What does Judges 15:18 mean?
For the first time in this story, Samson is recorded acknowledging the role of God in his life. Even so, it comes in the form of a backhanded demand. Supernaturally empowered by the Lord, Samson has utterly obliterated the Philistine army sent to kill him. Armed only with a donkey's jawbone, he has piled up the corpses of his enemies (Judges 15:14–16). How long this took to accomplish, Scripture does not say. Once it is over, and Samson cries out a clever, poetic boast (Judges 15:17). Then the limits of his physical body seem to catch up to him.Athletes in combat sports often endure long, grueling contests before finally attaining victory. It's common, in those moments, for the victor to celebrate wildly, only to collapse seconds later in utter exhaustion. Samson has not merely been in a fight; he's killed an entire army's worth of enemy soldiers. Likely out of breath, dehydrated, exhausted, and battered, he cries out to God for relief. The most pressing feeling is that of thirst—so intense Samson thinks he might die.
This prayer begins by acknowledging that the Lord granted his miraculous rescue. Rather than being taken in and killed, he has instead killed the troops sent against him. And yet, the request comes in the form of an accusing question: after all that, are you going to let me die of thirst, so the Philistines can find my corpse? Even when praying, Samson demonstrates his selfish, abrasive nature (Judges 14:1–4).
There's a strange irony in Samson's mention of uncleanness, regarding the uncircumcised Philistines. As far as Scripture has recorded, Samson has shown little concern for ceremonial uncleanness thus far. He ignored his parents' objection to marrying a woman from these same "uncircumcised" people (Judges 14:1–4). He ate honey from an animal carcass (Judges 14:8–9). His interest in ritual purity seems extremely fickle.
The Lord will not rebuke Samson, yet. He has used Samson to accomplish His purpose of creating war between Israel and the Philistines (Judges 13:5). And it seems He has more work for Samson to do.