In this final study on the life of Samson, we've finally arrived at the encounter with Delilah, and Samson's eventual downfall. What final lessons can we learn from this flawed hero?
(A) Samson’s lust: patterns of uncontrolled desire and pride (Judges 16:1-3)
A short story takes place in Gaza, one of the major Philistine cities. Samson leaves Israel and heads to Gaza and finds a prostitute and sleeps with her (Judges 16:1). The text records this for us in short, concise phrases, in a matter of fact manner. This is a pattern for Samson that we've seen before (Judges 14:1, 15:1), and by now, we've already seen how this is a man who consistently gives in to his own desires and does what he pleases.
At this point in the narrative, Samson has been a judge of Israel for some time and people know who he is. He would not longer be the young man who could be rash with his decisions in Judges 14. Yet, in this encounter with the nameless prostitute, we see that he has not changed his way and is still driven by desire, with no self-control. Does this surprise you that this fickle, impulsive, ill-disciplined person is in the Bible? Does it surprise you that God makes this man a judge? In Song of Solomon 8:6-7, we learn of the reality of the strength of the affections of the heart and the commitment that the writer has in love ("set me as a seal upon your heart"). This passion and fervor can make or break our life, "for love is as strong as death, jealousy is fierce as the grave" (Song of Solomon 8:6b). But unlike the speaker in Song of Solomon, Samson has no self-control or commitment.
The Gazites plan to ambush Samson at the gates of the city, hoping to catch him when he leaves in the morning. However, Samson arose at midnight and completely removed the doors and gate of the city to humiliate, oppose and destroy them (Judges 16:3). Living within gated cities were seen as secure and good, thus, leaving the Gazites without a gate was a threat to their security. What began as a family conflict in the previous chapters has now escalated into an attack on a city. When we read this with Judges 13:5 in mind, we see how God's plan of rescuing his people was being achieved through a flawed hero whose motives were not always about God's glory and purposes.
These verses show us plainly how emboldened and confident Samson is. At the same time, we are also meant to see his moral failings. Samson is not meant to be an example for us. In fact, it also serves to show us how messed up we can be. Samson's ethnicity, role and family heritage in no way helped him to live a life pleasing to God. In the same way for us, we can go to church, serve and do the right things, we can also be just as messed up as Samson. The life of Samson cautions us that hearts left unchecked and uncontrolled, given in to pride and lust can lead us to disaster. Is God saying anything to you today, about the way you are living your life? Has success gone to your head? Are you feeding your lust?
(B) Samson’s trust: what you trust, you risk (Judges 16:4-22)
"After this", we are told that "he loved a woman in the Valley of Sorek, whose name was Delilah" (Judges 16:4). This sets the stage for the final part of the narrative, where Samson's ongoing trajectory downhill hits the pits, and he "loves" a woman whose name sounds like the Hebrew word for night. There's something poetic about this that the writer is also trying to convey.
When the lords of the Philistines knew about Samson and Delilah, they found her and tasked her with finding out "where his great strength lies, and by what means (they) may overpower him" (Judges 16:5). In return for her achievement, they promised to pay her with 5500 pieces of silver. This is no small sum, and she is clearly motivated by this reward (c.f. Judges 16:18b). Like Samson, Delilah was one who worked towards getting what she wanted. To her, Samson was the means to achieving her financial security. And we've already seen how Samson sought his own sexual fulfillment in whoever he could find, and at this point, it was Delilah. Judges 16 exposes the relationship between Samson and Delilah for how fake, shallow and transactional it is.
Delilah proceeds to press Samson to reveal the "secret of his strength" so that someone could overcome him (Judges 16:6-16). To Delilah and the Philistines, there appeared to be a magical source behind his strength. But as readers we know that God is his strength! He was only strong because the presence and provision of God. Three times Delilah asked, and Samson replied with something false. In each of his answers, we see the repetition of the phrase "become weak and become like any other man" (c.f. Judges 16: 7,11,13). Samson thinks about himself as someone unlike other men.
