Desire, a riddle, and a compromised beginning

“And Samson went down to Timnath, and saw a woman in Timnath of the daughters of the Philistines.” Naming Timnath and Philistines keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“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…” Naming Philistines and Timnath keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Then his father and his mother said unto him, Is there never a woman among the daughters of thy brethren, or among all…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“But his father and his mother knew not that it was of the LORD , that he sought an occasion against the Philistines…” Naming Philistines and Israel keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Then went Samson down, and his father and his mother, to Timnath, and came to the vineyards of Timnath: and, behold, a…” Naming Timnath and Samson keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon him, and he rent him as he would have rent a kid, and he had nothing in…” The verse names Spirit rather than leaving the action without a source. Watch whether the next line continues, answers, or contrasts that action.

“And he went down, and talked with the woman; and she pleased Samson well.” Naming Samson keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And after a time he returned to take her, and he turned aside to see the carcase of the lion: and, behold, there was a…” The line’s distinctive content terms include carcase, lion, aside. Its relationship to verses 7 and 9 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And he took thereof in his hands, and went on eating, and came to his father and mother, and he gave them, and they…” The line’s distinctive content terms include carcase, eating, father. Its relationship to verses 8 shows what work it does in this passage.

“So his father went down unto the woman: and Samson made there a feast; for so used the young men to do.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“And it came to pass, when they saw him, that they brought thirty companions to be with him.” This familiar narrative signal moves the clock forward. What follows is a new scene, consequence, or answer to an earlier tension.

“And Samson said unto them, I will now put forth a riddle unto you: if ye can certainly declare it me within the seven…” The number seven makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“But if ye cannot declare it me, then shall ye give me thirty sheets and thirty change of garments. And they said unto…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And he said unto them, Out of the eater came forth meat, and out of the strong came forth sweetness. And they could…” The number three makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And it came to pass on the seventh day, that they said unto Samson’s wife, Entice thy husband, that he may declare…” This familiar narrative signal moves the clock forward. What follows is a new scene, consequence, or answer to an earlier tension.

“And Samson’s wife wept before him, and said, Thou dost but hate me, and lovest me not: thou hast put forth a riddle…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“And she wept before him the seven days, while their feast lasted: and it came to pass on the seventh day, that he told…” This familiar narrative signal moves the clock forward. What follows is a new scene, consequence, or answer to an earlier tension.

“And the men of the city said unto him on the seventh day before the sun went down, What is sweeter than honey? and…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“And the Spirit of the LORD came upon him, and he went down to Ashkelon, and slew thirty men of them, and took their…” The number thirty makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“But Samson’s wife was given to his companion, whom he had used as his friend.” Naming Samson keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.