Judges 14 Footnotes

14:12-13 Just because God used Samson’s desires and actions to accomplish his ends did not mean he approved of all Samson’s actions, including his “gambling” over the Philistine garments. The casting of lots to determine the will of God in a given matter (Jos 18:6-10; Pr 16:33) is not gambling in the usual sense; no exchange of money or items of value is involved. The lot was cast “in the presence of the LORD” (Jos 18:6) to determine the right course of action in situations not covered by scriptural guidelines or where human wisdom lacked sufficient insight. There is no record of the casting of lots for such a purpose after Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit came to indwell the people of God. Biblical references to the casting of lots for one’s personal gain (Jb 6:27; Ps 22:18; Jl 3:3; Nah 3:10; Mt 27:35) present the practice in a less than positive light.