141 Samson went down to Timnah and saw there a young Philistine woman.
141 And Samson went down to Timnath, and saw a woman in Timnath of the daughters of the Philistines.
141 Samson went down to Timnah, and at Timnah he saw one of the daughters of the Philistines.
141 Samson went down to Timnah. There in Timnah a woman caught his eye, a Philistine girl.
141 Now Samson went down to Timnah, and saw a woman in Timnah of the daughters of the Philistines.
141 One day when Samson was in Timnah, one of the Philistine women caught his eye.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Judges 14:1
Commentary on Judges 14:1-4
(Read Judges 14:1-4)
As far as Samson's marriage was a common case, it was weak and foolish of him to set his affections upon a daughter of the Philistines. Shall one, not only an Israelite, but a Nazarite, devoted to the Lord, covet to become one with a worshipper of Dagon? It does not appear that he had any reason to think her wise or virtuous, or any way likely to be a help meet for him; but he saw something in her agreeable to his fancy. He that, in the choice of a wife, is only guided by his eye, and governed by his fancy, must afterwards thank himself if he find a Philistine in his arms. Yet it was well done not to proceed till Samson had made his parents acquainted with the matter. Children ought not to marry, nor to move towards it, without the advice and consent of their parents. Samson's parents did well to dissuade him from yoking himself unequally with unbelievers. It seems that it pleased God to leave Samson to follow his own inclinations, intending to bring out good from his conduct; and his parents consented, because he was bent upon it. However, his example is not recorded for us to do likewise.