The encounter between Samson and the lion is found in Judges 14:5–9. Samson, a judge of Israel, was on his way to Timnah to take a Philistine woman as his wife, which was part of God’s plan to confront the Philistines (Judges 14:4).
As he traveled with his parents, they came to the vineyards of Timnah. There, a young lion came roaring against him. The Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon Samson, and he tore the lion apart with his bare hands, as one would tear apart a young goat. He did not tell his parents what he had done (Judges 14:6).
Later, when Samson returned to take his wife, he turned aside to see the carcass of the lion. He found a swarm of bees and honey in the lion’s body. He took some of the honey in his hands, ate it, and gave some to his parents, but did not tell them where it came from (Judges 14:8–9).
This event later became the basis of Samson’s riddle at the wedding feast: “Out of the eater came something to eat, and out of the strong came something sweet” (Judges 14:14). The Philistines could not solve the riddle until they coerced his wife to reveal the answer.
The killing of the lion demonstrates the supernatural strength given to Samson by the Spirit of the Lord. It also marks the beginning of his confrontations with the Philistines and his complex story of divine empowerment and personal weakness.
Samson’s encounter with the lion illustrates God’s enabling power for appointed tasks and foreshadows the greater spiritual battles Samson would face. It also reminds believers of the importance of yielding to the Spirit and the dangers of failing to walk in obedience and consecration.
