Samson's Riddle
1 Samson went down to Timnah and saw a young Philistine woman there.
2
He went back and told his father and his mother: "I have seen a young Philistine woman in Timnah. Now get her for me as a wife."
3
But his father and mother said to him, "Can't you find a young woman among your relatives or among any of our people? Must you go to the uncircumcised Philistines for a wife?" But Samson told his father, "Get her for me, because I want her."
4
Now his father and mother did not know this was from the Lord, who was seeking an occasion against the Philistines. At that time, the Philistines were ruling over Israel.
5
Samson went down to Timnah with his father and mother and came to the vineyards of Timnah. Suddenly a young lion came roaring at him,
6
the Spirit of the Lord took control of him, and he tore the lion apart with his bare hands as he might have torn a young goat. But he did not tell his father or mother what he had done.
7
Then he went and spoke to the woman, because Samson wanted her.
8
After some time, when he returned to get her, he left [the road] to see the lion's carcass, and there was a swarm of bees with honey in the carcass.
9
He scooped [some honey] into his hands and ate [it] as he went along. When he returned to his father and mother, he gave [some] to them and they ate [it]. But he did not tell them that he had scooped the honey from the lion's carcass.
10
His father went [to visit] the woman, and Samson prepared a feast there, as young men were accustomed to do.
11
When the Philistines saw him, they brought 30 men to accompany him.