Old Testament

Judges 16:15

The Clear Bible Translation matches the King James Version, written at a 10th-grade reading level in plain English

At a Glance

In this verse, Delilah confronts Samson about his lack of honesty and commitment.

Author: Traditionally attributed to Samuel
Written: Around 1050-1000 BC
Genre: Historical narrative
Original Audience: The Israelites living under the judges

CBTClear Bible Translation

Then she said to him, "How can you say, 'I love you,' when your heart is not with me? You've mocked me these three times and still haven't told me where your great strength comes from."

KJVKing James Version

And she said unto him, How canst thou say, I love thee, when thine heart is not with me? thou hast mocked me these three times, and hast not told me wherein thy great strength lieth.

Verse Analysis

Plain-English insight for readers

In this verse, Delilah confronts Samson about his lack of honesty and commitment. She questions how he can profess love for her while keeping secrets that are crucial to their relationship. Delilah feels mocked because Samson has evaded her inquiries about the source of his strength three times. This moment highlights the tension in their relationship, as Delilah is frustrated by his unwillingness to share something so important. It also reveals the manipulative nature of their interactions, as Delilah is using emotional appeals to extract information from Samson. This verse serves as a reminder of the importance of trust and transparency in relationships, as well as the dangers of manipulation and deceit. Explore related deception.

Key themes

Manipulation

Related Bible verses

How to apply Judges 16:15 to your life

This verse teaches us the importance of honesty in our relationships. We should strive to communicate openly with those we love, avoiding manipulation or deceit. Building trust requires transparency, and we must be careful not to take our loved ones for granted or play with their emotions.

Curated for this public verse page. Judges Summary

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick, clear answers about this verse

What does Delilah mean when she questions Samson's love?

Delilah is expressing her frustration that Samson claims to love her while withholding important information about his strength. This highlights a lack of trust and transparency in their relationship, suggesting that true love requires honesty and openness.

How does this verse illustrate manipulation in relationships?

In this verse, Delilah uses emotional appeals to manipulate Samson into revealing his secret. By questioning his love and expressing feelings of being mocked, she attempts to pressure him into disclosing the source of his strength, showcasing how emotional tactics can be used to gain control in relationships.

What lessons can we learn about trust from Judges 16:15?

Judges 16:15 teaches that trust is foundational in relationships. Delilah's confrontation with Samson reveals that without honesty and transparency, relationships can become strained and filled with doubt. It emphasizes the need for open communication to build and maintain trust.

Why is honesty important in relationships according to this verse?

This verse highlights that honesty is crucial for a healthy relationship. Delilah's frustration stems from Samson's secrecy, which undermines their connection. Being truthful fosters trust and intimacy, while deceit can lead to manipulation and emotional pain.

Book Summary

The Book of Judges

Judges 1–2: Incomplete Conquest and the Cycle of Sin

After the death of Joshua, the tribes of Israel inquire of the Lord who should first go up to fight the remaining Canaanites. Judah is chosen and, with the help of the tribe of Simeon, achieves several victories, but fails to drive out the inhabitants of the coastal plain because they have iron chariots. The book then details the failures of the other tribes—Benjamin, Manasseh, Ephraim, Zebulun, Asher, and Naphtali—to completely dispossess the Canaanites from their allotted territories. Instead of driving them out, the Israelites put them to forced labor, allowing pagan influences to remain in the land. An angel of the Lord appears at Bochim and rebukes the people for breaking their covenant with God by making treaties with the inhabitants of the land. The people weep and offer sacrifices, but the pattern of disobedience is set.

A new generation arises that does not know the Lord or the works He has done for Israel. This generation forsakes the God of their fathers, turning to worship the Baals and Ashtaroth of the surrounding peoples. This apostasy provokes the Lord's anger, and He hands them over to their enemies, who oppress them. When the Israelites cry out to the Lord in their misery, He raises up judges—deliverers who save them from their oppressors. However, as soon as a judge dies, the people relapse into even greater corruption, returning to their idolatrous ways. This establishes the book's central, recurring cycle: sin, oppression, repentance, and deliverance, followed by a period of rest, and then a return to sin. Judges 3: Othniel, Ehud, and Shamgar The first cycle of judgment begins as the Israelites do evil in the sight of the Lord and worship idols. God's anger burns against them, and He sells them into the hands of Cushan-Rishathaim, king of Mesopotamia, whom they serve for eight years. When the people cry out to the Lord, He raises up Othniel, the younger brother of Caleb, as their deliverer. The Spirit of the Lord comes upon him, and he leads Israel to victory, defeating the Mesopotamian king. The land has peace for forty years until Othniel's death. After Othniel dies, the Israelites again do evil, and God strengthens Eglon, the king of Moab, against them. Eglon, allied with the Ammonites and Amalekites, defeats Israel and captures the city of palms, Jericho. The Israelites are subject to Moab for eighteen years. When they cry out for help, God raises up Ehud, a left-handed man from the tribe of Benjamin. While delivering Israel's tribute, Ehud uses his left-handedness to his advantage, concealing a dagger on his right thigh. In a private audience with the obese King Eglon, he claims to have a secret message from God and stabs the king in the belly. Ehud escapes, rallies the Israelite forces, and leads them to a decisive victory over the Moabites, killing about 10,000 of their soldiers. The land enjoys peace for eighty years. After Ehud, Shamgar son of Anath is mentioned, who strikes down 600 Philistines with an oxgoad, also saving Israel.

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