Thus, while Samson is at home sulking, his wife is given to his companion who attended him at his wedding (14:20). In other words, his father-in-law sees an opportunity to marry his daughter to one of his own people—no doubt a better social move on his part (cf. Laban’s actions in Gen 29:14–30, esp. vv. 26–27; 1 Sam 18:19–21). Such a move is stimulated by Samson’s return to his father’s house, which leads his father-in-law to assume that Samson is displeased with his daughter and has divorced her (he uses the term “hate,” which can technically connote divorce).
