Great Stories Of The Bible – Part 16 Samson (Judges 13–16)
Great Stories Of The Bible – Part 16
Samson (Judges 13–16)
"Then Samson called to the LORD and said, 'O Lord GOD, please remember me and please strengthen me just this time, O God, that I may at once be avenged of the Philistines for my two eyes.'"
— Judges 16:28
INTRODUCTION
In the last article in this series, we looked at Joshua and the Battle of Jericho. From there, Israel went through a season of conquest and division of the Promised Land. With no king to rule them, the people recognized God as their King. The book of Judges records a repeated cycle: Israel obeyed and received blessing, then fell into disobedience, which brought oppression and hardship. After repentance, God raised up a judge to deliver them. There were fourteen judges in all, and Samson was one of them. He is a troubling figure—sinful and flawed—yet remembered as a man of faith in Hebrews 11:32.
THE STORY OF SAMSON
Because of Israel’s sin, God handed them over to the Philistines for forty years. To Manoah and his wife, who were childless, an angel announced the birth of a son who would be set apart as a Nazirite. That son was Samson, and the Spirit of the Lord empowered him from time to time as he grew.
Samson’s life was marked by great strength but also great weakness. He killed a lion with his bare hands, found honey in its carcass, and used it to pose a riddle to thirty groomsmen at his wedding feast. When they tricked the answer from his bride, he killed thirty men at Ashkelon to pay his wager. Later, in anger, he captured 300 jackals, tied torches to their tails, and burned the Philistine fields. When attacked, he struck down 1,000 Philistines with the jawbone of a donkey.
But Samson’s weaknesses often overcame him. He visited a prostitute in Gaza, fell in love with Delilah, and eventually revealed that his strength was tied to his hair. His hair was cut, his strength left him, and he was blinded and enslaved. Yet in his final act, he prayed for God’s strength one last time. Pushing down the pillars of the temple of Dagon, he killed more Philistines in his death than in his life.
LESSONS FROM SAMSON’S LIFE
You can’t dedicate your children without dedicating yourself. Manoah and his wife took the vow first. They clearly taught Samson about God’s will, even giving him wise counsel in adulthood. Though he did not always listen, they remained faithful to him, even in death.
God may be at work even when we can’t see it. Though Samson’s parents opposed his Philistine marriage, the Lord was using the situation to bring about His plan. God often works behind the scenes, turning even our mistakes toward His greater purposes.
God works His will through sinners. Samson’s failures are many—breaking vows, touching the unclean, gambling, murder, immorality, and finally suicide. He struggled especially with lust. Yet, Hebrews 11 lists him among the heroes of faith. Samson’s story reminds us that God’s purposes are not accomplished through our perfection, but through His power working in faith.
You might be surprised who God uses. Jesus said that tax collectors and prostitutes were entering the kingdom ahead of the self-righteous. Samson reminds us not to think too highly of ourselves but to marvel at God’s ability to use broken, sinful people for His glory.
You should be surprised that God can use you. As Paul confessed in Romans 7, we all struggle with sin, doing the very things we hate. Yet through Christ there is no condemnation. By His Spirit, we are set free from sin and empowered to live for God.
CONCLUSION
Samson’s life warns us of the cost of sin but also assures us of the power of faith. He was deeply flawed, yet God used him to deliver His people. Do you recognize your sin and still believe in God’s power? Have you doubted that He could use you? Samson’s story shows us that God can take even the weakest vessel and display His strength for His glory.
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