Samson said, with the jaw-bone of an ass, &c.— Samson, upon this victory, composed a triumphant song, or ode, of which this verse appears to have been the chorus or burden. Houbigant renders it,
With the jaw-bone of an ass have I dispersed them; With the jaw-bone of an ass have I slain a thousand men.
REFLECTIONS.—Unable any longer to bear such treatment, the Philistines gathered their armies, not to fight with Israel, but to oblige them to give up their enemy Samson. Hereupon,
1. The men of Judah, understanding the reason of their invasion, instead of setting Samson at their head to fight for their liberty, basely resolve to make a sacrifice of him to his enemies, preferring ignominious servitude before a generous struggle for their country. Instead of honouring him for his courage, they blame him for his rashness, and desire him peaceably to submit to their bonds. Samson might well expostulate with them, that what he had done was for their good, and a just correction for the wrongs he had received; but knowing that this was from God, that he might have a new occasion to destroy them, he peaceably submits to be bound; and, having first engaged his brethren to do him no harm, consents to be delivered into the hands of the Philistines. Note; We have here, in Samson, a lively figure of the Lord Jesus. A band of armed men surround him in the garden; he is betrayed, and forsaken by his own disciples; though able to destroy at a stroke those who came to bind him, yet, quietly submissive, he is led as a lamb to the slaughter.
2. With joy the Philistines behold their captive approaching, and shout aloud, as now triumphant over their destroyer: but how momentary is the triumph of the wicked! Instantly a sudden impulse of Divine power comes upon him; like flax his captive bands are burst asunder: no better weapon is at hand than the jaw-bone of an ass's carcase: this he seizes, flies on his amazed foes, and turns the shouts of joy into shrieks of horror: for soon, with resistless fury, he mows down their ranks, and heaps the slain on the slain. A thousand fell on the spot. Note; (1.) When God will work, the most despicable instruments in his hand shall be effectual. (2.) Though tied and bound with the chains of our sins, the spirit of the Lord can loose these captive bonds, and set us free. (3.) Unequal as the contest is, between one poor believer and all the hosts of hell and earth without, and corruption within, yet Divine Grace can make him more than conqueror. (4.) When his rejoicing enemies were most secure, and under the seal and stone had thus bound up the dead body of our crucified Lord, then, like Samson, he broke the bands of death, awaked as a giant refreshed with wine, confounded his foes, and led captivity captive.
3. Samson celebrates his victory, not out of vanity, but to the glory of God, who, with so unfit a weapon, had enabled him to make so great a slaughter. The same Hebrew word חמור chamor, signifying an ass and a heap, in the original, affords an elegant paronomasia, not to be accurately expressed in a translation. Then, having finished his song of praises, he casts away the useless jaw, and, in memory of this single event, calls the place Ramoth-Lehi, The lifting up of the jaw-bone.
Note; (1.) God must have the glory of his own work. (2.) Songs of praise are as honourable to him, as reviving to our own souls.