INTRODUCTION: Revenge may seem sweet but it solves nothing when used in the context of personal relationships. Rather, it creates a spiraling intensity of vengeance in which the party wronged last must repay for the damage received in order to square accounts. It becomes an unending mess.

God uses Samson’s fleshly nature in order to do the work He has for him (see Judges 14:4But his father and his mother knew not that it was of the LORD, that he sought an occasion against the Philistines: for at that time the Philistines had dominion over Israel.
See All...). But this does not change the fleshly nature of Samson’s actions. Samson has been wronged, so he is going to get vengeance. He thinks this will solve the problem. He says, “yet will I be avenged of you, and after that I will cease” (Judges 15:7And Samson said unto them, Though ye have done this, yet will I be avenged of you, and after that I will cease.
See All...). But the problem never ends. The Philistines return “to do to him as he hath done to us” (Judges 15:10And the men of Judah said, Why are ye come up against us? And they answered, To bind Samson are we come up, to do to him as he hath done to us.
See All...) and Samson justifies himself, “As they did unto me, so have I done unto them” (Judges 15:11Then three thousand men of Judah went to the top of the rock Etam, and said to Samson, Knowest thou not that the Philistines are rulers over us? what is this that thou hast done unto us? And he said unto them, As they did unto me, so have I done unto them.
See All...). There is simply no end to the paybacks.

This explains why God has told believers to let Him take care of the vengeance. Revenge is required for justice but it is not for individuals to bring it about. God is the One “to whom vengeance belongeth” (Psalm 94:1O Lord God, to whom vengeance belongeth; O God, to whom vengeance belongeth, shew thyself.
See All...). He tells us, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, saith the Lord” (Romans 12:19Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
See All...). We must allow God to set things right and not take things into our own hands. This story of Samson demonstrates the faults of revenge. We would do well to take heed.

1. THE SPIRAL OF REVENGE (Judges 15:1-8 [1] But it came to pass within a while after, in the time of wheat harvest, that Samson visited his wife with a kid; and he said, I will go in to my wife into the chamber. But her father would not suffer him to go in. [2] And her father said, I verily thought that thou hadst utterly hated her; therefore I gave her to thy companion: is not her younger sister fairer than she? take her, I pray thee, instead of her. [3] And Samson said concerning them, Now shall I be more blameless than the Philistines, though I do them a displeasure. [4] And Samson went and caught three hundred foxes, and took firebrands, and turned tail to tail, and put a firebrand in the midst between two tails. [5] And when he had set the brands on fire, he let them go into the standing corn of the Philistines, and burnt up both the shocks, and also the standing corn, with the vineyards and olives. [6] Then the Philistines said, Who hath done this? And they answered, Samson, the son in law of the Timnite, because he had taken his wife, and given her to his companion. And the Philistines came up, and burnt her and her father with fire. [7] And Samson said unto them, Though ye have done this, yet will I be avenged of you, and after that I will cease. [8] And he smote them hip and thigh with a great slaughter: and he went down and dwelt in the top of the rock Etam.
   See All...)
1. Samson Discovers His Betrayal (Judges 15:1-2 [1] But it came to pass within a while after, in the time of wheat harvest, that Samson visited his wife with a kid; and he said, I will go in to my wife into the chamber. But her father would not suffer him to go in. [2] And her father said, I verily thought that thou hadst utterly hated her; therefore I gave her to thy companion: is not her younger sister fairer than she? take her, I pray thee, instead of her.
   See All...).
1. Samson returns to his wife (Judges 15:1But it came to pass within a while after, in the time of wheat harvest, that Samson visited his wife with a kid; and he said, I will go in to my wife into the chamber. But her father would not suffer him to go in.
   See All...).
1. At the time of wheat harvest – around May and a time of rejoicing
2. He brings a gift of a kid goat. This may seem like an odd gift today, but it was common as a gift in the Bible (Genesis 38:17And he said, I will send thee a kid from the flock. And she said, Wilt thou give me a pledge, till thou send it?
