THE GAZA PROSTITUTE (16:1–3). This short episode is packed with significance. Just as all of the problems of the second section (14:1–15:20) stemmed from Samson’s “going” to Timnah and “seeing” a Philistine woman, so the problems in this final section stem from Samson’s “going” to Gaza and “seeing” a prostitute (’ishshah zonah, cf. Prov 6:23–35). Samson’s going to a prostitute is once again indicative of his lack of regard for God’s law. Moreover, he goes to Gaza, a Philistine city, which requires his traveling through the length of Philistia.88 This certainly speaks to intent. This is not a
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