Samson was the son of Manoah who was from the tribe of Dan. Jacob had prophesied of Dan, "Dan shall judge his people, as one of the tribes of Israel. Dan shall be a serpent by the way, an adder in the path, that biteth the horse heels, so that his rider shall fall backwards" (Gen. 49:16-17). So it should be no surprise that God would choose to raise up a leader from this tribe to save the Israelites from the Philistines. God chose to do this at a time in Israel's history when they had been under the heavy hand of the Philistines' for 40 years. Let us look closer at this man.
As with Samuel, God choose a barren woman to give birth to Samson. You see, at times God choose to bring men or women into the world for special purposes. Jesus speaks of this in John, chapter fifteen, verse sixteen which says, "Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you." In the Old Testament times these men or women were called Nazarites. You can read the guidelines for a Nazarite in Numbers, chapter 6, verses 2 through 21. An angel went to Samson's Mother before she became pregnant with him to tell her that God had chosen to give her a son that would be a Nazarite. He then gave her instructions on her diet while she was pregnant and how to feed & care for him after he was born. Some of the instructions were to not eat anything that was made from grapes and not to ever cut his hair. These instructions were given for Samson was chosen to be a Nazarite from birth (Judges 13). Samson also judged Israel for 20 years during the times that the Philistines was over them (Jud. 15:20).
Samson's hair was the source of his strength. How strong was he? He was strong enough to kill a lion with his bear hands, carry the town's gates, posts, as well as killing many men with the jaw bone of a donkey (Jud. 14:1-16:3).
But Samson fell in love with a harlot named Deliah. After that he let his feelings override reason. This became his weakness for he didn't realize that a trap was being set for him to take away his strength. When the Philistines realized that Samson was in love with Deliah, they bribed her to find out what the secret to his strength was. At first, he didn't tell her, but she kept as him each time he was with her. In time, he weakened a little and he gave her false information to appease her. three different times. Deliah each time she tried to trap him by doing whatever he had said would take his strength away. But each time he got away when the Philistines came to get him. By this time, Samson was so emotionally involved with Deliah that he didn't think about the three times she had tricked him when she turned on the waterworks of tears telling him that he must not love her, because if he did he would tell her his secret. Because of this, Samson gave in and told Deliah the truth that his strength lied in his hair. This was his undoing. For when he fell asleep, Deliah cut his hair and called the Philistines to take Samson away (Jud. 16:16:1-20) .
When they took Samson away, they pocked out his eyes & made him grind in the prison house. He did this long enough until his hair grew out again. Though no one seemed to notice. One day, the Philistines came to celebrate the fact that they had Samson & thank their god Dagon, for helping them do so. They had Samson brought to the temple of Dagon for the celebration. While Samson was there, he asked the boy who was watching over him to take him to the pillars so that he may lean against them. The boy not being aware of the fact that Samson's strength had returned, did so. When Samson felt the pillars, he asked God to give him his strength one more time so he that he could kill the Philistines. God answered that prayer by giving his strength back. Samson took hold of the two load bearing pillars in the middle of the place and pulled them in, causing the building to collapse, killing everyone including himself that was in the temple. In doing so, he struck like a serpent and make them three thousand Philistines fall down dead that day. Just like Jacob had prophesied long ago (Jud. 16:21-31). Samson played judge & executor in his death and freed his people from the Philistines rule over Israel. In doing so, he fulfilled his calling on his life.
It is often hardest to be willing to die for what you believe. It takes great faith to do so. Samson had that kind of faith.
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