Was Samson married to Delilah?

[MrsYounan]

In the St. Joseph Concise Bible History my daughter is using in her 5th grade Religion class, it is stated on page 34, 2nd paragraph; Samson’s second wife was named Delilah. As I checked in our home bibles, there is absolutely nowhere in the Bible that says Samson and Delilah were married. He was married to the woman from Timnah before she was murdered, but I have always understood Samson and Delilah to be just lovers, not yet married or ever married for that matter. In this day I think it is important to verify the Truth the Scriptures say. Can anyone out there prove this couple was either married or just lovers and isn’t their a distinct difference between the two kinds of relationships. I do not like to teach my daughter something that is either watered down or changed for any reason. If they were married the Bible clearly does not say this and it has been handed down to us as they were lovers, a situation Samson seemed to find trouble with. A good lesson for our young people today, is the consequences of such relationships. Please help me find the TRUTH! If this statement is not true should I go to St. Joseph publishers about it because I clearly think they are wrong.Using the word wife instead of lover or vice vesa I think is confusing and it sends a mixed signal.

 

[lak611]

From the Haydock Commentary:

Dalila. Some are of opinion she was married to Samson; others that she was his harlot. If the latter opinion be true, we cannot wonder that, in punishment of his lust, the Lord delivered him up by her means into the hands of his enemies. However, if he was guilty, it is not to be doubted, but that under his afflictions, he heartily repented and returned to God, and so obtained forgiveness of his sins. (Challoner)

 

[MrsYounan]

Thanks for your reply. I still find it unsettling though. A harlot is not exactly what the Bible described Delilah and a harlot is not exactly a lover. She was set up by the men who wanted Samson and for, like Judas, silver pieces. They may have truly loved one another but for the sake of the world’s wealth she had him set up. It was already the Divine plan that Samson would destroy the Philistines. does not say is what worries me. Noone can interpret scripture for himself. If there is anyone out there who can tell me the truth as to whether Samson and Delilah were married or not I would greatly appreciate it. The Bible seems clear that they were not but there are those out there who have studied under Divine watch, the scriptures and should be able to tell me the one truth. Not opinions but fact. If not then I must go with what the scriptures say and leave the rest to God. As far as teaching this statement that Samson was married to Delilah to my daughter, I cannot do so because I just have something in my crawe that is saying this is not right. I am still open for others replies, thank you for your time.

 

[lak611]

Thanks for your reply. I still find it unsettling though. A harlot is not exactly what the Bible described Delilah and a harlot is not exactly a lover. She was set up by the men who wanted Samson and for, like Judas, silver pieces. They may have truly loved one another but for the sake of the world’s wealth she had him set up.

Nothing in the Bible says that Delilah loved Samson. The Bible simply says:

Jdg 16:4 After this he loved a woman, who dwelt in the valley of Sorec, and she was called Dalila.
Jdg 16:5 And the princes of the Philistines came to her, and sald: Deceive him, and learn of him wherein his great strength lieth, and how we may be able to overcome him, to bind and afflict him: which if thou shalt do, we will give thee every one of us eleven hundred pieces of silver.

If she was paid to set him up, she may have been a harlot, only he was not the customer who was paying; the princes were paying her. We cannot know for sure, because the Bible does not say. The Haydock Commentary is an orthodox Catholic commentary, though.

 

[grandfather]

Thanks for your reply. I still find it unsettling though. A harlot is not exactly what the Bible described Delilah and a harlot is not exactly a lover. She was set up by the men who wanted Samson and for, like Judas, silver pieces. They may have truly loved one another but for the sake of the world’s wealth she had him set up. It was already the Divine plan that Samson would destroy the Philistines. does not say is what worries me. Noone can interpret scripture for himself. If there is anyone out there who can tell me the truth as to whether Samson and Delilah were married or not I would greatly appreciate it. The Bible seems clear that they were not but there are those out there who have studied under Divine watch, the scriptures and should be able to tell me the one truth. Not opinions but fact. If not then I must go with what the scriptures say and leave the rest to God. As far as teaching this statement that Samson was married to Delilah to my daughter, I cannot do so because I just have something in my crawe that is saying this is not right. I am still open for others replies, thank you for your time.

Why speculate on what can not be known? Delilah betrayed Sampson we know. She may or may not have been his wife. He fell for the wrong woman. That is all we know. It is all we need to know.

 

[NotWorthy]

I’m not sure if Delilah betrayed Samson so much as Samson betrayed his Nazirite vows.

As a Nazirite, Samson was supposed to stay away from strong drink, a razor, dead people, and (I think) women. Delilah was simply the tool that God used to punish Samson and bring about his fall.