Judges 14

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1. 1Samson traveled down to Timnath, where he noticed a young Philistine woman.
2. 2When he came back home, he told his father and mother, "I saw a Philistine woman in Timnath. Arrange the marriage for me — I want her as my wife."
3. 3His father and mother protested, "Isn't there a single woman among your own relatives or anywhere in our entire nation? Why do you have to marry an uncircumcised Philistine?" But Samson told his father, "Get her for me. She's the one I want."
4. 4His parents didn't know that it was from the LORD, who was seeking an opportunity against the Philistines. At that time, the Philistines ruled over Israel.
5. 5So Samson went down to Timnath with his father and mother. As they reached the vineyards near the town, a young lion suddenly came roaring at him.
6. 6The Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon him, and he tore the lion apart with his bare hands as easily as someone would tear apart a young goat. But he didn't tell his father or mother what he had done.
7. 7He went on ahead and talked with the woman, and she delighted him.
8. 8Some time later, Samson returned to marry her. Along the way, he went over to look at the lion's carcass, and there inside it was a swarm of bees and honey.
9. 9He scooped the honey out with his hands and ate it as he walked. When he reached his parents, he gave some to them and they ate it too — but he never told them he had taken it from the dead lion's body.
10. 10His father went down to meet the woman's family, and Samson threw a feast there, as was the custom for young bridegrooms.
11. 11When the Philistines saw him, they brought 30 young men to be his companions at the celebration.
12. 12Samson said to them, "Let me give you a riddle. If you can solve it during the 7 days of the feast, I'll give you 30 linen garments and 30 sets of clothing."
13. 13"But if you can't solve it, then you owe me 30 linen garments and 30 sets of clothing." They replied, "Let's hear your riddle."
14. 14He said, "Out of the eater came something to eat. Out of the strong came something sweet." For 3 days they struggled but couldn't figure out the answer.
15. 15On the 7th day, they said to Samson's wife, "Entice your husband to tell us the riddle, or we will burn you and your father's house with fire. Have you called us here to take what we have? Is it not so?"
16. 16So Samson's wife went to him in tears and said, "You must hate me! You don't love me at all! You gave my people a riddle and won't even tell me the answer." He replied, "I haven't even told my own father and mother — why would I tell you?"
17. 17She cried before him for the seven days of the feast. On the seventh day, he told her because she pressed him hard, and she told the riddle to her people.
18. 18Before sunset on the 7th day, the men of the city came to Samson and said, "What is sweeter than honey? What is stronger than a lion?" Samson shot back, "If you hadn't plowed with my heifer, you never would have solved my riddle."
19. 19Then the Spirit of the LORD came powerfully over him. He went down to Ashkelon, killed 30 of their men, stripped them of their belongings, and handed the clothing over to the men who had solved the riddle. Burning with anger, he stormed back to his father's house.
20. 20Meanwhile, Samson's wife was given in marriage to the companion who had served as his best man.