1. The Dark Days of Israel’s Judges A Study of the Book of Judges The Dark Days of Israel’s Judges A Study of the Book of Judges Lesson 14 Judges 14 – 15 The Lion, the Wench, and the Wardrobe November 15, 2009

2. I.Introduction A.Title: I had many possibilities B.But this is the one I settled for: C.Brief review of chapter 13 D.Our approach in this lesson: 1.Re-tell the story of chapters 14 & 15 2.Focus on the most crucial aspects or observations 3.Draw some areas of application 4.Sharpen the point of the passage II.Re-tell the story: Trouble in Timnah A.Samson seeks (demands) a wife – 14:1-4 B.Family trip to Timnah – 14:5-7

3. C.Why Samson called her “honey” – 14:8-9 D.Wedding woes – 14:10-20 1. Father and the bride – 14:10a 2. Samson’s drinking feast (“party”) – 14:10b 3. (30) wedding companions provided – 14:11 4. Samson’s riddle – 14:12-18 5. The first Jewish clothier – 14:19 6. Wife swap – 14:20 E.No “honey” in “honeymoon” – 15:1-5 F.Samson’s out-foxes the Philistines (sour grapes, puffed wheat, and pitiful olives) – 15:6-8

4. G.Samson is handed over – 15:9-13 H.Samson’s slaughter & a pun – 15:14-17 1. With the jawbone of an ass 2. I have piled them in a mass (Moffatt) I.Water from the rock – 15:18-19 J.Samson judges 20 years – 15:20 III.Key points to ponder A.Timnah is not new to us (Genesis 38:12-14) B.The path Samson took was clearly marked (the Pentateuch, his parents, Proverbs 1). C.There was “a lion in the road”: power & peril (Proverbs 22:13; 26:13; 1 Kings 13:23-32)

5. D.Silence is not always golden 1. “Tell” = 14 times 2. Samson didn’t tell his parents (14:6, 9, 16). 3. Samson told his secrets to his detriment E.Going it alone is painful & unwise 1. Samson always fights alone 2. Not close to parents 3. No close friends – his “friends” are Philistines on loan (14:11) 4. Not close to women (really) 5. Not close to Israel F.Samson’s sin is sovereignly purposed, but a secret to his parents (14:4)

6. G.The sad truth about Samson’s sexual addiction: it never satisfies 1. She cried much of the time 2. She betrayed his confidence 3. The marriage isn’t consummated 4. The best man gets her 5. She and her father are burned to death 6. He’ll do it again, with the same results H.The saddest thing of all: Samson is “a man without a country.” To Israel he is the enemy!

7. IV.Sharpening the point of the passage A.Samson’s needs B.Israel’s needs in Samson’s day C.Israel’s needs in Jesus’ day D.A Savior who has no needs (other than His relationship in the Godhead) E.The fall: Satan convinces man that he has a need God hasn’t met F.Sin: seeking to meet needs without God G.History: man’s need, God’s sufficiency H.Salvation: recognizing our need, receiving God’s sufficient provision in Jesus I.Sanctification: I have no need but God

8. Copyright © 2009 by Robert L. Deffinbaugh. This is the edited PowerPoint presentation of Lesson 14 in the series, The Dark Days of Israel’s Judges, prepared by Robert L. Deffinbaugh for November 15, 2009. Anyone is at liberty to use this lesson for educational purposes only, with or without credit.