Biblical Date: 1075BC
The secret was no longer a secret! Samson had told Delilah how to take away his power and she was unscrupulous in her selfishness.
Delilah instructed the Philistines to come immediately and bring the silver reward they promised her for his betrayal. Then, while Samson was asleep, she told them to, “Shave off the seven braids of his hair”. When Samson awoke, he tried to escape the Philistines as he had done before but his strength was gone. (Judges 16:19)
The Philistines bound him in bronze chains and gouged out his eyes. They then took him to Gaza, imprisoned him and put him to work in the prison mill.
The Philistines were in celebration mood. They assembled with their rulers and families in the temple, more than three thousand of them, to give sacrifice to the god Dragon. They sang and drank and as the mood relaxed, they ordered the guards to bring Samson to the temple so, “he can entertain us!” (Judges 16:25)
Samson, unable to see, asked the guard to position him so he could touch the two main pillars supporting the temple. The guard obliged. Samson, whose hair had now regrown -a simple matter overlooked by the Philistines, thus his strength renewed, prayed to God saying, “O Master, Lord, remember me! Strengthen me just one more time, O God, so I can get swift revenge against the Philistines for my two eyes!” (Judges 16:28) Samson then pushed with all his old strength and the temple collapsed, killing himself and the thousands of Philistines and their rulers.
Samson “had led Israel for twenty years”. (Judges 16:31) (Judges 16:16-31)
Thought
This is a strange story; many moral questions raised and few answers given!
Like many of the stories in the Book of Judges, one could ask, why does God continue to love us?
Reflection
Be merciful to me, O God, because of your constant love.
Because of your great mercy wipe away my sins!
Wash away all my evil and make me clean from my sin! (Psalm 51:1-2)
Prayer: Today/Tonight (St Augustine)
Watch, Lord, with those who wake or weep today/tonight.
Give the Angels and Saints charge over them.
O Lord Jesus Christ,
tend Your sick ones,
rest Your weary ones,
bless Your dying ones,
soothe the suffering ones,
pity all the afflicted ones,
shield the joyful ones,
and all for Your love’s sake. Amen.
Top Questions:
Was Samson for real?
Some suggest he was a mythical character whose life paralleled that of Hercules in Greek mythology.
Samson and Hercules were both born in unusual circumstances and at times of conflict. Both killed a lion, tore down city gates and single-handedly overcame armies with great physical and divine strength. Both caused the death of their first wife by fire and it was a lover that led both to their imprisonment and death by their own hands.
Were Temples built on two supporting pillars?
Yes. Archaeological evidence of Temples supported by two central pillars, about 6ft apart, have been discovered at Tel Qasile and Tel Miqne, Tel Aviv.
How can Samson’s revenge killings be justified?
His killings are extremely difficult to condone!
What’s remarkable, however, is that following killing sprees, Samson turned back towards God, and God listened.
