שופטים, פרק ט״ו, פסוק ו׳

The sudden devastation of the agricultural fields sparks a frantic search for answers among the Philistines, uncovering a tangled web of betrayal, revenge, and deep-seated fear. Seeing the massive scale of the destruction, they are initially baffled, assuming it is impossible for a single person to cause such an enormous fire alone [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. However, bystanders who witnessed the event quickly identify the arsonist [מצודת דוד]. He is recognized as the son-in-law of a Philistine man living in the city of Timnah [רש״י, ביאור שטיינזלץ].

Along with his identity, the motive for the devastation surfaces: the man's father-in-law had taken his wife and given her away to a friend. The Philistines' response to this discovery is surprisingly brutal toward their own people. Recognizing that Samson acted out of justified anger, the commentators agree that the Philistines view the woman and her father as the true culprits, since their betrayal and disloyalty sparked the crisis. In a strict measure-for-measure punishment, the Philistines burn the woman and her father to death, answering fire with fire [ביאור שטיינזלץ, אברבנאל].

This execution is not merely an attempt to serve justice. Driven by a profound fear of Samson, the Philistines hope this severe act will appease him, calm his rage, and put an end to his destructive rampage [מצודת דוד, אברבנאל]. Instead, their desperate attempt at peacemaking completely backfires. Samson is deeply angered by the murder of his wife, either because he still loves her, or because he believes a man of his stature must avenge his own honor rather than having others settle the score on his behalf [אברבנאל].