Chapter 13

1 Israel is in the hand of the Philistines. 2 An angel appeareth to Manoah’s wife. 8 The angel appeareth to Manoah. 15 Manoah’s sacrifice, whereby the angel is discovered. 24 Samson is born.

1. Did evil again. For the chronology of this apostasy and of the Philistine oppression, see pp. 35, 36.

Philistines. They have been briefly mentioned by the author of Judges several times previously (chs. 3:31; 10:7–11). They were, like the Hebrews, invaders and settlers in Palestine. Philistines, in limited numbers, were in the land as early as the time of Abraham (Gen. 21:32). But their major wave of migration into Palestine probably occurred at the beginning of the 12th century b.c. along with that of other non-Semitic tribes from Asia Minor and the Aegean Islands (see p. 27). According to archeological accounts these Peoples of the Sea, as they were called by the Egyptians, were turned back at the gates of Egypt by Ramses III about 1194 b.c. In honor of his success in repelling the invaders, Ramses III built a large temple at Thebes (now called MedйЖnetРHabu) and covered its walls with pictures of the battle, among them being realistic representations of Philistine warriors. After the defeat of the Peoples of the Sea by the Egyptians part of this migration settled in the maritime plain of Canaan, where they largely adopted the religion, customs, and language of the Canaanites.

The Hebrews called the Philistines Pelishtim, and their territory, Pelesheth, which word, by the evolution of language, became “Palestine.” The Philistines settled chiefly in the five ancient cities of the plain, Ekron, Gaza, Ashkelon, Ashdod, and Eglon, which became the centers of the Philistine confederacy. From there the Philistines spread out into the Shephelah, and eventually, during the time of Saul, controlled all western Palestine as far north as the plain of Esdraelon and the Sea of Galilee. From the time of Samson they were the main challengers of the Israelites until they were subjugated by David.

For further information on the Philistines, their origin, and history, see on Gen. 10:14; 21:32; and Vol. II, pp. 27, 33, 34, 47.

Forty years. There has been a question as to whether this period was prior to, or included, the days of Samson and perhaps extended beyond to the battle of Ebenezer in the days of Samuel (1 Sam. 7:13). Samson was born in the early years of the Philistine oppression (PP 560). According to some authorities, this oppression was contemporaneous with the Ammonite oppression and judgeship of Jephthah (see p. 128).

2. Zorah. The name means “disease.” It is the modern SarФa, situated in the Shephelah 14.7 mi. (23.5 km.) west of Jerusalem. In Joshua 19:41, as here, it is called a city of the territory of Dan, but in Joshua 15:33 it is called a city of Judah. The city was probably first given to Judah and later assigned to Dan (see on Joshua 19:41). The city is generally mentioned in connection with Eshtaol (Judges 13:25; 18:2, 8, 11; etc.); the inference is that the tribe of Dan was largely confined to the environs of these two cities. Zorah was an ancient Canaanite town, being mentioned in the Amarna Letters. Its proximity to Philistia exposed the inhabitants to Philistine influence.

Manoah. The name, which means “rest,” may express the yearning of the Israelites in those troubled days. It does not occur elsewhere in the Bible.

Barren. Barrenness, to a Hebrew woman, was the greatest of calamities. Sarah, Rebekah, and Rachel were likewise barren. So was Hannah, the mother of Samuel, and Elisabeth, the mother of John the Baptist.

3. Angel of the Lord. This was the Angel that had appeared to Moses, Joshua, and others, and was none other than Christ (see EGW, Supplementary Material, on vs. 2–23).

Thou shalt conceive. Some of the greatest men of the Hebrew nation were born of erstwhile barren women. Children like these were in a special sense the gift of God, and were given because the parents were fully devoted to the Lord and would rear them in such a way as to enable these children to be special instruments of the Lord in behalf of His people.

