שופטים, פרק י״ד, פסוק ג׳

A young leader's choice of a spouse can often spark deep family and national tension, especially when the chosen partner comes from a rival nation. Samson's parents face exactly this crisis when their son insists on marrying a Philistine woman, prompting them to express fierce astonishment and opposition based on national loyalty and honor. They question whether he could not find a single suitable bride from within his own tribe [מצודת ציון], or at the very least, from any of the other tribes of Israel [ביאור שטיינזלץ].

Their resistance is built on several layers. Primarily, they are appalled by the idea of seeking a match among the uncircumcised Philistines, who are the bitter enemies and oppressors of the Israelites [מלבי״ם]. Furthermore, they worry about the public message this union would send. Choosing a foreign bride could be seen as a direct insult to the women of Israel, creating the damaging impression that not a single worthy woman existed within their entire nation [חומת אנך].

Despite their strong arguments, Samson stands firm, insisting that he wants this specific woman and no one else [מלבי״ם]. He defends his choice by explaining that she is good and fair [מצודת ציון], or simply that he is deeply and personally drawn to her [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. By framing his desire this way, Samson directly counters his parents' fear of national insult. He clarifies that his decision is not a rejection of Israelite women, but rather a matter of personal connection. He highlights the natural reality that a person can be drawn to someone subjectively, even without an obvious, objective reason [חומת אנך]. Finally, despite her foreign background, the fact that Samson asks his parents to formally arrange the match shows his desire for a proper, lawful marriage. This clearly indicates his absolute intention that she would undergo a complete conversion before they wed [מלבי״ם].