Prayer: Father God, you give strength to the weak, sustenance to the poor and hungry, comfort to the downtrodden, and salvation to all who respond to your gift of faith. Strengthen me Lord. Amen.
Main Scripture: Read Hebrews 1:32, 34, Judges 13:24-25.
Samson… whose weakness was turned to strength…(Hebrews 1:32, 34).
Associated Scriptures:
The woman gave birth to a boy and named him Samson. He grew and the Lord blessed him, and the Spirit of the Lord began to stir him while he was in Mahaneh Dan, between Zorah and Eshtaol (Judges 13:24-25).
A quick overview of the story of Samson and Delilah begins with the announcement of Samson’s birth by the angel of the Lord (Judges 13:1-24). In fact, Samson is one of the few in Scripture whose birth was divinely preannounced to his parents (Judges 13:3).
Samson was born a Nazirite, meaning he was “separated” or “set aside” for God. This meant that he was not to drink wine or fruit of the vine. He couldn’t go near or touch a dead body, human or animal, nor could he cut his hair.
Although God empowered him with supernatural strength to begin the deliverance of the people of Israel from the Philistines (Judges 13:5), it was his weakness for the Philistine women that did him in (Judges 14:1-3, 16:1-22). …his passionate obsession for Delilah that led him to reveal to her the secret of his strength. His hair was shorn by Delilah, and, as a result, he was captured, blinded, and forced to grind grain for his enemies.[1]
In the end, Samson cried out to God in Judges 16:28, “Sovereign Lord, remember me. O God, please strengthen me just once more, and let me with one blow get revenge on the Philistines for my two eyes."
Correlative Quotes:
It is not by any means necessary to suppose that in making mention of Samson, the apostle approved of all that he did. All that he commands is his faith, and though he was a very imperfect man, and there were many things in his life which neither sound morality nor religion can approve, yet it was still true that he evinced, on some occasions, remarkable confidence in God, by relying on the strength which he gave him.[2] Albert Barnes
We would not call Samson a godly man, for he yielded to his fleshly appetites. He was a Nazarite, which meant he was dedicated to God and was never to cut his hair or partake of the fruit of the vine. (A Nazarite should not be confused with a Nazarene, a resident of Nazareth.) Samson did trust God to help and deliver him and, in the end, Samson was willing to give his life to defeat the enemy. However, we must not conclude that believers today can expect to lead double lives and still enjoy God's blessing.[3] – William W. Wiersbe
The writer now resorts to piling up examples because of the impossibility of taking each case separately. The list is impressive, including some of the Judges, the greatest of Israel's kings-David, and one of her greatest prophets-Samuel.
The list of deeds is equally impressive. In some cases, the incidents referred to are well-known; in others, they are more obscure. In each instance, however, something typical of those who live by faith is brought out. The faith life makes such deeds possible, deeds of valor, might, courage, or perseverance. And these are the kinds of experiences that those who live by faith are called upon to endure. All of the history of Israel is encompassed in these few brief sentences. By a careful search of the OT, it is possible to find many of the events mentioned.[4]
Study:
Overview of Samson’s Life:
The next name used for God is Adonai (Adonaay)[6]. This name expresses the authority of God as Lord and Master (Isaiah 6:1). In using this name, Samson recognizes that God has all authority in Heaven and on earth. He sees God as the Supreme Being with all power. In this way, even though he has not honored God with his life, Samson has the opportunity to praise and worship God as his Lord and potential Savior.
Finally, Samson uses the name Elohim (Elohyim)[7], the Creator and the Judge (Genesis 1:1, Psalm 75:8). In essence, Samson recognizes God as his maker but also as his judge. God created Samson to be something special. However, Samson, in his lust for women, threw that all away. He now understands that his present situation is due to his unrighteousness.
Summary Statement:
It was due to Samson’s extraordinary faith that God heard his prayer and returned his strength long enough for him to finish the job he was called to do. Many see Samson as a tragic figure torn by sin and ravaged by those who would destroy him. However, Samson is in “Faith's Hall of Fame” for a reason. In the end, he proved that he was a man of God. Samson sacrificed himself to be the person God wanted him to be.
Samson's new soulmate sold him out. In Judges 16:9, In an instant, Samson's strength was gone. He was quickly captured, had his eyes plucked out, and was taken away as a prisoner. But Samson would have his grand finale. He prayed to God for the strength to bring down the columns of a Philistine temple. In one final act of strength, Samson killed more Philistines than he did in his whole life. It is a heroic ending to a complicated and unedited story.[8] – Jarrett Stevens
[1] What Should we Learn from the Account of Samson and Delilah?, © 2002-2016 God Questions Ministry, All Rights Reserved, gotquestions.org/Samson-and-Delilah.html
[2] Barnes' Notes, Electronic Database Copyright © 1997, 2003, 2005, 2006 by Biblesoft, Inc. All rights reserved.
[3] William W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary. Copyright © 1989 by Chariot Victor Publishing, and imprint of Cook Communication Ministries. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
[4] The Wycliffe Bible Commentary, Electronic Database. Copyright © 1962 by Moody Press. All rights reserved.
[5] Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.
[6] Ibid.
[7] Ibid.
[8] Jarret Stevens, The Real Story of Samson, © 2016 Christianity Today, christianitytoday.com/iyf/faithandlife/strangeverses/real-story-of-samson.html