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CHAP. XIIII.
ANd Samson went downe to Timnath, and saw a woman of Timnath of the daughters of the Philistims, &c. Of Timnath see before Gen. 38. 12. * 1.1 where Judah is said to have gone thither to sheare his sheepe, and Josh. 24. 30. for H. Bunting will have this Timnath and that to bee all one, but forsomuch * 1.2 as that Timnath was in Mount Ephraim, but this, as Lyra saith, in the Phi∣listims Countrey nearer to the Sea, see Josh. 19. 50. he was deceived. To this City of the Philistims Samson goeth downe, for now the Israelites being under their dominion, they might freely goe amongst them and returne. But whereas Samson is said to desire one of their daughters to wife, which is against the law, Deut. 7. it is said to have come of the Lord, that he might * 1.3 take occasion to quarrell with the Philistims, which his parents knew not, and therefore disswaded him from it. But it seemeth, that Samson knew it, and it was revealed unto him, and he made his parents acquainted with it, whereup∣on they yeelded to his desire, for otherwise both hee and they had sinned herein, which is not to be thought of them, because they were godly and de∣vout persons: thus also Lyra, who further inquireth, what neede there was, that Samson should seeke occasion to fight against the Philistims, seeing their unjust holding of any part of Israel inheritance from them was a sufficient occasion, and answereth, that they were now under the Philistims domini∣on, and so by covenant happily and oath obliged unto them, and therefore he could not without breach hereof make warre against them, unlesse some new occasion were offered.
Then went Samson downe to Timnath and his father and mother, and came to the * 1.4 vineyards of Timnath, and behold a young Liou roared upon him, &c. Here is the first particular act expressed, whereby Samson gave proofe of his strength, and it seemeth, that hee was now gone aside from his Parents upon some occa∣sion, for hee rent the lion in pieces, as a kid, having nothing in his hand, but * 1.5 told not them of it, therefore they were not present, when hee did it. And when hee did this, it is said, the Spirit of God came upon him, to shew that hee had not this great strength of himselfe, but by the Spirit, as also ap∣peared afterwards, when the Spirit of God left him, Judg. 16. 20. And it was by a singular providence, that a fierce young lion now encountred him, that hee might with the more courage, this valiant act being done, set upon the Philistims afterwards. In that Samson would not wed without his parents consent, all young men and women, saith Ferus, may learne their duty, viz, [Note.] * 1.6 to obey their parents even in their marriages, and parents should not tyranni∣cally force them to match contrary to their liking, as Samsons parents did not. And in that hee, which should deliver Israel from the Philistims, joyned him∣selfe in affinity with them, hee noteth well, that God goeth about such things, as hee will bring to passe the cleane contrary way: because matching into a∣ny stocke is a meanes commonly of the more amity and love, although it bee by some Princes perverted to an occasion of quarell to enlarge their dominions, wherein they marry as Samson did, but not having the same spirit to move them, but ambition and covetousnesse; although he did well, they sinne great∣ly herein.
After the Lion thus slaine, Samson having his parents with him agreeth to * 1.7 marry that woman, and descending for the celebrating of the muptialls hee findeth bees and honey in the Lions carkass, whereof hee taketh and eateth and giveth some to his Parents. Wherefore did Samson goe to see the Lions [Qu.] carkass? Doubtlesse not out of curiosity, but that by seeing it againe he might bee the more confirmed; and hee was now also brought hither againe by a se∣cret instinct of the Spirit, that hee might see another wonder, a swarme of bees making their neasts there, a thing, which they naturally abhorre from, for bees harbour not in stinking, but cleane places. Onely God, who can doe all things, caused it thus to bee at this time, that a foundation might bee