John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 3. Then his father and his mother said unto him , etc.] What he might expect, and doubtless did expect: is there never a woman among the daughters of thy brethren, or among all my people, that thou goest to take a wife of the uncircumcised Philistines ? none in their own family, nor in the tribe of Dan, nor among the whole nation of Israel, but must go among the uncircumcised Philistines; for though they were not of the seven nations of the Canaanites, with whom marriage was forbidden, yet they not only dwelt where they did, and where the Israelites should, but were idolaters and impure persons, and therefore affinity should not be contracted with them, as being of a dangerous consequence, which might entice to idolatry. Ben Gersom observes, that their Rabbins say he made her a proselyte first, though he did not acquaint his parents with it, and so Abarbinel; but this seems not likely, for, had this been the case, he would have had an easy and ready reply to this objection of theirs: and Samson said unto his father, get her for me, for she pleaseth me well ; or “is right in mine eyes” f278 ; not only his eyes were taken with her beauty or external form, but it was right in his sight, in his judgment, to marry her; he having an impulse upon his mind from the Spirit of God unto it, though he did not let his parents know of it, but left them to conclude it sprung from a strong affection to her person. Abarbinel observes, that he only addressed his father, and not his mother, she being most vehemently against the match, and expressing more uneasiness at it than his father did; but it is most likely that he addressed his father particularly, because he was the proper person to negotiate this affair for him.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-4 - As far as Samson's marriage was a common case, it was weak and foolis of him to set his affections upon a daughter of the Philistines. Shal one, not only an Israelite, but a Nazarite, devoted to the Lord, cove to become one with a worshipper of Dagon? It does not appear that he had any reason to think her wise or virtuous, or any way likely to be help meet for him; but he saw something in her agreeable to his fancy He that, in the choice of a wife, is only guided by his eye, an governed by his fancy, must afterwards thank himself if he find Philistine in his arms. Yet it was well done not to proceed till Samso had made his parents acquainted with the matter. Children ought not to marry, nor to move towards it, without the advice and consent of their parents. Samson's parents did well to dissuade him from yoking himsel unequally with unbelievers. It seems that it pleased God to leav Samson to follow his own inclinations, intending to bring out good from his conduct; and his parents consented, because he was bent upon it However, his example is not recorded for us to do likewise.
Original Hebrew ויאמר559 לו אביו1 ואמו517 האין369 בבנות1323 אחיך251 ובכל3605 עמי5971 אשׁה802 כי3588 אתה859 הולך1980 לקחת3947 אשׁה802 מפלשׁתים6430 הערלים6189 ויאמר559 שׁמשׁון8123 אל413 אביו1 אותה853 קח3947 לי כי3588 היא1931 ישׁרה3474 בעיני׃5869
