Samson
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with the object of his choice, or whether he was placing himself in a
position where he could not fulfill the purpose to be accomplished by
his life. To all who seek first to honor Him, God has promised wisdom;
but there is no promise to those who are bent upon self-pleasing.
How many are pursuing the same course as did Samson! How often
marriages are formed between the godly and the ungodly, because
inclination governs in the selection of husband or wife! The parties
do not ask counsel of God, nor have His glory in view. Christianity
ought to have a controlling influence upon the marriage relation, but
it is too often the case that the motives which lead to this union are
not in keeping with Christian principles. Satan is constantly seeking
to strengthen his power over the people of God by inducing them to
enter into alliance with his subjects; and in order to accomplish this he
endeavors to arouse unsanctified passions in the heart. But the Lord
has in His word plainly instructed His people not to unite themselves
with those who have not His love abiding in them. “What concord
hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an
infidel? and what agreement hath the temple of God with idols?”
2
Corinthians 6:15, 16
.
At his marriage feast Samson was brought into familiar association
with those who hated the God of Israel. Whoever voluntarily enters
into such relations will feel it necessary to conform, to some degree,
to the habits and customs of his companions. The time thus spent is
worse than wasted. Thoughts are entertained and words are spoken
that tend to break down the strongholds of principle and to weaken the
citadel of the soul.
The wife, to obtain whom Samson had transgressed the command
of God, proved treacherous to her husband before the close of the mar-
riage feast. Incensed at her perfidy, Samson forsook her for the time,
and went alone to his home at Zorah. When, afterward relenting, he
returned for his bride, he found her the wife of another. His revenge, in
the wasting of all the fields and vineyards of the Philistines, provoked
them to murder her, although their threats had driven her to the deceit
with which the trouble began. Samson had already given evidence of
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his marvelous strength by slaying, singlehanded, a young lion, and
by killing thirty of the men of Askelon. Now, moved to anger by the
barbarous murder of his wife, he attacked the Philistines and smote