He told her all his heart— It was natural to suppose, that God would forsake a man who had forsaken Him to plunge into the excess of a criminal passion. Samson, softened by the caresses of Delilah, chagrined by her reproaches, overcome by her tears, could no longer resist her pressing solicitations. He forgot every thing to please her. He discovered his secret to her. There have been many men of wonderful strength, whose memory is preserved in history, and an account of whom may be found in Scheuchzer on the place; but it should be observed here, that Samson's extraordinary strength was not inherent in himself, but depended entirely on the divine power coming upon him when there was need of it, so long as he preserved himself consecrated to God, and strictly observed all those things which belonged to the vow of a Nazarite. Josephus paraphrases these words of Samson to Delilah thus: "I am under the care of God: born by his immediate providence, I nourish my hair; for he forbad that I should ever have it cut off, and it is herein that all my strength consists." See Hist. of the Jewish War, book 5: chap. 10.
REFLECTIONS.—As woman first was man's ruin; how often since has she been his snare! Other passions have slain their thousands, the love of women has slain its ten thousands.
I. Samson, who could not be taken in the toils of the Philistines, is ensnared by the attire of a harlot: to his shame, the history is recorded.
1. He went down to Gaza, on what occasion is not mentioned; but the bad tendency of familiarity with Philistines is left for our admonition. He saw a woman who pleased his eye, and, passion overcoming conscience, he connected himself with her. Note; (1.) The strongest in grace had need deeply to cry, Lead us not into temptation! (2.) They who ramble into places of vain company, must not wonder if they suffer for it.
2. Though perhaps he came in disguise, he was not long concealed; and while he is lying in the arms of a harlot, danger and death await him at the gate. Note; (1.) In our most secret sins God will find us out. (2.) Men would not sleep in quiet on the bed of lewdness, could they see the wrath of God which is hanging over them. (3.) The more securely the sinner sleeps, the more dangerous is his state.
3. Whether the conviction of his conscience terrified him, or a dream monitory of his danger awakened him, or some intelligence was brought him of the Philistines' designs, we do not learn; but at midnight he arose, and, finding the gates of the city barred, and the guards probably asleep, little expecting such a visitant, he took up posts, gates, and bars together on his shoulders, and carried them to a distant hill, to let his enemies see how vain were their attempts against him. Thus Christ, on his resurrection-day, carried off the gates of death, mocking at the impotent designs of his enemies, and opening a passage for all his people to follow him to the hill of God.
II. Again and again we find this mighty man sinking under the power of his besetting sin. More than once he had been brought by it into the most imminent danger; yet still he relapses, and, the third time, severely suffers. What a warning to every man of God to make a covenant with his eyes, and watch against and deny the sinful lusts of the flesh, which are as easily besetting, as difficult to be resisted.
1. A harlot caught his eye, and ensnared his heart. In criminal conversation with her he passed the day; and him whom armies could not move, a woman enslaved.
2. The Philistines seize the opportunity, and hope at last to prevail against him. Persuaded that there was some charm or spell which gave him such matchless strength, they offer Delilah a large bribe to get the secret out of him. Note; (1.) Where the love of money is rooted in the heart, bribe high enough, and you may buy body, soul, and all. (2.) By this was the Son of God betrayed; the love of thirty pieces of silver prevailed on the traitor Judas.
3. On the first opportunity, when caresses had paved the way for an easier entrance into his heart, she earnestly desires that he would gratify her curiosity, by informing her where his strength lay, and how he might be so bound as to be unable to help himself. Reluctant to declare the real secret, and hoping to put her off, he hesitates not at a lie; but when, to make the experiment, the osiers bound him, and an alarm of danger was given, the deceit appeared. Again she tries, again he misinforms her: the new ropes were as flax on his hands. The third time, upbraiding him with his deceit, she wearies him to tell the truth; but, still reluctant, he gives her a false information; and when she had wove his locks with her web, and fastened them to the beam, no sooner was the cry heard, "The Philistines be upon thee," than pin, beam, and all were carried away. Note; (1.) We must never expect fidelity from those who shew their utter unthankfulness to God. (2.) When the heart is infatuated with lust, repeated warnings of danger will be disregarded. (3.) They who feel themselves unable to resist the importunity of their passions should instantly fly.
4. At last, wearied out with her ceaseless upbraidings, and enslaved by his violent passion for her, the fatal secret is extorted. He could not bear to be suspected as wanting in affection to her, and, rather than not convince her of it by gratifying her most unreasonable requests, his own reputation, life, yea worse, the honour of God and the people's safety, are basely betrayed into the power of a faithless woman. Note; They who are slaves to their lusts are the worst of slaves, and stop at nothing to gratify them.