went to Samson’s wife and asked her to entice her husband to explain the riddle to her so that she could tell them. If she didn’t, they threatened to burn her and her father’s house.

So Samson’s wife went to him and pleaded with him to tell her. She wept, accusing him of not loving her if he wasn’t willing to share with her.

His response? I haven’t told my parents, why should I tell you?

This went on until the last day of the feast when he broke down and explained the riddle to her. She then told the Philistines who were able to answer to Samson.

Of course, Samson knew that his wife had betrayed him. He responded by going to Ashkelon and killing 30 Philistine men. He took their clothing and gave it to the men who’d explained the riddle. Disgusted with his wife, he went back home to his parents, and she was given in marriage to his companion who’d been his best man.

Read about Samson’s Wife in Scripture: Judges 14:10-20

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