April 10

Judges 14:10-20

Samson throws a party

Samson was having a party, which was the custom after getting married. He and his father went to the woman’s house where thirty young Philistine men joined them. Samson said to the men, “Let me ask you a riddle. I bet each of you a piece of fine linen and special clothes that you won’t be able to solve the riddle by the time the wedding feast is over.” They all agreed, so Samson said, “Here is the riddle: Out of the eater came something to eat; out of the strong came something sweet.”

Day after day the young men tried to work out the riddle. On the fourth day, they went to Samson’s wife and asked her to trick Samson into telling her the riddle. At first, Samson would not tell her, but after she had nagged and cried for days, he finally told her. She secretly went to tell the Philistines the meaning of the riddle, and Samson lost the bet.

Is it wrong to take a bet?

Why do people take bets? Is it because they are convinced they are right; because they enjoy proving someone wrong; or because they want something for nothing? These reasons (and probably some others) are pretty selfish and are likely to cause quarrels and disappointment.

Solving a riddle can be a lot of fun, and it is good when it is just a friendly brainteaser. In Samson’s case, this was more than a friendly brainteaser—it was a show of power and pride. (Samson didn’t even have the linen and clothes he promised as a reward.) With any bet, someone is always the loser! Don’t take a bet to prove yourself better than someone else or to get something from the other person.

Verse for today

Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. 2 Timothy 2:23