Delilah fails in her first three attempts but in her fourth try, her words seem to have an effect on Samson. She accuses him of mocking her, and not having his heart with her (Judges 16:15). She doesn't give up, and "pressed him hard with her words day after day and urged him", until "his soul was vexed to death" (Judges 16:16). In return, Samson "told her all his heart" (Judges 16:17a). This section from verses 15 to 18 repeatedly draws attention to the heart and this is important and intentional. The Bible is not just talking about information transfer between two parties, but is talking about the trust and confidence that Samson puts into Delilah. He ignores the fact that she is a Philistine and has tried repeatedly to overpower him. Samson did not heed the command in Prov 4:23 to" keep his heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life".
After baring his heart to her, Samson proceeds to fall asleep "on her knees" (Judges 16:19). He is not fearful or anxious and could fall asleep peacefully in her presence. This is a picture of utmost trust and Samson's god is effectively Delilah now.
Delilah has someone shave off his locks, and then began to torment him. Samson awoke and initially thought that he could "go out as at other times and shake (himself) free" (Judges 16:20). This is, after all, the fourth time this had happened, and he was clearly brimming with confidence. Unfortunately, he did not know that unlike the previous times, times time, "the Lord had left him" (Judges 16:20b). We see here how success can lull us into a false sense of confidence in the self. Samson has surpassing confidence in himself and he has used his strength and power to escape from tricky situations thus far. He thinks that he is unlike other man. In the same way, it is so easy for us to think like Samson does and create exemptions to the rules for ourselves.
Thus, this time, Samson is taken captive (Judges 16:21). He is seized as he no longer has the strength to resist. The Philistines gouge out his eyes, a tragedy especially for one who did everything that he pleased and according to what was right in his eyes. The Philistines also brought him to Gaza, and bound him with bronze shackles. Samson was made to ground at the mill in prison. He had lost everything -- his strength, family, confidence, and sight. Samson was a shadow of his former self. Yet, verse 22 sneaks in something for us that hints that this story is not over -- "the hair of his head begin to grow again after it had been shaved". We know that his power did not lie his hair, but because God was with him and this hints at how God was still using Samson in this narrative.
(C) Samson’s death: repentance, grace and an imperfect victory (Judges 16: 23-31)
The lords of the Philistines gather to celebrate the victory of their god, Dagon, over Yahweh and his champion, Samson (Judges 16:23). It is at this joyous occasion that they called for Samson to be brought out for their entertainment (Judges 16:24-25a).
Samson leans again the pillars of the house (Judges 16:27) and proceeds to pray. This prayer in Judges 16 is vastly different from the one he utters in Judges 15. In Judges 15:18, he did not refer to God and even demanded that God provide water to quench his thirst. However here, Samson address the "Lord God" and sought His help just this one last time. This is a completely humble prayer of a man that sees his dependence on God.
Samson prays that God grant him strength and leans with his weight on the pillars, causing the house to fall upon all who were there (Judges 16:28-30). Samson dies with the Philistines, and kills more in his death than in his life (Judges 16:30).
What did God achieve in Samson’s life and death for Israel? Through this, it was seen that the God of Israel is greater and more powerful than Dagon. This also dealt a blow to the Philistines, for this is the last time that the Philistines are mentioned in the book of Judges. They are not a threat to Israel until 1 Samuel. The deliverance promised to Israel and told to Manoah and his wife came true.
But the book of Judges does not end here. Judges 17-19 show how there are still problems in Israel. While an external threat had been dealt with in the death of Samson, readers of the Bible are meant to see how there is a deeper internal problem plaguing Israel that their judges and saviors are unable to address. The Bible never claims that our problems are outside of us, but continues to show us how God's people ultimately need to be saved from themselves, namely, their own hearts.
Samson was not the true savior that Israel needed. Years later, another baby came as promised to his parents. He grew up obeying God and he lived in the public eye, ministering and teaching wherever he went. Like Samson, his conflict with the leaders escalated, and one day, he is betrayed by someone he loves. He is seized, humiliated, and ridiculed and pays with his life. He also achieves more in his death than in his life because this Savior dealt with our greatest problem -- sin. Samson's story is not meant to be an example of how to live a good, moral life. In fact, it even cautions us about building our lives on our achievements and being blinded by our pride. Rather, Samson points us to a better Savior who came to deliver not only Israel, but all mankind. What is God saying to you today?