Judges 16:1-31
Q.1. How did the men of Gaza set a trap to kill Samson? How seriously did Samson upset their plans? Who was Delilah to Samson? How close was his tribe to the valley of Sorek? – (Jdgs.16:1-4)
The Philistines had heard that Samson was visiting a harlot at Gaza, so they surrounded the place and laid in wait at the gate of the city (Jdgs.16:1-2). City gates were substantial structures, but Samson yanked out the huge gates and bars and carried them sixty kilometres to Hebron. To retrieve the city gates would present a big problem to these Philistines. After this, Samson fell in love with another woman named Delilah. She came from the Valley of Sorek, close by the border of Dan (Jdgs.16:4). Whether Delilah was a Danite or Philistine we are not told. But she was a harlot and could be bought.
Q.2. How worthy was Delilah of Samson’s love? Who was the real deceiver? How did Samson dishonour his Nazirite vow? How did he lose his great strength? – (Jdgs.16:4-17 c.f. Num.6:1-8)
Samson loved Delilah. However, she did not reciprocate his love. The Philistines bought her services for the huge amount of one thousand one hundred pieces of silver each from the five lords i.e. five thousand, five hundred pieces of silver (Jdgs.16:4-5 c.f. Jdgs.3:3). She pestered him day after day, and – … Enticed him to see where his great strength lay so they might overpower him and bind him to afflict him (Jdgs.16:5). Samson toyed with the secret of his strength. He knew that Delilah was laying a trap for him. Each time he escaped from his enemies (Jdgs.16:6-14). Delilah then perpetrated the ultimate betrayal, saying – … Behold, you have deceived me and told me lies; now please tell me how you may be bound (Jdgs.16:10). The deceiver charged Samson with deceiving her. She kept up her pleadings, until – his soul was provoked to death (Jdgs.16:16). Samson then revealed that his great strength was from God, as long as he remained a Nazirite and kept his hair long. (Jdgs.16:17).
Q.3. What did Delilah gain from betraying Samson? Why did Samson lose his strength? How did the Philistines treat Samson? To whom did the Philistines give credit for their victory over him? How great was Samson’s final retribution against Israel’s enemies? – (Jdgs.16:18-31)
The story has captured the imagination of endless generations. However, Delilah was one of the most wicked women ever known. She used her charms to trap Samson, in order to gain a huge reward. (Jdgs.16:18). Solomon captured the deception of a harlot perfectly, when he recorded – 21 With her many persuasions she entices him; With her flattering lips she seduces him. 22 Suddenly he follows her as an ox goes to the slaughter, or as one in fetters to the discipline of a fool, 23 Until an arrow pierces through his liver; As a bird hastens to the snare, so he does not know that it will cost him his life (Prov.7:21-23). Joseph kept well away from the edge and was elevated by God (c.f. Gen.39:6-21). Samson repeatedly tested God by getting too close to the edge – … And he awoke from his sleep and said, “I will go out as at other times and shake myself free.” But he did not know that the Lord had departed from him (Jdgs.16:20). The Philistines gouged out his eyes, put him in chains, and made him a grinder in the prison (Jdgs.16:21). They attributed their defeat of Samson to their gods and insulted the God of Israel (Jdgs.16:23-25). Later, they brought out Samson to entertain themselves at his expense (Jdgs.16:25). However, they had forgotten to keep his hair shaved. (Jdgs.16:22). A vast audience made fun of Samson. These included – … all the lords of the Philistines were there. And about 3,000 men and women were on the roof looking on while Samson was amusing them (Jdgs.16:27). Then Samson cried out to God – … O Lord God, please remember me and please strengthen me just this time, O God, that I may at once be avenged of the Philistines for my two eyes (Jdgs.16:28). He asked a servant boy to lead him to the great pillars that held up the temple. Samson then said – … Let me die with the Philistines!” And he bent with all his might so that the house fell on the lords and all the people who were in it. So the dead whom he killed at his death were more than those whom he killed in his life (Jdgs.16:30). Samson had judged Israel for twenty years (Jdgs.16:31).