Samson: The Bible’s Complex Anti-Hero and His Adult Struggles

“Out of the one who eats came something to eat;

out of the strong one came something sweet.” (Jdg 14:14)

Samson’s "riddle" has two obvious answers from an ancient wedding party:

1. is vomit. Strong men drink too much and vomit back up food and drink.

2. is adult inuendo. Something comes out of the strong man for the bride to "eat." (Constable, Thomas L. Constable’s Notes on the Bible. NETBible.org Jdg 14)

The third point (the real meaning, in Samson's case) is absurd, which makes the wager unsportsmanlike.

Samson took an incident that defiled his Nazarite vow (touching a corpse), ate from it (because he’ll take honey from wherever he sees fit), and he also fed it to his parents without informing them of its origin.

AND THEN he turns it into a trick question to get one over on his new bride’s family.

He carries himself like an arrogant demigod.

When he lost his riddle / bet, he runs off and kills 30 men to rob them of their clothes and fulfill his end of the bargain, and then leaves his bride at her fathers house and disappears for a season.

God's will was still enacted here by striking down Israel’s enemies (planned long before Samson), but my point to the adult reader is that you shouldn't romanticize the strength and character of Samson.

He was despicable and self-centered in every scene, and he exemplifies how NOT to be an honorable man. Even in his death, he killed the Philistines as personal revenge for his eyes being gouged out.

In its best light, the story contrasts David and helps us understand David’s origins and rise to King.

The big lesson of Samson is a story where:

• Talent doesn't overcome discipline.

• Not submitting to authority goes disastrous.

• Playing silly games gets silly prizes.

• Disregarding what is sacred has consequences.

• Enacting revenge stacks problems on problems.