And Samson went down to Timnath, and saw a woman in Timnath of the daughters of the Philistines.
Ver. 1. And Samson went down to Timnath.] Whether to the market, or the sports, or some great feast, &c., it is not recorded; but God had an overruling hand in this journey for the punishment of the Philistines, though Samson cannot be altogether excused; for he went "after the sight of his eyes and lust of his heart." Ecc 11:9 Ill guides.
And saw a woman in Timnath.] This licentious eye should have been plucked out. Mat 5:29 A little otherwise than Democritus the philosopher put out his eyes, because he could not look upon a woman but he must lust after her; wherein he did nothing else, saith Tertullian, a but lay open his own folly to the whole city where he dwelt. How much better David, who prayed, "Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity," Psa 119:37 and Job, who voweth and imprecateth Job 31:1 ; Job 31:7 against these oculorum dolores, as great Alexander called the Persian maids.
a In Apolog.