131 And the sons of Israel add to do the evil thing in the eyes of Jehovah, and Jehovah giveth them into the hand of the Philistines forty years. 2 And there is a certain man of Zorah, of the family of the Danite, and his name 'is' Manoah, his wife 'is' barren, and hath not borne; 3 and a messenger of Jehovah appeareth unto the woman, and saith unto her, 'Lo, I pray thee, thou 'art' barren, and hast not borne; when thou hast conceived, then thou hast borne a son. 4 And, now, take heed, I pray thee, and do not drink wine, and strong drink, and do not eat any unclean thing, 5 for, lo, thou art conceiving and bearing a son, and a razor doth not go up on his head, for a Nazarite to God is the youth from the womb, and he doth begin to save Israel out of the hand of the Philistines.' 6 And the woman cometh and speaketh to her husband, saying, 'A man of God hath come unto me, and his appearance 'is' as the appearance of a messenger of God, very fearful, and I have not asked him whence he 'is', and his name he hath not declared to me; 7 and he saith to me, Lo, thou art pregnant, and bearing a son, and now do not drink wine and strong drink, and do not eat any unclean thing, for a Nazarite to God is the youth from the womb till the day of his death.'
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Judges 13:1-7
Commentary on Judges 13:1-7
(Read Judges 13:1-7)
Israel did evil: then God delivered them again into the hands of the Philistines. When Israel was in this distress, Samson was born. His parents had been long childless. Many eminent persons were born of such mothers. Mercies long waited for, often prove signal mercies; and by them others may be encouraged to continue their hope in God's mercy. The angel notices her affliction. God often sends comfort to his people very seasonably, when they feel their troubles most. This deliverer of Israel must be devoted to God. Manoah's wife was satisfied that the messenger was of God. She gave her husband a particular account, both of the promise and of the precept. Husbands and wives should tell each other their experiences of communion with God, and their improvements in acquaintance with him, that they may help each other in the way that is holy.