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Judges 3:10
And the Spirit of the LORD came upon him, and he judged Israel, and went out to war: and the LORD delivered Chushanrishathaim king of Mesopotamia into his hand; and his hand prevailed against Chushanrishathaim.

Judges 6:34
But the Spirit of the LORD came upon Gideon, and he blew a trumpet; and Abiezer was gathered after him.

Judges 11:29
Then the Spirit of the LORD came upon Jephthah, and he passed over Gilead, and Manasseh, and passed over Mizpeh of Gilead, and from Mizpeh of Gilead he passed overunto the children of Ammon.

the camp of Dan.

Judges 18:12
And they went up, and pitched in Kirjathjearim, in Judah: wherefore they called that place Mahanehdan unto this day: behold,it is behind Kirjathjearim.

between

Judges 18:11
And there went from thence of the family of the Danites, out of Zorah and out of Eshtaol, six hundred men appointed with weapons of war.

Joshua 15:33
And in the valley, Eshtaol, and Zoreah, and Ashnah,

at Mahaneh-dan
Mahaneh-dan, meaning "camp of Dan," is a location associated with the tribe of Dan. This site is significant as it marks the place where the tribe of Dan settled during their migration (Judges 18:12). The mention of Mahaneh-dan highlights the tribal context of Samson's story, as he was from the tribe of Dan. This location serves as a geographical marker for the beginning of Samson's activities and is a reminder of the tribal divisions and settlements in Israel during the period of the judges.

between Zorah and Eshtaol
Zorah and Eshtaol are towns in the territory of Dan, near the border with Judah. These locations are significant in Samson's narrative, as they are part of his homeland. Zorah is noted as Samson's birthplace (Judges 13:2), and Eshtaol is frequently mentioned in connection with his early life and burial (Judges 16:31). The mention of these towns situates the narrative in a specific geographical context, emphasizing the local origins of Samson's mission. This area is also archaeologically significant, with evidence of ancient settlements that provide insight into the period's cultural and historical background.

• Scripture reports, “The Spirit of the LORD came upon” earlier judges like Othniel (Judges 3:10), Gideon (Judges 6:34), and Jephthah (Judges 11:29). Samson stands in that same line of Spirit-empowered deliverers.

• Before Pentecost the Holy Spirit selectively empowered individuals for specific tasks (1 Samuel 16:13). His coming on Samson shows divine initiative—Israel’s rescue will be God’s work, not human ingenuity (Zechariah 4:6).

• For believers today the passage foreshadows the permanent indwelling promised inJohn 14:16-17.

• “Stir” pictures an inner prompting, an irresistible urge to act. God was awakening Samson’s calling long before his public exploits (compareJeremiah 1:5;2 Timothy 1:6).

• Like Bezalel, whom God “filled with the Spirit…to craft” (Exodus 31:2-3), Samson is equipped for his unique mission—deliverance through physical strength (Judges 14:6).

•Philippians 2:13 reminds believers that “it is God who works in you to will and to act,” echoing this divine stirring.

• Mahaneh-dan means “camp of Dan” and was already known from the migration of the Danites (Judges 18:11-12). God meets Samson where his tribe is encamped, underscoring:

– Ministry begins in one’s own community (Acts 1:8 starts with Jerusalem).

– Even a spiritually struggling tribe (Judges 18 shows Dan’s idolatry) can become the setting for God’s work.

• The camp context hints at warfare; the Judge will function as Israel’s champion (1 Samuel 17:47).

• These neighboring towns lay on Judah’s border (Joshua 15:33). Samson grows up in a borderland—fitting for someone called to confront the Philistines who occupied nearby territory (Judges 13:5).

• God often raises deliverers from seemingly insignificant places: Bethlehem for David (1 Samuel 17:15) and Jesus (Micah 5:2).

• The phrase roots the event in real geography, reminding us that biblical history unfolds in verifiable locations.

Judges 13:25 records the first movement of the Holy Spirit in Samson’s life. The verse teaches that God Himself initiates deliverance, gradually prepares His chosen servant, and does so within ordinary settings and flawed communities. Samson’s upcoming feats are therefore to be read not as mere tales of human strength but as demonstrations of God’s power working through a stirred, Spirit-empowered life.

Began to move him.--Literally,to agitateorthrust him(paham,Genesis 41:8;Daniel 2:1). The word implies vehement and overwhelming impulses to noble deeds ("fing an ihn zu treiben,"Luther), which, however, only came over him "at times" (Judges 14:6;Judges 15:14;Judges 16:20). The LXX. rendering,"to go with him," comes from a wrong reading. . . .

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