Then went Samson to Gaza, and saw there an harlot, and went in unto her.
Gaza was a fortified Philistine city, one of their largest and most powerful cities. The verse belongs to the wider account of Samson's harmful association with the Philistines, where intimacy with idolaters helped corrupt him and darken his life. It shows Samson returning among the Philistines, his deadly enemies, to visit a harlot and indulge unlawful passion. He acted boldly in going there, confident in and relying on the great strength that had made the Philistines fear him.
In venturing among the ungodly and licentious, he exposed himself to temptation. Though physically strong, he lacked self-control and gave his passions free rein instead of relying on God. His presence and disgrace there exposed him to revenge, as the Philistines watched for a chance to kill him. He escaped at midnight. In escaping he carried away the city gate with its posts and bars.
His sin brought him remorse, yet God's mercy had not forsaken him and his strength delivered him. His remorse was because he had broken his Nazirite vow. The escape did not turn him from his course of sin. The path he chose ended in shame, disaster, and death.
Gaza was a fortified Philistine city, one of their largest and most powerful cities. The verse belongs to the wider account of Samson's harmful association with the Philistines, where intimacy with idolaters helped corrupt him and darken his life. It shows Samson returning among the Philistines, his deadly enemies, to visit a harlot and indulge unlawful passion. He acted boldly in going there, confident in and relying on the great strength that had made the Philistines fear him.
In venturing among the ungodly and licentious, he exposed himself to temptation. Though physically strong, he lacked self-control and gave his passions free rein instead of relying on God. His presence and disgrace there exposed him to revenge, as the Philistines watched for a chance to kill him. He escaped at midnight. In escaping he carried away the city gate with its posts and bars.
His sin brought him remorse, yet God's mercy had not forsaken him and his strength delivered him. His remorse was because he had broken his Nazirite vow. The escape did not turn him from his course of sin. The path he chose ended in shame, disaster, and death.