Then the Philistines went up, and encamped in Judah, and spread themselves in Lehi.
"We have come up to bind Samson"  (Judges 15:10).  That the Philistine sent a thousand men on this mission is an indication of their fear of Samson and their determination to take him.  They were willing to declare war on Judah if Judah insisted on protecting Samson.