What does Judges 14:19 mean?
"¶ And the Spirit of the LORD came upon him, and he went down to Ashkelon, and slew thirty men of them, and took their spoil, and gave change of garments unto them which expounded the riddle. And his anger was kindled, and he went up to his father's house." - Judges 14:19
The Bible verse Judges 14:19 from the King James Version (KJV) reads, "And the Spirit of the Lord came upon him, and he went down to Ashkelon, and slew thirty men of them, and took their spoil, and gave change of garments unto them which expounded the riddle. And his anger was kindled, and he went up to his father's house."
This verse comes from the Book of Judges, which is a part of the historical books of the Old Testament. The Book of Judges recounts a period of time in Israel's history when the people were ruled by a series of leaders, referred to as judges. These judges were often raised up by God to deliver the Israelites from their enemies and lead them back to a righteous and faithful way of living. This particular verse is part of the story of Samson, one of the most well-known judges in the Bible.
In this specific passage, we see Samson exhibiting his great strength and the influence of the Spirit of the Lord upon him. Samson goes to the Philistine city of Ashkelon and, through the power of the Spirit, he is able to slay thirty men and take their spoil. This act demonstrates the strength and authority that God had bestowed upon Samson, as well as the unfolding of God's plan to use Samson as a deliverer of Israel from the Philistines.
One of the key themes in this verse is the idea of divine empowerment. The Spirit of the Lord coming upon Samson signifies the presence and influence of God in his life. This highlights the divine calling and purpose that Samson was serving. It serves as a reminder that with God's empowerment, ordinary people can accomplish extraordinary feats, as seen in Samson's ability to overcome a group of armed men on his own.
Additionally, this verse also emphasizes the concept of God's faithfulness to His people. Despite the Israelites' disobedience and faithlessness, God continues to raise up leaders and champions to deliver them from their enemies. Samson's victory over the Philistines, with the help of the Spirit of the Lord, serves as a testament to God's unwavering commitment to His chosen people.
Furthermore, the act of Samson giving change of garments to those who expounded the riddle holds symbolic significance. It underscores the idea of Samson's victory and the magnanimity of his character. It also reflects his cleverness and cunning, as he had previously posed a riddle to the Philistines, and they were only able to solve it with the help of his wife. By providing them with the change of garments, Samson fulfills his promise and reinforces his dominance over the Philistines.
The final part of the verse, "And his anger was kindled, and he went up to his father's house," reveals Samson's emotional state following his victorious encounter with the Philistines. This reaction serves as a precursor to the events that unfold later in the story, leading to his further conflicts with the Philistines and ultimately, his downfall.
In conclusion, Judges 14:19 from the King James Version sheds light on the character of Samson, the empowerment of the Spirit of the Lord, and the ongoing struggle between the Israelites and the Philistines. It also conveys broader themes of divine intervention, faithfulness, and the complexities of human emotions. This verse serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty and His continual involvement in the lives of His people, as well as the intricate intertwining of human will and divine purpose.
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Judges 14:19 - "¶ And the Spirit of the LORD came upon him, and he went down to Ashkelon, and slew thirty men of them, and took their spoil, and gave change of garments unto them which expounded the riddle. And his anger was kindled, and he went up to his father's house."
"¶ And the Spirit of the LORD came upon him, and he went down to Ashkelon, and slew thirty men of them, and took their spoil, and gave change of garments unto them which expounded the riddle. And his anger was kindled, and he went up to his father's house." - Judges 14:19
Judges 19:14 - "And they passed on and went their way; and the sun went down upon them when they were by Gibeah, which belongeth to Benjamin."
"And they passed on and went their way; and the sun went down upon them when they were by Gibeah, which belongeth to Benjamin." - Judges 19:14
Judges 20:19 - "And the children of Israel rose up in the morning, and encamped against Gibeah."
Judges 19:19 - "Yet there is both straw and provender for our asses; and there is bread and wine also for me, and for thy handmaid, and for the young man which is with thy servants: there is no want of any thing."
Judges 11:14 - "And Jephthah sent messengers again unto the king of the children of Ammon:"
2 Chronicles 19:6 - "And said to the judges, Take heed what ye do: for ye judge not for man, but for the LORD, who is with you in the judgment."
Judges 14:11 - "And it came to pass, when they saw him, that they brought thirty companions to be with him."
Judges 14:1 - "And Samson went down to Timnath, and saw a woman in Timnath of the daughters of the Philistines."
Judges 3:14 - "So the children of Israel served Eglon the king of Moab eighteen years."
Judges 14:7 - "And he went down, and talked with the woman; and she pleased Samson well."
2 Chronicles 19:5 - "¶ And he set judges in the land throughout all the fenced cities of Judah, city by city,"
Judges 5:19 - "The kings came and fought, then fought the kings of Canaan in Taanach by the waters of Megiddo; they took no gain of money."
Judges 14:14 - "And he said unto them, Out of the eater came forth meat, and out of the strong came forth sweetness. And they could not in three days expound the riddle."
Judges 9:14 - "Then said all the trees unto the bramble, Come thou, and reign over us."
Judges 14:20 - "But Samson's wife was given to his companion, whom he had used as his friend."
Judges 12:14 - "And he had forty sons and thirty nephews, that rode on threescore and ten ass colts: and he judged Israel eight years."
Judges 19:7 - "And when the man rose up to depart, his father in law urged him: therefore he lodged there again."
Judges 19:26 - "Then came the woman in the dawning of the day, and fell down at the door of the man's house where her lord was, till it was light."
Numbers 19:14-19 Touching a dead is unclean
Genesis 19-14
Psalm 19:14
Deuteronomy 19:18 - "And the judges shall make diligent inquisition: and, behold, if the witness be a false witness, and hath testified falsely against his brother;"
Judges 19:21 - "So he brought him into his house, and gave provender unto the asses: and they washed their feet, and did eat and drink."
Romans 14:13 - "Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way."
Judges 1:19 - "And the LORD was with Judah; and he drave out the inhabitants of the mountain; but could not drive out the inhabitants of the valley, because they had chariots of iron."
Judges 19:20 - "And the old man said, Peace be with thee; howsoever let all thy wants lie upon me; only lodge not in the street."
Luke 11:19 - "And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your sons cast them out? therefore shall they be your judges."
Deuteronomy 19:17 - "Then both the men, between whom the controversy is, shall stand before the LORD, before the priests and the judges, which shall be in those days;"