Samson and King Solomon Did Not Intermarry

The Rambam in Hilchot Issurei Bi’ah, discusses the correct process in dealing with converts and how they are accepted as part of the Jewish people.

He spoke of an ideal conversion scenario, and one that was minimally acceptable. Ideally, there needed to be a detailed explanation of the responsibilities involved in becoming a Jew. The conversion candidate had a clear understanding of what being Jewish was all about. And all of this was done before a court of three judges.

A minimally acceptable conversion would be done in front of three kosher Jews, who would act as a court. They would grant permission to convert without asking too many questions. The declaration of intent to become Jewish, was binding under the strict letter of the law. Such converts were also viewed as full fledged Jews, with all of its consequences, if the Torah was violated.

This brought the Rambam to digress into a discussion of Samson and King Solomon. He was emphatic in saying that one must not take the text of the Tanach literally. It is not possible to say that such great men would defile themselves by marrying non-Jewish women. He does say that they should have been more meticulous in doing a proper conversion, rather than a minimal conversion. Nevertheless, these women did convert before Samson or King Solomon married them. This is a very interesting explanation to a question bothering Jews for generations.