Samson went to Gaza, and saw there a prostitute, and went in to her.
Evidently the men of Gaza decided that they would capture Samson as he left the city the next morning. Consequently they slept at the gate of the city that night (Judges 16:2). Samson left early, however, about midnight. Presumably God caused Samson’s enemies to sleep through his exit. Pulling the city gateposts out of the ground and carrying off the whole gate with its bar and frame must have caused considerable noise.