From his mountain home Sam'son could look down upon the plains of the seacoast occupied by the Phi-lis'tines, and upon many communities once held by his own tribe but now in their possession. As he grew in superior physical strength, and as the Spirit of God moved upon him, he must have felt an impulse to begin his work against these oppressors of his nation.
When Sam'son was about eighteen years of age, he visited the town of Tim'nath, which was just a few miles from his home. Many Phi-lis'tine families lived here, so he may have intended to begin his Divinely appointed work of terrorizing the aliens who now held dominion over Is'ra-el. Instead of doing this, he fell in love with the daughter of a Phi-lis'tine family.
In keeping with the customs of the age, he asked his parents to arrange for the young woman to be his wife. They were astonished at this request, and rebuked him for seeking a wife from a heathen race, pointing out that it was contrary to the Law of God, and would work against his mission of breaking the tyranny of the Phi-lis'tines over the Is'ra-el-ites.
Although they preferred their son to take a wife from his own people, Sam'son's father and mother finally yielded to his wishes, and visited the parents of the girl to secure their permission for the proposed marriage. While passing near the vineyards in the valley of So'rek, Sam'son grappled with a lion, and killed it with his bare hands. Upon reaching the home of the young woman, and talking with her, he became more deeply attracted than ever.
After waiting for the usual period of six months between the engagement and marriage, Sam'son and his parents went to the home of the Phi-lis'tine girl for the wedding. A festival lasting seven days was planned, and friends of both families were invited. Among those invited by the bride's family were thirty young men of their own nationality. They were present, not only as friends of the bride, but as spies upon Sam'son, should any trouble arise.
As Sam'son and his parents made the journey to Tim'nath, they passed near the place where Sam'son had slain the lion six months before. Bees had made a hive in the skeleton of the lion, and it was filled with honey. Sam'son gathered and ate some of the honey, and gave some to his father and mother.
During the festivities of the first day of the wedding feast Sam'son told the thirty young men that he would ask them a riddle. If they were unable to solve it within seven days, they were to give him thirty shirts and thirty changes of clothing; and should they give the answer within this time, he would give them the same things. They agreed to the proposal, and Sam'son stated his riddle in these words:
"Out of the eater, something to eat; out of the strong, something sweet."
