📖 Judges — Chapter 14 (KJV)
Read the complete King James Version chapter below, then explore the passage sections, check what you remember, and keep your private study notes.
Scripture source: Project Gutenberg KJV, ebook 10.
Judges 14:1 And Samson went down to Timnath, and saw a woman in Timnath of the daughters of the Philistines.
Judges 14:2 And he came up, and told his father and his mother, and said, I have seen a woman in Timnath of the daughters of the Philistines: now therefore Rget her for me to wife.
Judges 14:3 Then his father and his mother said unto him, Is there never a woman among the daughters of Rthy brethren, or among all my people, that thou goest to take a wife of the uncircumcised Philistines? And Samson said unto his father, Get her for me; for she Tpleaseth me well.
Judges 14:4 But his father and his mother knew not that Rit was of the LORD, that he sought an occasion against the Philistines: for at that time the Philistines had dominion over Israel.
Judges 14:5 Then went Samson down, and his father and his mother, to Timnath, and came to the vineyards of Timnath: and, behold, a young lion roared Tagainst him.
Judges 14:6 And Rthe Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon him, and he rent him as he would have rent a kid, and he had nothing in his hand: but he told not his father or his mother what he had done.
Judges 14:7 And he went down, and talked with the woman; and she pleased Samson well.
Judges 14:8 And after a time he returned Rto take her, and he turned aside to see the carcase of the lion: and, behold, there was a swarm of bees and honey in the carcase of the lion.
Judges 14:9 And he took thereof in his hands, and went on eating, and came to his father and mother, and he gave them, and they did eat: but he told not them that he had taken the honey out of the carcase of the lion.
Judges 14:10 So his father went down unto the woman: and Samson Rmade there a feast; for so used the young men to do.
Judges 14:11 And it came to pass, when they Rsaw him, that they brought thirty companions to be with him.
Judges 14:12 And Samson said unto them, I will now put forth Ra riddle unto you: if ye can certainly declare it me within the seven days of the feast, and find it out, then I will give you thirty Tsheets and thirty change of garments:
Judges 14:13 But if ye cannot declare it me, then shall ye give me thirty Tsheets and thirty change of garments. And they said unto him, Put forth thy riddle, that we may hear it.
Judges 14:14 And he said unto them, ROut of the eater came forth meat, and out of the strong came forth sweetness. And they could not in three days expound the riddle.
Judges 14:15 And it came to pass on the seventh day, that they said unto Samson’s wife, REntice thy husband, that he may declare unto us the riddle, lest we burn thee and thy father’s house with fire: have ye called us to Ttake that we have? is it not so?
Judges 14:16 And Samson’s wife wept before him, and said, RThou dost but hate me, and lovest me not: thou hast put forth a riddle unto the children of my people, and hast not told it me. And he said unto her, Behold, I have not told it my father nor my mother, and shall I tell it thee?
Judges 14:17 And she wept before him Tthe seven days, while their feast lasted: and it came to pass on the seventh day, that he told her, because Rshe lay sore upon him: and she told the riddle to the children of her people.
Judges 14:18 And the men of the city said unto him on the seventh day before the sun went down, What is sweeter than honey? And what is stronger than a lion? and he said unto them, If ye had not plowed with my heifer, ye had not found out my riddle.
Judges 14:19 And Rthe Spirit of the LORD came upon him, and he went down to Ashkelon, and slew thirty men of them, and took their Tspoil, and gave change of garments unto them which expounded the riddle. And his anger was kindled, and he went up to his father’s house.
Judges 14:20 But Samson’s wife was Rgiven to his companion, whom he had used as his friend.
📚 Study This Chapter
📖 What We’re Reading
Judges 14:1–9 — Timnath, the lion, and the honey
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Samson seeks a Philistine wife despite his parents' objection. The narrator states that the LORD is seeking an occasion against Philistine rule, while also recording Samson's insistence on what pleases him. The Spirit empowers him against a lion; later he takes honey from its carcass and conceals its source.
Key Truth: God's stated purpose and Samson's personal motives are both present in the narrative.
Check What You Remember
1. At which place did Samson see the woman? (Judges 14:1)
Find it in Judges 14:1 (KJV).
2. Which animal attacked him? (Judges 14:5)
Find it in Judges 14:5 (KJV).
3. What did he find in its carcass later? (Judges 14:8)
Find it in Judges 14:8 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
Judges 14:10–14 — A riddle at the feast
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Samson makes a feast with thirty companions and offers a riddle tied to the lion and honey. The wager involves clothing, and the companions cannot explain the riddle at first. The reader knows the background that the companions do not.
Key Truth: The riddle draws on an experience Samson has kept hidden.
Check What You Remember
1. How many companions were brought to Samson? (Judges 14:11)
Find it in Judges 14:11 (KJV).
2. How many days were allowed to solve the riddle? (Judges 14:12)
Find it in Judges 14:12 (KJV).
3. What came from the strong in the riddle? (Judges 14:14)
Find it in Judges 14:14 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
Judges 14:15–20 — Threats, disclosure, and anger
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
The companions threaten Samson's wife and her household, pressing her to obtain the answer. She tells them after Samson yields to her pressure. He kills thirty men at Ashkelon to pay the wager and returns angrily to his father's house; his wife is then given to his companion. This sequence shows coercion and escalating violence.
Key Truth: The account's deception and violence should be observed without treating them as marriage advice.
Check What You Remember
1. On which day did Samson tell his wife the answer? (Judges 14:17)
Find it in Judges 14:17 (KJV).
2. What sweet substance did the men's answer name? (Judges 14:18)
Find it in Judges 14:18 (KJV).
3. At which city did Samson obtain the garments? (Judges 14:19)
Find it in Judges 14:19 (KJV).
Related Scripture (KJV)
Judges 13:5 — The birth announcement supplies the larger setting of deliverance from the Philistines.
This related passage is selected for its connection with this chapter. It is separate from the chapter text.
Reflect and Apply
Where does the chapter show concealed information, coercion, and anger? How does the stated purpose in verse 4 differ from approving every action in the story?
Advanced Questions and Answers
Study this chapter’s wording, patterns, contrasts, and meaning in greater depth.
1. What distinction does the narrator make about Samson’s parents’ understanding?
2. What two events does Samson conceal from his parents?
3. How does the riddle connect with the earlier incident?
4. What pressure lies behind Samson’s wife seeking the answer?
5. How are the promised garments ultimately supplied?
Notes
Write what you want to remember, questions to explore, or Scriptures to look up later. Your saved notes are private to your account.
Loading your notes…
Chapter Navigation