שופטים, פרק י״ד, פסוק ו׳

Samson's sudden encounter with a lion marks the first revelation of his supernatural physical strength. This immense power stems directly from a divine source, as a spirit of bravery from God rests upon him without warning [רד״ק, מצודת ציון, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. The sudden surge of energy provides Samson with an extraordinary, double measure of might [מלבי״ם, רלב״ג].

Empowered by God, Samson confronts the lion and tears it into two pieces [רד״ק, מצודת ציון]. He performs this feat with remarkable ease, handling the dangerous animal as though he is simply pulling apart a young, soft goat [מצודת דוד, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. The achievement is even more impressive because he fights completely empty-handed, relying on no weapons or tools of any kind [מצודת דוד, ביאור שטיינזלץ].

Following the struggle, Samson chooses to keep the event entirely to himself, hiding the victory even from his own parents. He remains silent because, in his own eyes, the feat is not a significant display of bravery worth boasting about [מצודת דוד]. However, keeping this encounter a secret plays a crucial role in the events that follow [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. The clash takes place roughly a year before Samson returns to marry the Philistine woman, a waiting period designated to allow her time to prepare for the wedding [רלב״ג].