Judges 16:20: Samson's Defense Departed

Verse 20:[1] And she said, The Philistines be upon thee, Samson. And he awoke out of his sleep, and said, I will go out as at other times before, and shake myself. And he wist not that the LORD (Num. 14:9, 42, 43; Josh. 7:12; 1 Sam. 16:14; 18:12; 28:15, 16; 2 Chron. 15:2) was departed from him.

He awoke out of his sleep, and said within himself, that is, he purposed and attempted it.

[Just as previously, כְּפַ֤עַם בְּפַ֙עַם֙] Verbatim: according to an occurrence on an occurrence: that is, as previously, also at this time (Vatablus).

[I will shake myself[2] (thus Montanus, Septuagint, Vatablus, Drusius, Pagnine)] Either, 1. from sleep (Drusius, Munster): or, 2. from the bonds wherewith she had bound him, to know for sure if he were able to break his bounds; as to which, since he was not able, the Philistines took possession of him securely (Lyra). But Samson was not yet actually bound (Drusius). Or, 3. from their hands; that is, I will escape (Vatablus). When I have shaken myself (Junius and Tremellius).

Shake myself, that is, put forth my strength to crush them, and to deliver myself. He wist not; being not yet well awake, and not distinctly feeling the loss of his hair, or not duly considering what would follow upon it.

[The the Lord had departed from him] With respect to the grace freely given, that is, Samson’s strength (Menochius).

The Lord was departed from him; in respect of the strength and help he had formerly given him.

[1] Hebrew: וַתֹּ֕אמֶר פְּלִשְׁתִּ֥ים עָלֶ֖יךָ שִׁמְשׁ֑וֹן וַיִּקַ֣ץ מִשְּׁנָת֗וֹ וַ֙יֹּאמֶר֙ אֵצֵ֞א כְּפַ֤עַם בְּפַ֙עַם֙ וְאִנָּעֵ֔ר וְהוּא֙ לֹ֣א יָדַ֔ע כִּ֥י יְהוָ֖ה סָ֥ר מֵעָלָֽיו׃

[2] Hebrew: וְאִנָּעֵר, in the Niphal conjugation.