So the dead which he slew at his death, &c.— And those whom he slew at his death were more than those whom he had slain in his life. Houb. It is plain, that this event must have greatly reduced the Philistines, as they made no sort of opposition to the burying of Samson who had wrought such destruction among them.
REFLECTIONS.—In this ignominious employment, unhappy Samson had time and opportunity given him for reflection; bitter reflection! where all was dark without, and all as dark within. Yet how preferable his present situation! Far better grind in Gaza, than sleep in the bosom of Delilah. Repentance seems now to have been vouchsafed to him; his hair began to grow, and, as a token that God had not utterly left him, his strength returned with it, God still designing him for great exploits, and in his death to wipe away the foul stains of his past ungracious conduct.
1. The Philistines assemble to celebrate the praises of their god Dagon, half man half fish, to whose favour they ascribe their victory over the mighty Samson. With songs of praise the lofty roofs resound, and echo back their idol's victory. To make their joy complete, Samson is led forth; insult is added to his sufferings, and he degraded to be the sport of fools. Note; (1.) If even a Philistine could ascribe his victories only to his dunghill god, how much more are we bound to give our God the glory due to his name, for all he does to us, in us, and for us! (2.) They, who by their ill conduct have brought dishonour upon God, justly deserve to bring contempt upon themselves. (3.) They, who have sported in sin to their own deceiving, will find themselves in the end exposed to everlasting shame.
2. Little thought the lords of the Philistines what ruin hung over their heads. In mirth and wine the joyful day was spent; and besides the chief nobility, a vast concourse of men and women crowded the temple within and without, no less than three thousand being on the roof. Unhappy Samson stood the spectacle of their delight, fallen from his high estate, trampled upon by every foot, and led along blind by a little lad, the guide and guard of this once renowned hero. Meditating the fatal blow, and having informed himself of the supporters of the roof, he desires the lad to lead him, that he may lean against them; there pausing for a while on this great deed, he lifts his heart to God in prayer for power to avenge, as a public person, his own and Israel's wrongs; and for his people's sake cheerfully devotes himself to death. With arms extended then he grasps the massy pillars, and, feeling an answer to his prayer, in the renewed strength bestowed on him, he bows himself forward; the pillars rock, the building totters, the roof, encumbered with the weight of the spectators, rushes down, and death in every tremendous shape appears. Crushed under the load, or dashed to pieces in the fall, thousands expire; their music now is changed to dying groans; and shrieks of agonizing pain, instead of songs of triumph, fill the air. Thus dies the mighty Samson, glorious in his fall, and more terrible to the Philistines in his death than even during his life. Note; (1.) They who sport and mock at God's servants, fill fast the measure of their iniquities. (2.) When we return to God in penitent prayer, God will return to us in mercy, and renew our strength. (3.) To die for our country is great, but to die for God is far greater. (4.) Samson's death is a type of Christ's; his arms were thus extended on the cross; laying down a life which none could else take from him; saving his people by shedding his own blood, and casting down thereby the throne of Satan, ruining his temple in the hearts of men, and destroying the power of sin, death, and hell, their mortal enemies.
3. His father and friends, during their consternation, went up and took his dead body from the ruins, (the Philistines not daring to oppose them,) and buried it in his father's sepulchre. Twenty years his government lasted; and had the people but followed his example, they had no more felt the yoke of Philistia. Note; It is our own fault if we live and die the servants of sin, because we neglect to use the means of grace that God vouchsafes us.