   See All...; Luke 15:29And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends:
   See All...).
3. He seeks to make a fleshly union. Samson thinks only of himself and his carnal pleasure. He is selfish and carnal.
4. Her father refuses to let Samson in.
2. Her father justifies his actions (Judges 15:2And her father said, I verily thought that thou hadst utterly hated her; therefore I gave her to thy companion: is not her younger sister fairer than she? take her, I pray thee, instead of her.
   See All...).
1. It seemed that Samson had rejected her.
2. She was given to his wedding companion (see Judges 14:20But Samson's wife was given to his companion, whom he had used as his friend.
   See All...).
3. The father offers her younger sister.
1. She is available.
2. She is prettier.
3. NOTE: The father seems to understand Samson’s carnal nature but overlooks the power of his pride. Samson has been wronged, and he will have revenge.
2. Samson Burns the Fields (Judges 15:3-5 [3] And Samson said concerning them, Now shall I be more blameless than the Philistines, though I do them a displeasure. [4] And Samson went and caught three hundred foxes, and took firebrands, and turned tail to tail, and put a firebrand in the midst between two tails. [5] And when he had set the brands on fire, he let them go into the standing corn of the Philistines, and burnt up both the shocks, and also the standing corn, with the vineyards and olives.
   See All...).
1. Samson declares himself blameless in his revenge (Judges 15:3And Samson said concerning them, Now shall I be more blameless than the Philistines, though I do them a displeasure.
   See All...). Perhaps Samson realized his guilt when he killed 30 men for their garments, but this time he assumes no responsibility for what is going to take place.
2. Samson catches 300 foxes (Judges 15:4And Samson went and caught three hundred foxes, and took firebrands, and turned tail to tail, and put a firebrand in the midst between two tails.
   See All...); 300 seems to be the number to get things done in the book of Judges (Judges 7:6-7 [6] And the number of them that lapped, putting their hand to their mouth, were three hundred men: but all the rest of the people bowed down upon their knees to drink water. [7] And the LORD said unto Gideon, By the three hundred men that lapped will I save you, and deliver the Midianites into thine hand: and let all the other people go every man unto his place.
   See All...).
3. He ties them in two’s tail to tail, puts a firebrand between them, and releases them (Judges 15:4And Samson went and caught three hundred foxes, and took firebrands, and turned tail to tail, and put a firebrand in the midst between two tails.
   See All...). They will try to run from the fire but will be pulling against each other. Their uncertain and halting path will cause them to start many fires in the fields.
4. He burns the wheat, the vineyards, and the olives (Judges 15:5And when he had set the brands on fire, he let them go into the standing corn of the Philistines, and burnt up both the shocks, and also the standing corn, with the vineyards and olives.
   See All...).
3. The Philistines Kill His Wife (Judges 15:6Then the Philistines said, Who hath done this? And they answered, Samson, the son in law of the Timnite, because he had taken his wife, and given her to his companion. And the Philistines came up, and burnt her and her father with fire.
   See All...).
1. They discover the cause of Samson’s anger.
2. They kill Samson’s wife and her father. Note: This was already a threat of the Philistines in our last lesson. Even though she complied with their request, she still is burned (Judges 14:15And it came to pass on the seventh day, that they said unto Samson's wife, Entice 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 take that we have? is it not so?
   See All...). This reminds us of making deals with the Devil.
4. Samson Kills a Great Number (Judges 15:7-8 [7] And Samson said unto them, Though ye have done this, yet will I be avenged of you, and after that I will cease. [8] And he smote them hip and thigh with a great slaughter: and he went down and dwelt in the top of the rock Etam.
   See All...).
1. Samson says he will quit after further vengeance (Judges 15:7And Samson said unto them, Though ye have done this, yet will I be avenged of you, and after that I will cease.
   See All...).
