Explore the Bible By Douglas K. Wilson, Ph.D.
Dean, School of Christian Studies, University of Mobile
COMPROMISED POTENTIAL
Judges 16:4–6, 13–20
Samson. Just the mention of his name stirs the imagination: strongman, menace, judge, compromiser, warrior with a jawbone, Nazirite, blind, laughing stock, destroyer of the Philistine temple. God had a plan for him to protect the people of Israel and deliver them from the Philistines. His parents set him apart for service to God in obedience to the angel. They covenanted with God to make Samson a Nazirite. He was to live a holy, separated life before God. He was to remain separate from a razor, grapes, anything dead and anything that was ceremonially unclean according to the Law of Moses (Judg. 13:5, Num. 6:1–8).
In the first several chapters of this cycle (Judg. 13–15), Samson has shown himself to be a rebel. First he desires to have a Philistine wife. Second he killed a mountain lion and returned to it to harvest honey from its rotting carcass. Third his newly acquired wife betrayed him so he gave her away. Then he took out his anger upon the Philistines by setting their harvest on fire and later killed 1,000 warriors with the jawbone of a donkey.
The introduction to our hero concludes with Samson visiting a prostitute in Gaza, being surrounded by men waiting to kill him when he left and him tearing the doors of the Gaza city gate off their hinges and carrying them to the top of a hill in the middle of the night. He had compromised himself with unclean women. He had broken the vow by returning to the lion’s carcass. This man with such great power was about to lose it all.
Please Tell Me (4–6)
Samson and Delilah — it must have been true love, right? Once again passionate Samson fell for a Philistine woman. Wealthy Philistine rulers approached Delilah so she could help them capture Samson. In fact she was promised an extraordinary payday if she would betray Samson to them.
For Judas, he was willing to betray our Lord Jesus for the price of a slave, 30 pieces of silver. By contrast, Delilah would receive a king’s ransom of 1,100 shekels of silver from each Philistine ruler as payment for betraying Samson. All she had to ask was the secret of Samson’s strength.
If You Love Me (13–15)
Perhaps he believed it was playful banter to begin with as Delilah the spy began asking about his strength. With each attempt to subdue him he broke free from his bonds without effort. Each time his answers became closer and closer to the truth. After several attempts she openly questioned his love for her.
Samson’s first wife tried to use the phrase, “You hate me,” to sway his emotions (Judg. 14:16). Delilah was more cunning, knowing this passionate man loved her. Love, or lust, was her advance over him. This time Samson told her the truth about the razor and surrendered his secret. The spider now had her prey.
The Philistines Are Here (16–20)
At least three times before, Delilah shouted, “The Philistines are here” (16:9, 12, 14). The announcement became a joke to Samson. This final time, however, it was not joke. His hair was gone, his strength was gone and the Lord was gone. He had utterly abandoned his separation for God’s service and the Lord had withdrawn His blessing. The Philistines blinded Samson and turned him into an object of entertainment.
In the midst of these humiliating and hopeless circumstances God redeemed His repentant servant. God can redeem your circumstance as well.
Share with others: