Judges 16:2
Arabic Bible AVD 1999 (الكتاب المقدس)
فَقِيلَ لِلْغَزِّيِّينَ: «قَدْ أَتَى شَمْشُونُ إِلَى هُنَا». فَأَحَاطُوا بِهِ وَكَمَنُوا لَهُ ٱللَّيْلَ كُلَّهُ عِنْدَ بَابِ ٱلْمَدِينَةِ. فَهَدَأُوا ٱللَّيْلَ كُلَّهُ قَائِلِينَ: «عِنْدَ ضَوْءِ ٱلصَّبَاحِ نَقْتُلُهُ».
What Does This Mean?
The verse tells us that the people of Gaza knew Samson had come to their city. They decided to wait for him at the city gate, planning to kill him in the morning when it was light enough.
Explained for Children
Imagine Samson was like a big, strong kid who sometimes got into trouble. The people of Gaza knew he was coming to their town, so they were like kids who decided to catch him when he came out of the school gate in the morning.
Historical Background
The Book of Judges was likely written by various authors and compiled over time, possibly by Samuel or another prophet. It was written around 1050-1000 BC and records events from around 1350-1050 BC. The audience were the Israelites, and it reflects the period of tribal confederacy before a centralized monarchy.
Living It Out Today
In modern times, this verse can remind us that plans and intentions are often revealed in our actions. Just as the Gazites made their intentions clear, we can be mindful of our own intentions and actions, especially when they involve harmful or deceitful plans.
Topics
faithstrengthdeceptionjudgmentconflictwisdom
Related Verses
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the Gazites want to kill Samson?
The Gazites saw Samson as a threat because of his strength and his previous attacks on them. They wanted to eliminate the threat he posed to their safety and power.
What does this show about Samson's reputation?
This shows that Samson was well-known for his strength and his actions against the Philistines, making him a target for enemies and creating a situation where his movements were closely watched.
How does this story relate to the theme of pride?
Samson's story often revolves around the theme of pride, as his downfall is often linked to his overconfidence in his strength and his failure to heed divine guidance.
What can we learn about planning and intention?
This story teaches us that intentions are often revealed in our actions and that careful planning can be a response to perceived threats, but it also shows the consequences of deceitful or harmful plans.