Odd! Is He with them with them once and not with them in another. Makes me wonder if they themselves did not pursue this because of the iron chariots instead.
What was the criteria used here? Once you begin allowing for some foreigners don't you have to allow for the rest? Doesn't this contradict what you were told by God to do? What your other brethren are also attempting to perform? Doesn't this begin a snowball process of rationalized disobedience?
It would e interesting to know more about the mechanic of how Israel pleaded to God. Was this unanimous? How long would it take to bring everyone into a unanimous agreement? Was it a majority? If we were to do this nationaly today how large of a coilition would have to be built?
Obviously, some men just make better warior leaders than other. The residents here had to swallow in their pride and previous exilement to gain the expertiese of this judge. It does not specifically say that they consulted God for this. It does appear that God however blessed the action.
The story of Samson is a hard one to figure; not the best of role models for sure. Israel is controlled by the Philistines so they are not in God's favor. Samson is God's anointed judge for that time yet he almost seems to flaunt the fact that nothing bad can happen to him; he pushes and crosses the line often. Not even Israel can be too pleased with his example. Given the chance to better their situation with their captors, they capture and turn Samson in. He is still God's anointed, they are still on God's bad side. Samson is then filled with might from the Holy Spirit and avenges his captors convincingly. He eventually meets his flaunting demise, but, for Israel you don't mess with God's anointed no matter.
An interesting look into the lives of the peoples of this time. When it is said that they "did what was right in their own eyes" that's just what they did. One man made him idols and made him his own personal levite priest to go along side. Another was a priest who was sold out to the highest bidder. Another is a well intending hospitable man who attempts to protect his guests from the townsfolk mob giving his concubine over to the ritual lusts of the men of his town. Then he sends pieces of her body to the leaders of the eleven other tribes inciting a civil war. Everyone involved surely found a way to justify themselves and their despicable actions no doubt.
2012 - pBiblx2 Field Wise Bible System Version 2.0.9d - GPL3
