Matthew Henry Commentary Judges 16:1-3

"And Samson went to Gaza, and saw there a harlot, and went in unto her. [And it was told] the Gazites, saying, Samson is come hither. And they compassed him in, and laid wait for him all night in the gate of the city, and were quiet all the night, saying, [Let be] till morning light, then we will kill him. And Samson lay till midnight, and arose at midnight, and laid hold of the doors of the gate of the city, and the two posts, and plucked them up, bar and all, and put them upon his shoulders, and carried them up to the top of the mountain that is before Hebron." — Judges 16:1-3 (ASV)

Until now, Samson's character has appeared glorious, though uncommon. In this chapter, we find him behaving in such a wicked manner that many question whether or not he was a godly man. But the apostle has determined this (Hebrews 11:32). By paying attention to the doctrines and examples of Scripture, the artifices of Satan, the deceitfulness of the human heart, and the ways in which the Lord frequently deals with his people, we may learn useful lessons from this history, at which some needlessly stumble, while others quibble and object.

The particular time in which Samson lived may account for many things that, if done in our time and without the special appointment of Heaven, would be highly criminal. And there might have been in him many exercises of piety that, 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 see themselves thus surrounded, waylaid, 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, prompted by the fear of the danger he was in.

Can I be safe under this guilt? It was bad that he lay down without such checks; but it would have been worse if he had lain still under them.