Charles Ellicott Commentary Judges 16:9

"Now she had liers-in-wait abiding in the inner chamber. And she said unto him, The Philistines are upon thee, Samson. And he brake the withes, as a string of tow is broken when it toucheth the fire. So his strength was not known." — Judges 16:9 (ASV)

Men lying in wait. —Literally, and the spy sat in the room for her, i.e., to help her. It is doubtful whether there was more than one spy, who could be easily concealed. It is implied that she bound Samson while he slept, as in Judges 16:19.

When it touches the fire. —Literally, when it smells the fire. (See Note on Judges 15:14.) So in Job 14:9: through the scent of water it will bud. Of course, the writer leaves us to infer that the spy or spies did not appear, seeing that the plan had failed.