John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 2. And there was a certain man of Zorah, of the family of the Danites , etc.] Of the tribe of Dan, in which tribe Zorah was, and seems to have lain both on the borders of Judah and Dan, ( Joshua 15:33 19:41); (see Gill on “ Joshua 15:33”), (see Gill on “ Joshua 19:41”), and this man was not a mean man, but of rank and figure, a principal man in the country, according to Josephus f263 ; though the Talmudists say he was a plebeian: whose name was Manoah ; which signifies “rest”, and has much the same signification as Noah; and by this name he was well known in those times, and among his people: and his wife was barren, and bare not ; had no child, as the Targum; and it is observed by many, that several eminent persons were born of women that had been barren, as Isaac, Jacob, Samuel, and John the Baptist; and it is remarkable, that the strongest man that ever was born of such a woman, as the following account relates. The name of this woman, the mother of Samson, is said to be Zalalponith; see ( 1 Chronicles 4:3).
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-7 - Israel did evil: then God delivered them again into the hands of the Philistines. When Israel was in this distress, Samson was born. Hi parents had been long childless. Many eminent persons were born of suc mothers. Mercies long waited for, often prove signal mercies; and by them others may be encouraged to continue their hope in God's mercy The angel notices her affliction. God often sends comfort to his people very seasonably, when they feel their troubles most. This deliverer of Israel must be devoted to God. Manoah's wife was satisfied that the messenger was of God. She gave her husband a particular account, bot of the promise and of the precept. Husbands and wives
should tell eac other their experiences of 
