His soul was vexed. — He at last reveals the secret, because he is wearied — literally, his soul is shortened — to death. (Comp. Numbers 21:4-5.) Even the dangerous use which Delilah had made of his last revelation did not rouse his mind from its besotted stupefaction.
“Swollen with pride, into the snare I fell
Of fair fallacious looks, venereal trains,
Softened with pleasure and voluptuous life,
At length to lay my head and hallowed pledge
Of all my strength in the lascivious lap
Of a deceitful concubine.” — Milton, Sams. Agon.
If he thrice proved his vast strength, he also thrice proved his immense folly. To use his strength in the mere saving of his own life was to squander it, and now, “as if possessed by insanity, he madly trifles with the key of his secret. He risks even the tampering with his hair. From this there is but one step to the final catastrophe” (Ewald).