Samson grew into a man of fierce spirit and restless strength. One day, he went down to the Philistine town of Timnah, and there his eyes fell upon a woman — young, beautiful, and Philistine.
When he returned home, he said to his father and mother,
"I have seen a woman in Timnah. Get her for me as my wife."
His parents were troubled.
"Is there no woman among our own people?" they asked. "Must you seek a wife from among the uncircumcised Philistines?"
But Samson's answer was firm, his voice like a stone.
"Get her for me. She is the right one for me."
His parents did not know that this was from the Lord — for God was seeking a way to stir conflict with the Philistines, who ruled over Israel at that time.
So Samson went down again to Timnah with his father and mother. As they approached the vineyards along the road, a young lion came roaring out toward him.
Then the Spirit of the Lord came upon Samson with power.
In a burst of divine strength, he seized the lion and tore it apart with his bare hands, as easily as one tears a young goat.
He told no one — not even his parents — about what he had done.
He went on, met the woman, and his heart was set on her.
Some time later, as he returned to marry her, he turned aside to look at the carcass of the lion.
There, within its hollow, was a swarm of bees — and honey glistening like gold.
He scooped it out with his hands and ate as he walked, the sweetness dripping from his fingers.
When he met his parents, he offered them some, but he did not tell them that the honey had come from the body of the lion.
When Samson's father went down to see the woman, Samson prepared a great feast, as was the custom for bridegrooms.
The Philistines appointed thirty men to accompany him — companions, or perhaps spies.
During the feast, Samson said to them,
"Let me tell you a riddle. If you can solve it within the seven days of the feast, I will give you thirty linen garments and thirty sets of clothes.
But if you cannot, you must give them to me."
They laughed. "Tell us your riddle."
Samson's eyes gleamed.
"Out of the eater, something to eat;
Out of the strong, something sweet."
For three days they puzzled and argued, but could not find the answer.
On the fourth day, they went to Samson's bride and threatened her.
"Coax your husband into telling you the answer — or we will burn you and your father's house with fire. Did you invite us here only to rob us?"
Fear and tears filled her days. She threw herself at Samson, sobbing,
"You hate me! You don't love me! You've given my people a riddle but won't tell me the answer!"
Samson sighed. "I haven't even told my father or mother. Why should I tell you?"
But her tears did not stop. For seven days she wept and pleaded until, worn down, he told her.
And she went straight to her people with the secret.
Before the sun set on the seventh day, the men of the town came to Samson and said,
"What is sweeter than honey?
What is stronger than a lion?"
Samson's eyes burned with fury.
"If you had not plowed with my heifer," he said coldly, "you would not have solved my riddle."
Then the Spirit of the Lord came upon him once more.
He went down to Ashkelon, struck down thirty men, took their garments, and gave them to those who had solved the riddle.
Burning with anger and betrayal, Samson left and went back to his father's house.
And the woman he had chosen — his wife — was given to his companion, the one who had stood beside him at his wedding.