4. Drink not wine. The mother was to take special care not to use any wine or intoxicating drink made from grapes. The health and character of this child, given by a direct providence of God, were to be safeguarded by the temperate habits of the mother from the time of its conception.

Strong drink. See on Gen. 9:21; Num. 6:3; 28:7; Deut. 14:26.

Unclean thing. It is likely that many Israelites were careless in observing the Levitical laws of clean and unclean foods; otherwise no special mention of this would have been necessary.

5. No razor. A person under the Nazirite vow was not to cut his hair during the time of the vow. When the vow expired, he was to cut off all his hair and present it at the tabernacle (Num. 6:18). The unshorn hair of the Nazirite was the visible token of his consecration, reminding both himself and the people of the sacred vows he had assumed. The long hair was thus the mark of the Nazirite as the linen garment was of the Levite.

A Nazarite. The word means “separated,” or, “devoted.” It is probably a shortened form of the full title, “devoted to God.” The Nazirite vow was a voluntary and temporary vow, carried out only for a specified period of time (see on Num. 6:2). Its significance consisted in a consecration of the life to God. The outward manifestation of the vow consisted of three things: (1) abstaining from all products of the grape, including the wine or the fruit, fresh or dried (Num. 6:3, 4); (2) allowing the hair of the head to grow, untouched by a razor or cutting instrument (Num. 6:5); (3) refraining from approaching a dead body under any circumstances lest defilement be incurred (Num. 6:6).

The Nazirite vow was highly regarded among the Hebrews (Amos 2:11; Lam. 4:7). Samuel was a Nazirite (1 Sam. 1:11), as was also John the Baptist (Luke 1:15; DA 102). Some have thought that perhaps Joseph (see Gen. 49:26, where the word translated “separate” is the same word used of Samson here in this verse and of all the Nazirites) was a Nazirite.

Begin to deliver. Although the Nazirite vow was ordinarily voluntary and temporary, in the case of Samson the dedication was externally imposed upon him by divine command and began from his birth. God had a plan for Samson’s life, a plan whereby, through the leadership of Samson, Israel should be delivered from Philistine bondage. Both the vow and the parents’ faithful training were to influence the child to recognize this plan of God for his life and lead him to consecrate himself to fulfill it. In Samson, one devoted to God, the Lord designed to set before the people an object lesson of the strength they might attain to overcome their foes through submission and service to their God.

Unfortunately, as Samson grew to manhood, he refused to bring his life into harmony with the plan God had for him. He became self-willed and careless morally. The weakness of Samson’s own character rendered him unfit to achieve complete deliverance from the Philistines. That task had to be left to others at a later time. However, through his feats of strength the eventual downfall of the Philistines was begun.

God has a plan for every life. Yet such a plan does not preclude free choice. Men must still choose as to whether they will follow the divine blueprint or not. Samson’s experience is an illustration of how a man may completely thwart the high destiny planned for him.

6. Man of God. This was a term generally used of prophets (Deut. 33:1; 1 Sam. 2:27; 9:6–8; 1 Kings 12:22; etc.). Manoah’s wife probably did not imagine that her Visitor was anyone else than a prophet, although she was awe-struck by the majesty of His appearance to the extent that she did not venture to talk to Him, even to ask Him His name or whence He came. Compare v. 10 where she again speaks of Him as “the man,” and v. 16, which states that Manoah did not know He was a heavenly visitant. An Eastern custom is that, when meeting a stranger, the first question usually asked is concerning the name.

7. Day of his death. In telling her husband of the message concerning the child, she added these words which were implied, in the Angel’s statement to her (see v. 5).

8. Intreated the Lord. Manoah feared that he and his wife might make some mistake in carrying out the instruction, so he sought for further guidance and information. He took his problem to God in prayer, asking the Lord to direct the Man of God to come back and teach them further regarding the training of this promised child. One cannot but admire the faith of Manoah, who fully accepted and believed the Angel’s word. He took for granted that in due time this promised child would be given to them. His faith is in sharp contrast to that of the priest Zacharias, the father of John the Baptist, who asked for a sign when the angel of the Lord appeared to him and promised him a child (Luke 1:18). Blessed are those that have not seen, and yet, like Manoah, have believed.

