Books
Too Good To Be True? Endless Hope or Hopeless End Evidence Unseen
Theology
God Christ The Holy Spirit Scripture Salvation Satanology Ecclesiology Eschatology Historical Theology Practical Theology & Ethics Christian Counseling Christian Leadership
Apologetics
What is Truth? The Goodness of God Science and Scripture Predictive Prophecy Apologetics Resources Book Reviews
Bible
Old Testament New Testament Difficulties Commentaries
Courses Audio
Sign In Search

Did God honor Samson’s marriage to this Philistine girl?

Claim:

The Bible teaches that believers should not marry non-believers (Ex. 34:11-16; Deut. 7:1-4). However, this passage states that Samson’s marriage “was of the Lord” (Judg. 14:4). How can this be the case?

Response:

Samson was too wrapped up in himself to care about God’s purposes. Therefore, God used Samson’s lust to accomplish his purpose. In the same way, Pontius Pilate was a cruel dictator, who ordered Jesus to be tortured and killed. But, God used this for his purpose (Acts 2:23; 4:27-28). Kaiser notes, “Scriptural language frequently attributes directly to God what he merely permits.” God wasn’t approving of the marriage. Instead, he was redeeming a bad situation to liberate the Jews from the Philistines.

  1. ^

    Kaiser, Walter C. More Hard Sayings of the Old Testament. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity, 1992. 132.

About The Author
James Rochford

James earned a Master’s degree in Theological Studies from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, graduating magna cum laude. He is the founder of Evidence Unseen and the author of several books. James enjoys serving as a pastor at Dwell Community Church in Columbus, Ohio, where he lives with his wife and their two sons.