In Chapter Eighty-Four of Book Four of the Prophesies and Revelations of St. Bridget of Sweden, our Lord continues His advice to the bride, this time a short soliloquy on why He made woman subject to man for He describes three specific men, known to us in the Old Testament as a king whose lover treated him with disdain and whom Christ called a crowned donkey; the mighty Samson who was taken down not by someone of equal strength but by the wiles of a woman, whom we know as the devilish Delilah. For this Jesus says he had the heart of a hare and, as we know, lost his hair. Finally He identifies Solomon who He compares to a basilisk, the deadly lizard-like serpent which could kill with its glare. So also the wise, but vain King was felled by the glance of a woman.

The Son speaks: "Three men are said to have fallen because of women.

The first was a king whose lover struck him on the face when he did not smile at her. This is because he was a fool and could not restrain her nor cared about his own honor. He was like a donkey wearing a crown - a donkey because of his foolishness, a crown because of his rank.

"The second was Samson who, though the strongest of men, was beaten by a woman. He had the heart of a hare, since he was unable to master a single woman.

"The third was Solomon who was like a basilisk that kills by a glance but is killed by a mirror. Thus, the wisdom of Solomon exceeded all the rest, yet a woman's looks slew him. Woman must therefore be subject to man."

Previously:

Book Four: Chapter Eighty-Three

Book One, Two, Three, and 83 Chapters of Book Four to date

15 Prayers

Revelations and Prophesies Imparted to St. Bridget of Sweden
Book Four: Chapter Eighty-Four