Judges - Chapter-15

Chapter Summary

Samson takes vengeance on the Philistines.

Samson returned to his wife with a gift, but she had been given to another man. How do you think this made Samson feel?
In verse 3, Samson says, "This time I will be blameless when I harm the Philistines" (CSB). Do you believe that Samson's harm of the Philistines in the previous chapter was justified? Why or why not?
Why do you think Samson used foxes to burn the Philistines' crops, vineyards, and olive groves? Why didn't he just burn them all himself?
How does the action of the Philistines in verse 6 compare to their threat in Judges 14:15?
According to verse 7, how did Samson take the news of his wife's murder? Given what you know about Samson, how would you have expected him to react?
Why do you think Samson stayed in a cave after his rampage against the Philistines?
Samson's fellow Israelites were willing to give him over to the enemy in order to secure peace for themselves. Do you believe they made the right decision? Why or why not?
As he was being given over to the Philistines, verse 14 says that "the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully on him" (CSB). Why do you believe the Spirit waited to come upon him at this particular time?
After killing a thousand men with the jawbone of a donkey, how would you describe his prayer in verse 18? Is it a humble prayer or a complaint?
The final words in chapter 15 simply read, "And he judged Israel twenty years in the days of the Philistines" (verse 20, CSB). How would you evaluate Samson's faithfulness to the Lord as a judge?

Avenged, v. 7.

God, Holy Spirit, Samson, his family and friends.

16, 18.