Today’s daily devotional in Judges 15 continues the dramatic account of Samson, a man chosen by God, yet deeply flawed in character. Despite his shortcomings, Samson is empowered by the Spirit of the Lord to accomplish God’s purposes. In this passage, we witness how the Spirit rushes upon him to deliver Israel from its enemies in extraordinary ways, including the burning of fields and slaying of a thousand men with the jawbone of a donkey.
This reflection invites us to consider how God works through imperfect people to fulfill His plans. The author shares personal experiences and questions—how do we relate to God when facing challenges or moments of anger? Have we ever felt the Spirit of the Lord rush upon us, or sensed His presence in our lives during difficult times? As you read or listen to Judges 15, reflect on how the Spirit empowers you for God’s purpose today. Read about Samson’s marriage in the daily devotional on Judges 14.
Judges 15 Commentary by Allen J. Huth
Judges 15 is the continuing story of Samson. The Spirit of the Lord rushes upon him. Has the Spirit of the Lord ever rushed upon you? Please read or listen to Judges 15.
Did the Holy Spirit Come on Samson?
In 1983, I read Judges 14 and 15 on the same day. I wrote about Judges 15, “Samson burns crops, kills a thousand men with jawbone of a donkey. The Spirit of the Lord was upon him.”
Why Is My Job Giving Me Anger Issues?
In 1995, I was still transitioning between one job and another. In my journal, I wrote, “Things are coming to an end at CACI. The Foundation did not accept my proposal to stay on 25% of my time as executive director. The president of CACI then told me my severance started 2 weeks ago, December 1st. What a crock. I wanted it to start January 1st. Final decision today.”
As on other days in Judges, I share my prayer for the day. “Confession of sins: anger, questioning why Christians have to suffer and get beat up by Satan if God is greater.” That is the end of my prayer, but I just want to make an interlude here. Obviously, the stress of this job change has been an emotional roller coaster for me. Sometimes I am very spiritual and praising the Lord and waiting on Him to see what comes next. At other times, as indicated here, I get angry, and I am upset at what happens to me as a Christian.
You may be the same way. As much as I try to be spiritual all the time, I hardly succeed. Maybe you too, under stressful situations, have questions like this: Why do Christians have to suffer and get beat up by Satan if God is greater? In this instance, and in most instances, it always turns out okay. But in the midst of the trial, it is not very much fun.
What Happened to Samson in Judges 15?
Here is what I wrote about Judges 15 (NASB) that day, “Samson’s revenge. For losing his former wife, he burns the fields. They kill his former wife. He kills a thousand men.” I quoted verse 11,“‘As they did to me, so have I done to them.’ Proud of his accomplishments, he pleads to God for a drink of water. God provides because He’s using Samson to accomplish His purpose. God, use me in spite of my sinfulness, revenge, and pride, to accomplish Your purpose.”
In 2016, I wrote, “Samson’s wife was given to his companion by her father, not by Samson. So far, solving his riddle and now losing his wife, God appears to be using this all to build up Samson’s anger against the Philistines.” Then I wrote a question in my journal, “How can a man tie three hundred foxes tail by tail together? Foxes are not tame.”
I continued to write, “He kills a thousand men with the jawbone of a donkey. Then God splits open a rock to give Samson a drink of water. The Spirit of the Lord rushed upon him, so God is with Samson.” I share one line of my prayer that day, “You use Samson to judge the Philistines, a man of questionable character. Use me to accomplish Your purpose.”
What did Samson Do to the Foxes?
Concerning my question about whether Samson could tie tails of three hundred foxes together, I refer to my English Standard Version Bible footnote, on verse 4:
It is possible that the animals were not foxes but jackals, which were more common in Palestine. The two animals look similar, and the same Hebrew word is used for both. Whereas foxes are solitary, jackals travel in packs, and thus 300 of them could be caught more easily. Both animals have long tails that could be tied together (p. 464).
Even with that explanation, I would love to see a movie where Samson ties 300 fox tails together.
Verse 14 says, “Then the Spirit of the Lord rushed upon him.” Has that happened to you lately? Have you ever experienced the Spirit of the Lord rushing upon you? I would not phrase my relationship with the Holy Spirit in this way. But I am thankful I sense the Holy Spirit dwelling within me. I hope you do too. Having the Holy Spirit within me does not give me the courage to go kill a thousand men, but it does give me hope to live my life every day in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Prayer
Father, as You strengthened Samson physically as the Spirit rushed upon him, we pray You will strengthen us spiritually in the power of the Holy Spirit as we live out our lives for You. Holy Spirit, rush upon us this day. We ask it in the name of Jesus, our Savior. Amen.