2. He smites the Philistines with a great slaughter (Judges 15:8And he smote them hip and thigh with a great slaughter: and he went down and dwelt in the top of the rock Etam.
   See All...).
3. He dwells in the top of the rock Etam (Judges 15:8And he smote them hip and thigh with a great slaughter: and he went down and dwelt in the top of the rock Etam.
   See All...).
2. THE REJECTION OF SAMSON (Judges 15:9-13 [9] Then the Philistines went up, and pitched in Judah, and spread themselves in Lehi. [10] And the men of Judah said, Why are ye come up against us? And they answered, To bind Samson are we come up, to do to him as he hath done to us. [11] Then three thousand men of Judah went to the top of the rock Etam, and said to Samson, Knowest thou not that the Philistines are rulers over us? what is this that thou hast done unto us? And he said unto them, As they did unto me, so have I done unto them. [12] And they said unto him, We are come down to bind thee, that we may deliver thee into the hand of the Philistines. And Samson said unto them, Swear unto me, that ye will not fall upon me yourselves. [13] And they spake unto him, saying, No; but we will bind thee fast, and deliver thee into their hand: but surely we will not kill thee. And they bound him with two new cords, and brought him up from the rock.
   See All...)
1. The Philistines Bring an Army against Samson (Judges 15:9Then the Philistines went up, and pitched in Judah, and spread themselves in Lehi.
   See All...).
2. Judah Comes Up against Samson (Judges 15:10-11 [10] And the men of Judah said, Why are ye come up against us? And they answered, To bind Samson are we come up, to do to him as he hath done to us. [11] Then three thousand men of Judah went to the top of the rock Etam, and said to Samson, Knowest thou not that the Philistines are rulers over us? what is this that thou hast done unto us? And he said unto them, As they did unto me, so have I done unto them.
   See All...).
1. Judah is not ready for deliverance but desires to please the Philistines (Judges 15:10And the men of Judah said, Why are ye come up against us? And they answered, To bind Samson are we come up, to do to him as he hath done to us.
   See All...). They are content with their servitude.
2. Three thousand men of Judah come against Samson (Judges 15:11Then three thousand men of Judah went to the top of the rock Etam, and said to Samson, Knowest thou not that the Philistines are rulers over us? what is this that thou hast done unto us? And he said unto them, As they did unto me, so have I done unto them.
   See All...); why do they not fight against the Philistines?
3. The men of Judah accuse Samson of doing wrong against them (Judges 15:11Then three thousand men of Judah went to the top of the rock Etam, and said to Samson, Knowest thou not that the Philistines are rulers over us? what is this that thou hast done unto us? And he said unto them, As they did unto me, so have I done unto them.
   See All...).
4. Samson justifies himself in his own selfish way (Judges 15:11Then three thousand men of Judah went to the top of the rock Etam, and said to Samson, Knowest thou not that the Philistines are rulers over us? what is this that thou hast done unto us? And he said unto them, As they did unto me, so have I done unto them.
   See All...).
3. Samson Surrenders to Judah (Judges 15:12-13 [12] And they said unto him, We are come down to bind thee, that we may deliver thee into the hand of the Philistines. And Samson said unto them, Swear unto me, that ye will not fall upon me yourselves. [13] And they spake unto him, saying, No; but we will bind thee fast, and deliver thee into their hand: but surely we will not kill thee. And they bound him with two new cords, and brought him up from the rock.
   See All...).
1. Judah promises not to kill Samson themselves (Judges 15:12And they said unto him, We are come down to bind thee, that we may deliver thee into the hand of the Philistines. And Samson said unto them, Swear unto me, that ye will not fall upon me yourselves.
   See All...).
2. Samson allows them to bind him with two new cords (Judges 15:13And they spake unto him, saying, No; but we will bind thee fast, and deliver thee into their hand: but surely we will not kill thee. And they bound him with two new cords, and brought him up from the rock.
   See All...).