9. God hearkened. God honored the prayer of this loyal Danite, even as He ever honors the prayers of believing hearts.

12. Let thy words. Manoah desired to show his confidence in the message of the Stranger by expressing in this way not only his desire but also his belief that the promise would be fulfilled.

How shall we order? Literally, “What shall be the rule [ordinance, rule of life] for the child?” This prayer should be upon the hearts of all parents. Their children are, in a special sense, gifts from the Lord. Upon fathers and mothers rests the responsibility of training these little ones, so that they may fulfill the destiny divinely planned for them. Rearing children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord (Eph. 6:4) is one of the most important and difficult tasks of life. The work cannot be successfully accomplished without divine assistance. Parents should seek the Lord for guidance, that they may know how to order their children.

In asking how to order the child, Manoah used the term “we.” The Messenger had given the original instructions to his wife, but Manoah rightfully looked upon himself as essentially connected with the wise management of the promised child. The joint endeavor of parents is essential to the proper training of children.

How shall we do unto him? Literally, “What shall be his work?” Manoah’s questions were directed toward a confirmation of what the Angel had told his wife on the first meeting, namely, that the child was to be a Nazirite, fully devoted to God’s service, and that his work would be to deliver Israel.

14. All that I commanded. The Messenger did not answer Manoah’s question further than to repeat the instructions He had given to the woman at the first visit. The Lord sent the Angel back, not to give additional instructions, but to strengthen the faith of Manoah and to help prevent seeds of doubt from growing in his heart. The parents were urged to obey carefully the directions they had received, that the promised child might be fully consecrated to God for the work he was to do.

15. Made ready a kid. A kid was generally regarded as a special delicacy. Manoah was offering the very best entertainment for the unknown Messenger in an effort to induce his Visitor to remain for a time as their guest, so that they might learn more about Him, and perhaps obtain more information from Him.

16. If thou wilt offer a burnt offering. The Angel refused the offer of food, but suggested that Manoah might offer the kid as a burnt offering to the Lord. It is unlikely that Manoah was contemplating offering a sacrifice to the Messenger, for the record states clearly that he did not know that it was an Angel of the Lord. Yet the angels who visited Abraham and Lot partook of earthly food (Gen. 18:8; 19:3).

Palestine During the Period of the Judges

17. What is thy name? Manoah was becoming increasingly uncertain about the nature or identity of the mysterious Messenger who had made the remarkable promise to them. His refusal to eat food and the suggestion that they offer a sacrifice puzzled Manoah to the extent that he put a direct question to Him, hoping to learn His identity.

Do thee honour. If the word of the Messenger should come true, Manoah and his wife would want to honor Him in a special way—perhaps by naming the child after Him, or by publishing abroad His prophetic power, or by a gift. As it was, they did not even know who He was, and so could not hope to honor Him later.

18. Why askest thou? Jacob, after recognizing that the one with whom he had been wrestling was a heavenly visitant, had asked the Angel His name and received no reply (Gen. 32:29). Again this Angel (see on v. 3) refused to identify Himself, this time to Manoah. In contrast, Gabriel identified himself by name to Zacharias (Luke 1:19).

Secret. The Heb. pelХi is an adjective meaning “wonderful.” The noun form of the same word is translated “Wonderful” in Isa. 9:6 (see also Ex. 15:11; Isa. 25:1; 29:14; etc.). The word denotes something extraordinary, ineffable, beyond human understanding. The best illustration of the meaning of this word is the way it is used in Ps. 139:6: “Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.” The verb is used in the sense of “surpassing understanding” (see Job 42:3; Ps. 131:1; Prov. 30:18). It is probably because of this meaning of the word that the translators of the KJV rendered it here as “secret.” What is evidently meant is not that the name of the Angel was “Secret” or “Wonderful,” but that His name was beyond Manoah’s power to understand.

