And when their hearts were merry, they said: ``Call Samson, that he may make sport for us'' (וַיְהִי כִי־טוֹב לִבָּם וַיֹּאמְרוּ קִרְאוּ־לְשִׁמְשׁוֹן וִישַׂחֵק לָנוּ) — the phrase ``when their hearts were merry'' (וַיְהִי כִי־טוֹב לִבָּם) suggests the height of festive celebration, the moment of maximum Philistine confidence and joy. Their summons for Samson to ``make sport'' (יִשַׂחֵק, literally ``to laugh'' or ``to play'') transforms him from prisoner of war into entertainment, a final indignity. The Philistines wish to humiliate Samson publicly, to force him to perform tricks for their amusement. The Hebrew יִשַׂחֵק can also mean ``to mock,'' suggesting they want him to be the object of mockery and laughter. This demand for entertainment sets the stage for Samson's final act: in the moment when the Philistines expect him to entertain them, he will instead deliver the judgment of God.

COMMUNITY REFLECTIONS

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