Judges 14:16
Arabic 2016 (الكِتاب المُقَدَّس: التَّرْجَمَةُ العَرَبِيَّةُ المُبَسَّطَةُ)
فَبَكَتِ امْرأةُ شَمْشُونَ عَلَى كَتِفِهِ، وَقَالَتْ لَهُ: «أنْتَ تَكْرَهُنِي. أنْتَ لَا تُحِبُّنِي. أعْطَيْتَ لُغزًا لِشَعْبِي، وَلَمْ تُفَسِّرْهُ لِي.» فَقَالَ لَهَا: «اسْمَعِي، أنَا لَمْ أُفَسِّرْهُ حَتَّى لِأبِي وَأُمِّي، فَكَيْفَ أُفَسِّرُهُ لَكِ؟»
What Does This Mean?
In this verse from Judges, Samson's wife is crying because she thinks Samson hates her. He has given a riddle to her people but hasn't told her the answer. Samson explains that he hasn't even told his parents the answer, so he won't tell her.
Explained for Children
Imagine you have a secret that you haven't even told your best friend, and then your little sister asks you to tell her. You might say, 'If I didn't tell my best friend, why would I tell you?' That's how Samson felt about his secret and his wife.
Historical Background
This passage is part of the Book of Judges, written around the 6th century BCE. The audience was the Israelites, and it was written to show how God worked through flawed leaders like Samson to guide His people. The cultural setting is during the period when the Israelites were settling in Canaan.
Living It Out Today
In modern times, this verse can be applied to situations where trust is tested. For example, a friend might withhold a secret from another friend, thinking it will build trust if the secret is eventually shared, but it can actually cause doubt and suspicion.
Topics
trustmarriagesecretsconflict resolutioncommunicationbetrayal
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Samson not tell his wife the answer to the riddle?
Samson doesn't tell his wife the answer because he doesn't fully trust her. He believes that if he hasn't told his parents, he shouldn't tell her either, showing a lack of faith in their relationship.
What does this verse teach about trust in relationships?
This verse highlights how withholding information can damage trust in relationships. It shows that trust is built through honesty and openness, not by keeping secrets from each other.
How can this verse be applied to modern situations?
In modern contexts, this verse can be applied to situations where one partner in a relationship is withholding information from the other, causing suspicion and doubt. It's important to be honest to build trust.
What does the verse reveal about Samson's character?
The verse reveals that Samson is protective of his secrets and does not fully trust his wife. This shows a character flaw of mistrust and possibly arrogance, as he believes his secrets are more valuable than his relationship with his wife.