Matthew Poole and continuators on Judges 16:3

3 And Samson lay till midnight, and arose at midnight , and took the doors of the gate of the city , and the two posts, and went away with them , bar and all, and put them upon his shoulders, and carried them up to the top of an hill that is before Hebron .

Being either smitten in Conscience for his Sin, when he first awaked, and thence fearing danger, as he had just cause to do; or, being secretly warned by God in a Dream; or, by an inward impulse, for the prevention of his designed Destruction.

Not the great Gates, but lesser Doors made in them, and strengthned with distinct Posts and Bars.

The Watch-men not expecting him till morning, and therefore being now retired into the sides, or upper part of the Gate-house, as the manner now is, to get some rest, whereby to [illegible: 1+ letters]it themselves for their hard Service intended in the morning; or, if some of them were in his way, he could easily and speedily strike them dead, and break the Door, whilst the rest were partly astonished with the surprise; and partly, preparing themselves for resistance: Nor durst they pursue him, whom they now again perceived to have such Prodigious Strength and Courage; and to be so much above the fear of them, that he did [illegible: 1 word] run away with all speed, but went leisurely, having so great a weight on his Shoulders, wherewith they knew he could both defend himself and offend them.

Either, 1. To an Hill near Hebron, which was above 20 miles from Gaza; or, 2. To the top of an high Hill not far from Gaza, which looked towards Hebron, which also stood upon another high Hill, and might be seen from this place, though it was at a great distance from it. And Sampson did this not out of vain ostentation, but as an evidence of his great strength, for the encouragement of his people to join with him more vigorously for their own Deliverance, than yet they had done, or durst do; and for the greater terror and contempt of the Philistines. It may seem strange that Sampson immediately after so foul a Sin should have the Courage in himself, and the strength from God, for so great a work. But First, it is probable, that Sampson had in some measure repented of his Sin, and begged of God Pardon and Assistance, which also he perceived by Instinct, that God would afford him. 2. This singular strength and courage was not in it self a Grace, but a Gift, which might have been in a graceless person, and therefore might continue in a good Man, notwithstanding an hainous act of Sin; and it was such a Gift as did not depend upon the disposition of his Mind, but upon the right ordering of his Body, by the rule given to him, and others of that Order.

Marginal references: Heb. With [illegible: 1 word] ba[illegible: 1+ letters].