Judges, Ruth: Revised Edition (The NIV Application Commentary)

by K. Lawson Younger

IN THE FIRST THEOPHANY TO MANOAH’S WIFE, the angel of Yahweh makes an unsolicited appearance to offer two predictions: (1) Manoah’s barren wife will bear a son who will be a Nazirite from conception (13:3b–5a); and (2) “He will take the lead in delivering Israel from the hands of the Philistines,” which is better translated: “He will begin to deliver Israel from the hand of the Philistines” (13:5b).17 The first prediction is fulfilled in 13:24, when “the woman gave birth to a boy and named him Samson.” The second prediction is fulfilled progressively over chapters 14–16: Samson only begins the process of deliverance; he will not accomplish it. God knows that Samson will not actually finish the job; he will only arouse Israel from its oppressive slumber. The unsolicited nature of this first appearance underscores the fact that “the raising up of this deliverer is a gracious act of God from beginning to end.”18