Samson

“Because of the tenor of the book of Judges, i.e., the constant decline of the spirituality of the people, and because of Samson’s obvious lack of spirituality in the things he does throughout his adult life, I believe the sense in Judges 14:3 is “Samson did what he thought was right.” Samson is saying that marrying this girl was the right thing to do because he was the judge who was prophesied to deliver Israel, and marrying her would give him an occasion to fight and kill Philistines. God never does a right thing in a wrong way. God was seeking an occasion whereby he, God, could begin to deliver Israel from the Philistines, and avenge his people for the wrongs committed against them. But Samson tried to help God by making an occasion. Thus, in my view, the sense of Judges 14:2–4 should read., 

“'2 Samson said to his father, “Get her for me, for she is right in my eyes.” 4 But his father and mother did not know that it was of the Lord—*for Samson* was seeking an occasion to move against the Philistines. For at that time the Philistines had dominion over Israel.' 

“God does not seek to hinder Samson. God is truly seeking an occasion against the Philistines, and although Samson is acting 'in the flesh' God will condescend to use the actions of his anointed servant. God has promised to be with Samson as long as Samson does not break his Nazirite vow. Thus God will be with his servant and begin to deliver Israel, even when his servant is going in a direction counter to the Divine influence. 

“God is with Samson for the sake of his word (Judges 13:5, 7) and the sake of his people Israel. No blessing, however, is accruing to Samson. This is easy to determine. Throughout the course of his life, does Samson grow in spirituality or decline? Do his actions reveal a godly man or a carnal believer? Does God bring personal blessing into Samson’s life? His wife is burned to death (15:6); his countrymen come out in arms against him (15:9–13) and deliver him to the Philistines; he commits fornication multiple times; his eyes are gouged out; he takes his own life in order to kill his enemies. This does not seem to be a man whom God blessed. 

“Just because God’s work is being done does not mean there is a blessing to the worker. To work the works of God and receive the blessing from God one must do God’s work God’s way in God’s time. That’s just the opposite of the way Samson did God’s work.
(Quiggle, unpublished manuscript, “A Private Commentary on the Bible: Judges.”)