And the Spirit of the LORD came upon him, and he went down to Ashkelon, and slew thirty men of them, and took their spoil, and gave change of garments unto them which expounded the riddle. And his anger was kindled, and he went up to his father's house.

JUDGES 14:19KJV
Know the Bible

Judges 14:19 (KJV)

What does Judges 14:19 mean?

Judges 14:19 describes how the Spirit of the LORD came powerfully upon Samson, leading him to go to Ashkelon, where he killed thirty men, took their belongings, and gave their clothes to those who had solved his riddle. Afterwards, Samson, angry at what had happened, returned to his father’s house.

In this verse, Samson is reacting to being tricked by the Philistines, who had pressured his wife into revealing the answer to his riddle. The verse shows Samson acting with sudden strength and anger, taking vengeance by attacking men in Ashkelon (a Philistine city) and using their garments to pay his debt. The passage highlights a turning point in Samson’s relationship with the Philistines and sets the stage for further conflict.

The Hebrew behind Judges 14:19

  • "Spirit" (רוּחַ, ruach): This word means "spirit" or "wind" and here refers to a special empowerment from God, not just a feeling or mood. It signals that Samson’s actions are not just personal revenge but are connected to a larger purpose.
  • "Came" (צָלַח, tsalach): This verb often means to "rush upon" or "come mightily upon," emphasizing the sudden and overwhelming nature of the Spirit’s influence on Samson.
  • "Spoil" (חֲלִיצָה, chalitzah): This word refers to clothing or armor taken from the defeated, showing that Samson literally stripped the slain men to fulfill his promise.
  • "Riddle" (חִידָה, chidah): This word means a puzzle or enigmatic saying, reminding the reader that the conflict began with a contest of wit, not just physical strength.

Why Judges 14:19 matters

  • The verse clarifies that Samson’s strength and actions are not just from personal ability but are directly empowered by the Spirit of the LORD, highlighting a key theme in his story.
  • It shows the escalation of conflict between Samson and the Philistines, moving from a wedding riddle to deadly violence, which will shape the rest of Samson’s life.
  • The detail about Samson’s anger and return to his father’s house hints at his isolation and the breakdown of his marriage, which are important for understanding his later choices and struggles.

Where else these words appear

“spoil” Hebrew H2488 · used in 2 verses

  • 2 Samuel 2:21 And Abner said to him, Turn thee aside to thy right hand or to thy left, and lay thee hold on one of the young men, and take thee his armour. But Asahel would not turn aside from following of him.

“Ashkelon” Hebrew H831 · used in 11 verses

  • Judges 1:18 Also Judah took Gaza with the coast thereof, and Askelon with the coast thereof, and Ekron with the coast thereof.
  • Jeremiah 25:20 And all the mingled people, and all the kings of the land of Uz, and all the kings of the land of the Philistines, and Ashkelon, and Azzah, and Ekron, and the remnant of Ashdod,
  • Amos 1:8 And I will cut off the inhabitant from Ashdod, and him that holdeth the sceptre from Ashkelon, and I will turn mine hand against Ekron: and the remnant of the Philistines shall perish, saith the Lord GOD.

“change” Hebrew H2487 · used in 11 verses

  • Genesis 45:22 To all of them he gave each man changes of raiment; but to Benjamin he gave three hundred pieces of silver, and five changes of raiment.
  • 1 Kings 5:14 And he sent them to Lebanon, ten thousand a month by courses: a month they were in Lebanon, and two months at home: and Adoniram was over the levy.
  • 2 Kings 5:23 And Naaman said, Be content, take two talents. And he urged him, and bound two talents of silver in two bags, with two changes of garments, and laid them upon two of his servants; and they bare them before him.

“riddle” Hebrew H2420 · used in 17 verses

  • Numbers 12:8 With him will I speak mouth to mouth, even apparently, and not in dark speeches; and the similitude of the LORD shall he behold: wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?
  • Judges 14:16 And Samson's wife wept before him, and said, Thou dost but hate me, and lovest me not: thou hast put forth a riddle unto the children of my people, and hast not told it me. And he said unto her, Behold, I have not told it my father nor my mother, and shall I tell it thee?
  • Psalms 49:4 I will incline mine ear to a parable: I will open my dark saying upon the harp.