In the ancient Near East, there was no street lighting, unlike today. Other than the moon, or handheld torches, the streets were pitch black. If there were a brawl in the street, one would be as likely to attack one’s friend as one’s enemy. So it is not hard to understand the Gazites’ plan to initiate action after dawn, in order to see what they are doing. Furthermore, the city gate was closed and locked at dusk, only to be opened again only at dawn. So the Gazites were sure that Samson was trapped within the city till dawn. When he attempts to leave the city at that time, he will find the enemy awaiting him.1
2 The Gazites were told, “Samson has come here.” And they surrounded the place and set an ambush for him all night at the gate of the city. They kept quiet all night, saying, “Let us wait till the light of the morning; then we will kill him.”