19. The angel. This word is supplied, as indicated by the italics, which means that it has no corresponding form in the Hebrew. A different sentence structure is possible (see below).

Did wonderously. This is the same root word in Hebrew as that used to describe the name of the Angel. Inasmuch as the word is in the participial form, it may be better to apply it to “Lord,” making the passage read “offered upon the rock to Jehovah, the one working wonders” (see Ex. 15:11). The reference seems to be both to the wonder God was going to work in the birth of the promised child, as well as to the miraculous disappearance of the Angel in the fire (v. 20).

20. Flame went up. Perhaps not a miraculous fire like that in ch. 6:21. The Angel declined the food, but suggested a burnt offering. Manoah probably supplied the fire when he “offered” it.

Ascended in the flame. This wonder was calculated to increase the faith of the couple in the promised birth of the child. They were to recognize that God was still working wonders in their days.

21. Manoah knew. He had suspected before that their Visitor was a messenger from God; now he had indisputable proof.

22. Surely die. See on ch. 6:22.

23. Pleased to kill us. Her reasoning was logical. Manoah was so filled with dread that he thought death would be their lot for having looked on the Angel. His wife, with quicker, keener insight, quickly realized that the Lord would not make them the promise of a child to deliver Israel, and then destroy them for having looked upon the Messenger through whom He had sent the message. Her deduction was correct. God does not act in a capricious way with His people. The thoughts He thinks toward us are thoughts of peace and not of evil (Jer. 29:11).

24. Samson. Heb. shimshon. The meaning of the word is disputed. Some think it is derived from shemesh, “sun.” Near Bethshemesh was a seat of the worship of the sun. However, it hardly seems likely that Manoah’s wife would name her promised son after a heathen deity. The root word also has the meaning “to serve” in the closely related Aramaic dialect. On the other hand shimshon may simply be descriptive of the parents’ joy at his birth, or of Samson’s “sunny” disposition as a child.

The Lord blessed him. God’s blessings are of many kinds. Those here alluded to included gifts of health, strength, and courage.

25. Spirit of the Lord. See on ch. 11:29. Samson knew that he was consecrated to God for a special function. His long hair and habits of abstinence that set him apart from the rest of the people were constant reminders of that. But human efforts and advantages are not sufficient of themselves to accomplish the work of God (see AA 53).

Began to move him. The Hebrew verb means “to disturb,” “to disquiet,” “to agitate.” Promptings from the Lord began to stir him up, to agitate his mind to plan action against the oppression of the Philistines. Samson felt impelled to exercise his unusual strength in deeds of valor.

At times. Some have thought that Samson used his unusual strength at times in this period to perform deeds of valor that the author does not describe, and that his beginning exploits are thus briefly referred to.

Camp of Dan. This is a proper name. Sometimes it is not translated, but given as Mahaneh-dan, as in ch. 18:12. The name originated in the migration of the hard-pressed tribe, which is described in chs. 18 and 19. Dan’s camp, or Mahaneh-dan, was near Kirjath-jearim (ch. 18:12), 8 mi. north of Zorah (see ch. 18:2).

Eshtaol. The exact location of this town is not known. It is always mentioned in connection with Zorah, which has led to the supposition that they were twin towns (see on v. 2). It has been thought to be the modern EshwaФ 2 mi. (3.2 km.) northeast of Zorah (see on v. 2).

Ellen G. White comments

1–25PP 560–562

2–8PP 560

3, 4 Te 90, 292

4     CD 218; DA 149; MH 333

5     PP 567

7     MH 372; Te 233

12   Ed 276; MH 379; PP 573

12–14PP 560

13, 14  AH 255; CD 218; MH 372

14   Te 90, 269

21, 22  1T 410

24   PP 562