Samson went down to Timnah, and saw a woman in Timnah of the daughters of the Philistines.
Samson’s godly parents’ response to his desire was undoubtedly a mixture of brokenhearted grief and anger. Instead of opposing the Philistines he now wanted to ally with them in marriage. His intention reveals disregard for his divine calling in life (Judges 13:5). The reference to this woman as an "uncircumcised Philistine" stresses the fact that she was an unbeliever in Yahweh. Circumcision was the rite that identified believers in God’s promises to Abraham (Genesis 17). It was inappropriate for Israel’s deliverer to marry someone who did not share a common faith and purpose with God’s people (cf. 2 Corinthians 6:14).