Samson went to Gaza, and saw there a prostitute, and went in to her.
The alleged "confusion" and "improbabilities" spoken of by some writers are non-existent here.  Strahan stated that,  "Judges 16:2b does not agree with  Judges 16:2a, because there would be no need to keep watch by night when the gates were closed."[9]  Hervey explains what is said here.  "`Laid wait for him all night' is merely a reference to the ambush they planned in the city gates."[10]  These liers-in-wait did not stay awake all night, supposing it to have been unnecessary.  The text clearly states that, "They were quiet all night," meaning that they went to sleep, of course.  They no doubt slept, "In the guardroom by the side of the gate."[11]  The ambush had been planned the previous evening in anticipation that Samson would leave early the next day.