Introduction
Samson was one of the Judges, charismatic rulers of Israel before the Kings. In his day, Israel had been worshipping the Philistines’ gods, and their punishment was to fall under Philistia’s government. To make sure that the Israelites were not absorbed by Philistine society, however, God prompted Samson to keep tensions high.
ONE day, when Samson was still only a young man, he left his home in Zorah and went into Timnath.* There he saw a pretty Philistine girl, and from that moment was determined to make her his bride. His parents disapproved, but agreed to meet her in Timnath.
Somewhere near the vineyards of Timnath, Samson wandered off by himself and was set upon by a young lion; but so great was Samson’s strength that he killed it with his bare hands. He returned to his family looking quite unruffled. Not a word was said about the lion.
The family went down to Timnath again some time later, to fetch Samson’s bride for the wedding; Samson was not an easy man to say No to. Curious to know what had happened to his lion, he slipped out alone to see. The carcass was still there, but now there was a bees’ nest in it. He helped himself to some honey, and took some for his family, but said nothing about where it had come from.
Zorah is now the Tel Tzora archaeological site, just northwest of Beit Shemesh and some fifteen miles west of Jerusalem. In Samson’s day, it lay on the border between the tribal lands of Judah and Dan. Timnath is identified today with Tel Batash, a little further northwest near Tal Shahar in the Sorek Valley.
Précis
Samson’s decision to marry a Philistine girl did not please his parents, but they agreed to meet her in Timnath. Just outside the town, Samson was attacked by lion, which he killed with his bare hands, but he said nothing about it. On a follow-up visit, he discovered a bees’ nest in the lion’s carcass, but still said nothing. (59 / 60 words)
Samson’s decision to marry a Philistine girl did not please his parents, but they agreed to meet her in Timnath. Just outside the town, Samson was attacked by lion, which he killed with his bare hands, but he said nothing about it. On a follow-up visit, he discovered a bees’ nest in the lion’s carcass, but still said nothing.
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Variations: 1.increase the length of this precis to exactly 65 words. 2.reduce the length of this precis to exactly 55 words. 3.introduce one of the following words into the precis: although, despite, just, otherwise, since, until, whether, who.
Word Games
Sevens Based on this passage
Suggest answers to this question. See if you can limit one answer to exactly seven words.
What did Samson’s parents think of his choice of bride?
Suggestion
They disapproved, as she was a Philistine. (7 words)
Variations: 1.expand your answer to exactly fourteen words. 2.expand your answer further, to exactly twenty-one words. 3.include one of the following words in your answer: if, but, despite, because, (al)though, unless.
Jigsaws Based on this passage
Express the ideas below in a single sentence. Do not be satisfied with the first answer you think of; think of several, and choose the best.
Samson went to Timnath. He saw a girl there. He at once decided to marry her.