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A Wardrobe with Thirty Changes

By Elizabeth Peak

"Then Samson said to them, "Let me pose a riddle to you. If you can correctly solve and explain it to me within the seven days of the feast, then I will give you thirty linen garments and thirty changes of clothing."  (Judges 14:12)

Samson was a judge for twenty years for the Israelites. As a young man, he saw a Philistine woman that pleased him. He asked his parents to get her for him. His parents did not understand why Samson wanted a Philistine woman for a bride and not a woman from his own people. Verse 4 of chapter 14 tells the reason—"It was of the Lord—that He was seeking an occasion to move against the Philistines."

One day when Samson was on the way to Timnah to see the young woman, a roaring lion came roaring against Samson. The Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon Samson and Samson tore the lion apart though he had nothing in his hands. After some time, Samson returned to the site where he had killed the lion. A swarm of bees and honey were in the carcass of the lion. Samson ate some of the honey and took some to his parents.

The scripture does not tell us how long it was between the incident of the lion and the swarm of bees and the wedding feast. Wedding feasts usually lasted seven days, although they could last up to fourteen days. The guests were provided with robes by the host. The feast was enlivened with riddles.

Thirty Philistine companions were with Samson at the feast. Samson posed this riddle: "Out of the eater came something to eat, and out of the strong came something sweet." (Judges 14:14) The riddle was to keep his companions guessing for the length of the feast. Samson’s companions grew weary of guessing the riddle. They put pressure on his bride to get the answer from Samson for them.

Samson’s bride accused him of hating her and not loving her because he would not tell her the answer to the riddle. Each day while the feast lasted she cried and begged to know the answer of the riddle. Finally, Samson told her the answer. His bride immediately told the riddle to the men. They then told the answer to Samson.

Angered by his bride’s betrayal, Samson went to Ashkelon and killed thirty men. He then gave their garments to the wedding guests. His anger was so great that he left his bride and went to his father’s house. Judges 14:20 tells us that Samson’s bride was given to his best man.

Some observations:

1. God’s way is best. Judges 14:4 tells us this was an opportunity for God to move against the Philistines. "Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!" (Romans 11:33)

2. Things that look good to us probably will not be good for us.  Judges 14: 2 & 7 tell us that the woman looked good to Samson and she pleased him.

1 John 2:16 warns, "For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world."

3. Don’t tell others your innermost thoughts—they may tell them to others. Judges 14:16
tells us that Samson had kept this a secret from even his parents. His bride was willing to give the secret away.

"A talebearer reveals secrets, but he who is of a faithful spirit conceals a matter."  (Proverbs 11:13)

4. You could be the loser if you nag or press hard to get what you want. Judges 14:17 indicates that she wept for seven days trying to get Samson to tell her the answer. Proverbs 21:19 is just one of the scriptures that deals with a contentious or nagging woman. "Better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and angry woman." Judges 15:6 tells us that her own people burned her and her father.

5. Don’t let your anger get out of control. Judges 14:19 tells us that Samson’s anger was aroused. Ephesians 4:26 says, "Be angry, and do not sin: do not let the sun go down on your wrath."

6. Choose your companions wisely. Judges 14:11 shows companions were with him. 1 Corinthians 15:33 advises: "Do not be deceived: Evil company corrupts good habits.”

7. Satan is always at hand. 1 Peter 5:8 tells us, "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour."

Questions for a Wardrobe with Thirty Changes

1. What did Samson tear apart with his hands?

2. What came upon Samson mightily?

3. Who understood why Samson chose a Philistine woman for a bride?

a. Samson

b. His parents

c. God

d. the Philistines

4. What was inside the carcass of the lion?

A. Maggots

B. Ants

C. Flies

D. A swarm of bees and honey

5. How many companions were at the feast?

6. What did Samson pose or ask at the wedding feast and what was to be the reward?

7. True/False Samson’s bride accused him of not loving her because he wouldn’t tell her the answer to the riddle.

8. Yes/No Samson’s wife kept the answer to the riddle to herself.

9. How did Samson get the thirty garments for his guests answering the riddle?

10. Whose way is best?

A. Mine

B. God’s

C. Samson’s

D. All of the above