Wesley Corpus

Chapter XIII Samson was an eminent believer, Heb 11:13,32, and a glorious type of him who with his own arm wrought salvation. The occasion of raising him up, ver. 1. His birth foretold by an angel, ver. 2 - 5. His mother relates this to his father, ver. 6, 7. The angel repeats it to them both, ver. 8 - 14. Manoah offers to entertain him and asks his name, ver. 15 - 18. He discovers himself at parting, ver. 19 - 23. Samson is born, ver. 24, 25. Did evil - That is, fell into idolatry, not after the death of Abdon the last judge, but in the days of the former judges. Forty years - To be computed, not from Abdon's death, but before that time. And it is probable that great slaughter of the Ephraimites made by Jephthah, greatly encouraged the Philistines to rise against Israel, when one of their chief bulwarks was so much weakened; and therefore began to domineer over them not long after Jephthah's death. These were a very inconsiderable people. They had but five cities of any note. And yet when God used them as the staff in his hand, they were very oppressive and vexatious. Of the family - That is, of the tribe or people. Bare not - An emphatical repetition of the same thing in other words, which is an usual elegancy both in scripture and other authors. The angel - The Son of God, yet distinguished from the Lord, because he appeared here in the form of a servant, as a messenger sent from God. The great Redeemer did in a particular manner concern himself about this typical redeemer. Beware - Because the child was to be a Nazarite from the womb, ver.5, and from the conception; and because the mother's pollution extends to the child, she is enjoined from this time to observe the following rules belonging to the Nazarites. Strong drink - Under which are comprehended the other particulars mentioned, Numb 6:2 - 4. Nor eat - Any of those meats forbidden, Levit 11:1 - 47, which were forbidden to all, but especially to the Nazarites. A Nazarite - A person consecrated to God's service. Begin to deliver - And the deliverance shall be carried on and perfected by others, as it was by Eli, Samuel, and Saul; but especially by David.