The Fruit of Revenge

Judges 15:1-20

INTRODUCTION: Revenge may seem sweet but it solves nothing when used in the context of personal relationships. Rather, it creates a spiraling intensity of vengeance in which the party wronged last must repay for the damage received in order to square accounts. It becomes an unending mess.

God used Samson’s fleshly nature in order to do the work He had for him (see Judges 14:4). But this does not change the fleshly nature of Samson’s actions. Samson has been wronged, so he is going to get vengeance. He thinks this will solve the problem. He says, "yet will I be avenged of you, and after that I will cease" (v.7). But the problem never ends. The Philistines return "to do to him as he hath done to us" (v.10) and Samson justifies himself, "As they did unto me, so have I done unto them" (v.11). There is simply no end to the paybacks.

This explains why God has told believers to let Him take care of the vengeance. Revenge is required for justice but it is not for individuals to bring it about. God is the One "to whom vengeance belongeth" (Psalm 94:1). He tells us, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, saith the Lord" (Romans 12:19). We must allow God to set things right and not take things into our own hands. This story of Samson demonstrates the faults of revenge. We would do well to take heed.

1. THE SPIRAL OF REVENGE (15:1-8)
   1. Samson Discovers His Betrayal (v.1-2)
      1. Samson returns to his wife (v.1)
         1. At the time of wheat harvest – around May and a time of rejoicing
         2. He brings a gift of a kid goat (kind of like a box of candy)
         3. He seeks to make a fleshly union; NOTE: Samson thinks only of himself and his carnal pleasure. He is selfish and carnal.
         4. Her father refuses to let Samson in

      2. Her father justifies his actions (v.2)
         1. It seemed that Samson had rejected her
         2. She was given to his wedding companion (see Judges 14:20)
         3. The father offers her younger sister
            1. She is available
            2. She is prettier
            3. NOTE: the father seems to understand Samson’s carnal nature but overlooks the power of his pride. Samson has been wronged and he will have revenge.

   2. Samson Burns the Fields (v.3-5)
      1. Samson declares himself blameless in his revenge (v.3)
      2. Samson catches 300 foxes (v.4); 300 seems to be the number to get things done in the book of Judges (Judges 7:6-7).
      3. He ties them in twos tail to tail, puts a firebrand between them and releases them (v.4). They will try to run from the fire but will be pulling against each other. Their uncertain and halting path will cause them to start many fires in the fields.
      4. He thus burns the wheat, vineyards and the olives of the Philistines (v.5)

   3. The Philistines Kill His Wife (v.6)
      1. They discover the cause of Samson’s anger
      2. They kill Samson’s wife and her father

   4. Samson Kills a Great Number (v.7-8)
      1. Samson says he will quit after further vengeance (v.7)
      2. He smites the Philistines with a great slaughter (v.8)
      3. He dwells in the top of the rock Etam (v.8)

2. THE REJECTION OF SAMSON (15:9-13)
   1. The Philistines Bring an Army Against Samson (v.9)
   2. Judah Comes Up Against Samson (v.10-11)
      1. Judah is not ready for deliverance but desires to please the Philistines (v.10). They were content with their servitude.
      2. Three thousand men of Judah come against Samson (v.11); why did they not fight against the Philistines?
      3. The men of Judah accuse Samson of doing wrong against them (v.11)
      4. Samson justifies himself in his own selfish way (v.11)

   3. Samson Surrenders to Judah (v.12-13)
      1. Judah promises not to kill Samson themselves (v.12)
      2. Samson allows them to bind him with two new cords (v.13)

3. THE VICTORY OF SAMSON (15:14-17)
   1. The Spirit of the Lord Came Upon Samson (v.14)
      1. The Philistines shout against Samson
      2. The Spirit of the Lord comes on Samson
      3. Samson breaks the cords from off his arms

   2. Samson Slays a Thousand Philistines (v.15)
      1. Samson takes a "new" jawbone of an ass
      2. Samson slays a thousand men

   3. Samson Celebrates His Victory (v.16-17)
      1. Samson writes a song to celebrate his victory (v.16); notice the song says nothing about God
      2. Samson casts away the jawbone (v.17)
      3. Samson calls the place Ramathlehi [the casting away of the jawbone] (v.17)

4. THE THIRST OF SAMSON (15:18-20)
   1. Samson Cries to the Lord in his Thirst (v.18)
      1. Only when he suffers, is he ready to give God the glory
      2. Only when he wants something, is he concerned about the "uncircumcised" Philistines

   2. The Lord Provides Water From the Jaw (v.19)
      1. That which he was ready to throw away became the source of his deliverance
      2. His spirit revives and he returns to his selfishness. We see this in his name for the place. Enhakkore means the well that I have named. Once again, as in his song to himself, there is no reference to God.
   3. Samson Judges Israel for Twenty Years (v.20)

CONCLUSION: This chapter shows us the actions of a carnal man in the life of Samson. It also shows us the fruitlessness of taking personal revenge. Finally, the actions of Judah show us that some men are satisfied in their servitude and do not desire deliverance and will not fight for it. How could you apply these lessons to your own life?

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