7. Then he went and spoke to the woman, because Samson wanted her.
8. After some time, when he returned to get her, he left the road to see the lion’s carcass, and there was a swarm of bees with honey in the carcass.
9. He scooped some honey into his hands and ate it as he went along. When he returned to his father and mother, he gave some to them and they ate it. But he did not tell them that he had scooped the honey from the lion’s carcass.
10. His father went to visit the woman, and Samson prepared a feast there, as young men were accustomed to do.
11. When the Philistines saw him, they brought 30 men to accompany him.
12. “Let me tell you a riddle,” Samson said to them. “If you can explain it to me during the seven days of the feast and figure it out, I will give you 30 linen garments and 30 changes of clothes.
13. But if you can’t explain it to me, you must give me 30 linen garments and 30 changes of clothes.”“Tell us your riddle,” they replied. “Let’s hear it.”
14. So he said to them:Out of the eater came something to eat,and out of the strong came something sweet.After three days, they were unable to explain the riddle.
15. On the fourth day they said to Samson’s wife, “Persuade your husband to explain the riddle to us, or we will burn you and your father’s household to death. Did you invite us here to rob us? ”
16. So Samson’s wife came to him, weeping, and said, “You hate me and don’t love me! You told my people the riddle, but haven’t explained it to me.”“Look,” he said, “I haven’t even explained it to my father or mother, so why should I explain it to you? ”
17. She wept the whole seven days of the feast, and at last, on the seventh day, he explained it to her, because she had nagged him so much. Then she explained it to her people.
18. On the seventh day, before sunset, the men of the city said to him:What is sweeter than honey?What is stronger than a lion?So he said to them:If you hadn’t plowed with my young cow,you wouldn’t know my riddle now!
19. The Spirit of the Lord took control of him, and he went down to Ashkelon and killed 30 of their men. He stripped them and gave their clothes to those who had explained the riddle. In a rage, Samson returned to his father’s house,
20. and his wife was given to one of the men who had accompanied him.