Spoiled Samson

Judges 14:1–3 (HCSB)

Samson went down to Timnah and saw a young Philistine woman there. He went back and told his father and his mother: "I have seen a young Philistine woman in Timnah. Now get her for me as a wife." But his father and mother said to him, "Can’t you find a young woman among your relatives or among any of our people? Must you go to the uncircumcised Philistines for a wife?" But Samson told his father, "Get her for me, because I want her."

Samson was a strong man, but he was a spoiled brat. His father should have said, “Son, you don’t need her; but I’ll give you something you do need”—and then took a belt to him! Samson was probably like this because his parents spoiled him. He was an only child, the son of a barren woman. They probably gave him everything he ever wanted. So he got this also.

There are two lessons here:

First, be careful what you ask for… you just might get it! Samson got the girl he wanted, but she was a pain in the backside. “She cried the whole seven days” of their honeymoon (vs. 17). Whoopee! The Bible says he finally explained the meaning of a riddle to her because “she had nagged him so much” (vs. 17). When Samson left his in-laws he left his new bride behind.

Second, what goes around comes around. Truth is, Samson got what he deserved. The Bible says it like this:

Psalm 7:16 (NKJV)

“His trouble shall return upon his own head, and his violent dealing shall come down on his own crown.”

Samson was a spoiled child who grew into a foolish man. Be careful how you raise your kids. Learn the lessons of Samson.