John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 2. And it was told the Gazites , etc.] The inhabitants of Gaza, the principal ones of it, the magistrates of the city, either by some persons that saw him come in, who knew him, or by the harlot into whose company he fell, to whom he made himself known: saying, Samson is come hither ; the man so famous for his strength, and such an enemy to the Philistines; his name was well known for his great exploits, and rung throughout Palestine, and was a terror to the whole country: and they compassed [him] in ; not that they surrounded the house where he was, which perhaps they might not certainly know, but they secured all the avenues and gates of the city, made them fast, and placed guards there, that he might not escape their hands: and laid wait for him all night in the gate ; particularly at that gate, where, if he went out for his country, he must pass: and were quiet all the night ; did not attempt to disturb Samson, or seize on him, if they knew where he was; knowing his great strength, and what a tumult might be raised in the city, they said nothing of it to anybody that passed, what they were placed there for, lest it should come to his ears; they made as if they were deaf and dumb, as some interpret it, and heard and knew nothing: saying, in the morning, when it is day, we shall kill him ; when they should better know him, and make sure their blow at him, and do it suddenly, unawares to him, as he came to the gate, to pass through it.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-3 - Hitherto Samson's character has appeared glorious, though uncommon. I this chapter we find him behaving in so wicked a manner, that man question whether or not he were a godly man. But the apostle ha determined this, Heb 11:32. By adverting to the doctrines and example of Scripture, the artifices of Satan, the deceitfulness of the huma heart, and the methods in which the Lord frequently deals with his people, we may learn useful lessons from this history, at which some needlessly stumble, while others cavil and object. The peculiar time in which Samson lived may account for many things, which, if done in ou time, and without the special appointment of Heaven, would be highl criminal. And there might have been in him many exercises of piety which, if recorded, would have reflected a different light upon his character. Observe Samson's danger. Oh that all who indulge their sensual appetites in drunkenness, or any fleshly lusts, would se themselves thus surrounded, way-laid, and marked for ruin by their spiritual enemies! The faster they sleep, the more secure they feel the greater their danger. We hope it was with a pious resolution not to return to his sin, that he rose under a fear of the danger he was in Can I be safe under this guilt? It was bad that he lay down withou such checks; but it would have been worse, if he had laid still unde them.
Original Hebrew לעזתים5841 לאמר559 בא935 שׁמשׁון8123 הנה2008 ויסבו5437 ויארבו693 לו כל3605 הלילה3915 בשׁער8179 העיר5892 ויתחרשׁו2790 כל3605 הלילה3915 לאמר559 עד5704 אור216 הבקר1242 והרגנהו׃2026
