Death of Samson, the 14th Judge of Israel

Judges 16:21-31. Samson in Hebrew means: Distinguished, strong. He was from the tribe of Dan. He was the strongest man in the Bible and was Israel’s 14th Judge. Samson judged Israel for 20 years, 1069BC-1049BC.

He had a lady friend called Delilah whose name means: languishing-trouble.

Removed southwest gates of Gaza, and pushed out the pillars of the house of Dagon killing those there and himself.

Background Reading:

Samson is Imprisoned by the Philistines

Then the Philistines grabbed him, gouged out his eyes, brought him down to Gaza, tied him up in bronze chains, and made him grind grain in their prison. 22 But the hair on his head began to grow again after it had been shaved off.

23 Some time later, the Philistine officials got together to present a magnificent sacrifice to their god Dagon, and to throw a party, because they were claiming, “Our god has given Samson into our control!”

24 When the people saw Samson, they praised their god, claiming:

Our god has given our enemy into our control;

the one who was destroying our land,

and who has killed many of us.

25 Because they all got good and drunk, they ordered, “Go get Samson, so he can entertain us.” So they called for Samson from the prison, and he entertained them while they made him stand between the pillars.

Samson Kills Himself and 3,000 Philistines

26 Then Samson told the young man who had been leading him around by the hand, “Let me touch and feel the pillars on which this building rests, and I’ll support myself against them.” 27 Now the building was full of men, women, and all the Philistine officials, with about 3,000 men and women on the roof watching Samson while he was entertaining them.

28 Then Samson cried out to the LORD, “Lord GOD, please remember me. And please strengthen me this one time, God, so that I can repay the Philistines right now for my two eyes.” 29 Then Samson grabbed the two middle pillars upon which the house rested and braced himself against them with one pillar in his right hand and the other in his left.

30 Then Samson said, “Let me die with the Philistines!” He strained with all his strength until the building collapsed on the officials and every person in it. As a result, the dead whom he killed at his death were more than those whom he killed during his lifetime. 31 Afterwards, his brothers and his father’s household servants came down, took him, brought him back, and buried him in his father Manoah’s tomb between Zorah and Eshtaol. He had governed Israel for 20 years.
Judges 16:21-31

More Information:

Samson kept breaking God’s rules and so he kept on paying the price.

Samson had a life of contrasts: Separated as a Nazarite – yet tampering with evil associations, spiritual at times – yet under the power of carnal appetites, childish in his plans – yet courageous in battle, mighty in physical strength – yet weak in resisting temptation, had a sad yet triumphant end.

Samson, Delilah
He loves, she nags, deceives, lies
Hair cut, strength expires.


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