Judges 16:24

*“When the people saw him, they praised their god, for they said, ‘Our god has given our enemy into our hands, Even the destroyer of our country, Who has slain many of us.’” (Judges 16:24)* The setting in this verse describes the Philistines rejoicing over their capture of Samson. Historically, this incident is believed to have taken place in Gaza, a coastal city located in the southwestern region of Canaan. The Philistines dominated parts of this area between approximately the 12th and 11th centuries BC, often clashing with Israelite tribes during the period of the Judges. At this moment, they believed their deity, often understood to be Dagon, had granted them triumph over Samson, the mighty champion of Israel.

Samson himself was one of the last judges of Israel, leading God’s people sometime around the late 12th century BC to early 11th century BC, before the establishment of Israel’s monarchy. He was known for his remarkable God-given strength, which he used to combat the Philistines, “the destroyer of our country” as they call him in this verse (Judges 16:24). The Philistines saw Samson’s capture as more than a military victory; they perceived it as a spiritual one, praising their god for vanquishing what they viewed as an existential threat. This response carries echoes through Scripture of how opponents sometimes rejoice prematurely over perceived triumphs, not recognizing the sovereign hand of the LORD (see Psalm 2:1-4 NASB-95).

Here, *“When the people saw him, they praised their god” (Judges 16:24)* also highlights how easily people can confuse true power with apparent victory. The Philistines failed to understand that the God of Israel would still use Samson, even in his weakest moment, to fulfill a larger divine purpose. This passage can also foreshadow how Jesus’ adversaries celebrated when He was arrested and crucified, yet their victory was short-lived (Matthew 27:41-42 NASB-95), showing how God can overturn human expectations to demonstrate His ultimate authority and plan.

The Philistines’ rejoicing underscores how people can misinterpret events to validate false assurances.