In Judges, chapter sixteen, verse one, Samson went to Gaza. One of the five principalities of the Philistines, which was ten miles from Ashkelon. A chief city, to make some new attempt upon them, whom he feared not in their cities or camps, having had such huge experience of his strength and God’s assistance. Possibly Samson came in thither by night, unknown and unobserved till afterward. However, Samson’s sexual lust eventually led to his downfall, as in verses four and nineteen through twenty-one. He was more concerned with satisfying his sexual passion than pleasing his holy God.
Samson saw a harlot: going into a house of public entertainment to refresh himself, as the manner was in Joshua two, verse one. There saw this harlot, which implies that he did not go thither upon so evil a design but accidentally saw her there, and by giving way to lustful looks upon her, was captive by her.
A harlot in those days also means a woman that keeps an inn. However, it seems that this woman has been a harlot. Samson, it appears, going into a house of public entertainment to refresh himself, saw there this woman, and by giving way to look upon her, was captive. Gaza is near the sea and was the chief town of the Philistines, in the very heart of their country. It is useless to inquire how Samson could venture there, whether he went in disguise or his objective for going there.
The visit of Samson to this city was exposure of his life in one of the enemy’s strongholds. It soon became known that he was there; and the letter was resolved to secure him. But deeming themselves of their prey, the Gazites deferred the execution of their measure till the morning. Samson goeth in to a harlot; is hemmed in; riseth at midnight; taketh the city gates, posts, and bars on his shoulders, and carrieth them up into a mountain.