Samson, divinely empowered, overcame the Philistines to demonstrate God’s unmatched ability to set His people free.
“When he came to Lehi, the Philistines shouted as they met him. And the Spirit of the LORD came upon him mightily so that the ropes that were on his arms were as flax that is burned with fire, and his bonds dropped from his hands” (Judges 15:14). In this verse, Samson arrives at a place called Lehi, a geographical location in the territory of Judah. Scholars believe Lehi might have been near the modern-day Wadi es-Sant, although the exact spot is debated. The name “Lehi” means “jawbone,” which becomes significant in the surrounding context of Samson’s battles against the Philistines. This climactic moment begins with the Philistines shouting triumphantly, thinking they have finally subdued their mighty foe. Yet, right at the apex of this confrontation, the verse states that “the Spirit of the LORD came upon him mightily” (Judges 15:14), indicating that Samson’s subsequent feats were driven by divine enablement rather than mere human strength.
By the time of Judges, Israel was in a cycle of repeated rebellion, oppression, repentance, and deliverance. Samson, an important figure in Israel’s history, lived around the late 12th or early 11th century BC and was set apart from birth to deliver Israel from the Philistines. Through “the ropes that were on his arms were as flax that is burned with fire” (Judges 15:14), we see how God supernaturally released Samson, ensuring the cords snapped easily. Historically, such a miraculous display of power echoes earlier judges, like Othniel and Gideon, who similarly experienced the Spirit of the LORD rushing upon them to secure victories (Judges 3:10, 6:34). In the New Testament, believers also witness the Holy Spirit’s empowering presence in events like Pentecost, where the early church was emboldened for ministry (Acts 2:1-4). Samson’s deliverance serves as a reminder that God can break any bonds and that supernatural intervention does not depend on circumstances.
When “his bonds dropped from his hands” (Judges 15:14), the text gives a compelling image of complete liberation. This moment foreshadows the greater freedom Christians experience through faith in Jesus (John 8:36), indicating that physical deliverance can be a metaphor for spiritual salvation. Samson’s story, while set in the turbulent period of the Judges, still underscores the timeless truth of God’s faithfulness to His people. Despite Israel’s repeated failures, the LORD continually raises up leaders to break chains—both literal and figurative—pointing forward to the ultimate Deliverer in the person of Christ.
Set to dark mode
Judges 15:14 meaning
“When he came to Lehi, the Philistines shouted as they met him. And the Spirit of the LORD came upon him mightily so that the ropes that were on his arms were as flax that is burned with fire, and his bonds dropped from his hands” (Judges 15:14). In this verse, Samson arrives at a place called Lehi, a geographical location in the territory of Judah. Scholars believe Lehi might have been near the modern-day Wadi es-Sant, although the exact spot is debated. The name “Lehi” means “jawbone,” which becomes significant in the surrounding context of Samson’s battles against the Philistines. This climactic moment begins with the Philistines shouting triumphantly, thinking they have finally subdued their mighty foe. Yet, right at the apex of this confrontation, the verse states that “the Spirit of the LORD came upon him mightily” (Judges 15:14), indicating that Samson’s subsequent feats were driven by divine enablement rather than mere human strength.
By the time of Judges, Israel was in a cycle of repeated rebellion, oppression, repentance, and deliverance. Samson, an important figure in Israel’s history, lived around the late 12th or early 11th century BC and was set apart from birth to deliver Israel from the Philistines. Through “the ropes that were on his arms were as flax that is burned with fire” (Judges 15:14), we see how God supernaturally released Samson, ensuring the cords snapped easily. Historically, such a miraculous display of power echoes earlier judges, like Othniel and Gideon, who similarly experienced the Spirit of the LORD rushing upon them to secure victories (Judges 3:10, 6:34). In the New Testament, believers also witness the Holy Spirit’s empowering presence in events like Pentecost, where the early church was emboldened for ministry (Acts 2:1-4). Samson’s deliverance serves as a reminder that God can break any bonds and that supernatural intervention does not depend on circumstances.
When “his bonds dropped from his hands” (Judges 15:14), the text gives a compelling image of complete liberation. This moment foreshadows the greater freedom Christians experience through faith in Jesus (John 8:36), indicating that physical deliverance can be a metaphor for spiritual salvation. Samson’s story, while set in the turbulent period of the Judges, still underscores the timeless truth of God’s faithfulness to His people. Despite Israel’s repeated failures, the LORD continually raises up leaders to break chains—both literal and figurative—pointing forward to the ultimate Deliverer in the person of Christ.