3. THE VICTORY OF SAMSON (Judges 15:14-17 [14] And when he came unto Lehi, the Philistines shouted against him: and the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon him, and the cords that were upon his arms became as flax that was burnt with fire, and his bands loosed from off his hands. [15] And he found a new jawbone of an ass, and put forth his hand, and took it, and slew a thousand men therewith. [16] And Samson said, With the jawbone of an ass, heaps upon heaps, with the jaw of an ass have I slain a thousand men. [17] And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking, that he cast away the jawbone out of his hand, and called that place Ramathlehi.
   See All...)
1. The Spirit of the Lord Comes upon Samson (Judges 15:14And when he came unto Lehi, the Philistines shouted against him: and the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon him, and the cords that were upon his arms became as flax that was burnt with fire, and his bands loosed from off his hands.
   See All...).
1. The Philistines shout against Samson.
2. The Spirit of the Lord comes on Samson.
3. Samson breaks the cords from off his arms.
2. Samson Slays a Thousand Philistines (Judges 15:15And he found a new jawbone of an ass, and put forth his hand, and took it, and slew a thousand men therewith.
   See All...).
1. Samson takes a “new” jawbone of an ass.
2. Samson slays a thousand men.
3. Samson Celebrates His Victory (Judges 15:16-17 [16] And Samson said, With the jawbone of an ass, heaps upon heaps, with the jaw of an ass have I slain a thousand men. [17] And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking, that he cast away the jawbone out of his hand, and called that place Ramathlehi.
   See All...).
1. Samson writes a song to celebrate his victory (Judges 15:16And Samson said, With the jawbone of an ass, heaps upon heaps, with the jaw of an ass have I slain a thousand men.
   See All...); notice the song says nothing about God.
2. Samson casts away the jawbone (Judges 15:17And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking, that he cast away the jawbone out of his hand, and called that place Ramathlehi.
   See All...).
3. Samson calls the place Ramath-lehi [ the casting away of the jawbone ] (Judges 15:17And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking, that he cast away the jawbone out of his hand, and called that place Ramathlehi.
   See All...).
4. THE THIRST OF SAMSON (Judges 15:18-20 [18] And he was sore athirst, and called on the LORD, and said, Thou hast given this great deliverance into the hand of thy servant: and now shall I die for thirst, and fall into the hand of the uncircumcised? [19] But God clave an hollow place that was in the jaw, and there came water thereout; and when he had drunk, his spirit came again, and he revived: wherefore he called the name thereof Enhakkore, which is in Lehi unto this day. [20] And he judged Israel in the days of the Philistines twenty years.
   See All...)
1. Samson Cries to the Lord in His Thirst (Judges 15:18And he was sore athirst, and called on the LORD, and said, Thou hast given this great deliverance into the hand of thy servant: and now shall I die for thirst, and fall into the hand of the uncircumcised?
   See All...).
1. Only when he suffers is he ready to give God the glory.
2. Only when he wants something is he concerned about the “uncircumcised” Philistines.
2. The Lord Provides Water from the Jaw (Judges 15:19But God clave an hollow place that was in the jaw, and there came water thereout; and when he had drunk, his spirit came again, and he revived: wherefore he called the name thereof Enhakkore, which is in Lehi unto this day.
   See All...).
1. That which he is ready to throw away becomes the source of his deliverance.
2. His spirit revives and he returns to his selfishness. We see this in his name for the place. En-hakkore means the well that I have named . Once again, as in his song to himself, there is no reference to God.
3. Samson Judges Israel for Twenty Years (Judges 15:20And he judged Israel in the days of the Philistines twenty years.
   See All...).

CONCLUSION: This chapter shows us the actions of a carnal man in the life of Samson. It also shows us the fruitlessness of taking personal revenge. Finally, the actions of Judah show us that some men are satisfied in their servitude and do not desire deliverance and will not fight for it. How could you apply these lessons to your own life?