Had the Israelites been ready to unite with Samson and follow up the victory, they might at this time have freed themselves from the power of their oppressors. But they had become dispirited and cowardly. They had neglected the work which God commanded them to perform, in dispossessing the heathen, and had united with them in their degrading practices, tolerating their cruelty, and, so long as it was not directed against themselves, even countenancing their injustice. When themselves brought under the power of the oppressor, they tamely submitted to the degradation which they might have escaped, had they only obeyed God. Even when the Lord raised up a deliverer for them, they would, not infrequently, desert him and unite with their enemies.

Hvis israelitterne havde været rede til at slutte sig til Samson og forfølge sejren, kunne de have kastet undertrykkernes åg af sig på dette tidspunkt, men de var blevet modløse og feje. De havde forsømt at løse den opgave, som Gud havde givet dem, nemlig at drive hedningerne bort. I stedet for havde de sluttet forbund med dem, fulgt deres nedværdigende skikke og tålt deres grusomhed. Så længe det ikke gik ud over dem selv, billigede de den uret, som hedningerne begik. Da de selv kom under undertrykkernes åg, fandt de sig spagfærdigt i den nedværdigelse, som de kunne have undgået, hvis de blot havde adlydt Gud. Selv da Herren lod en befrier fremstå, svigtede de ham gang på gang og sluttede sig til fjenderne.