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Samson: Judges 13-16
“Samson.” The name gives us images of a long-haired strong man who would single-handedly defeat lions, thousands of men, carry large gates, and pull down giant pillars. And it should, because that’s what Samson did.
Samson was dedicated from birth as a Nazarite (to be distinguished from Nazarene). God had chosen him to be a deliverer of Israel against the Philistines. The Spirit of God would stir him up with great strength to be able to defeat the enemies.
Samson had his problems, though. He was sidetracked by his love for women and his temper. At times he appeared somewhat out of control. And his weakness for women caused him to tell the secret of his strength.
Yet his feats were astounding. With his bare hands he tore up a lion. He caught 300 foxes, tied their tails together, attached torches to them and sent them through Philistine fields. With the jawbone of a donkey, he defeated a thousand men. He had amazing strength.
Delilah was his downfall. Through her persistance, she got Samson to tell her the secret of his strength. By cutting his hair, he would lose his strength. She turned him over to the Philistines, who took away his strength and put out his eyes. In the end, however, Samson defeated thousands of Philistines. He was brought before a crowd who wanted to mock him. He prayed for his strength to return, and used it to push down the pillars of the structure, killing more Philistines in that act than all other times combined.
Discussion
1. What is a Nazarite? Who were Samson’s parents? How did they find out about having their son?
2. What were some of Samson’s weaknesses?
3. Discuss his amazing feats. What did he do? How could he do them?
4. Who was Delilah? How did she get Samson to divulge his secret? What were the consequences?
5. What was Samson’s last great feat? What did it accomplish?