The Birth of Samson was announced by the “_Angel _ of the LORD” (Judges 13:3 “And the angel of the Lord appeared unto the woman, and said unto her, Behold now, thou art barren, and bearest not: but thou shalt conceive, and bear a son.”) who appeared to a barren woman (Judges 13:2 “And there was a certain man of Zorah, of the family of the Danites, whose name was Manoah; and his wife was barren, and bare not.”). This Angel of the LORD was no other than _Jesus Christ_ (Judges 13:21-22 “But the angel of the Lord did no more appear to Manoah and to his wife. Then Manoah knew that he was an angel of the Lord. ²²And Manoah said unto his wife, We shall surely die, because we have seen God.”). Most of the time, Jesus Christ would appear to men as the Angel of the LORD during the times of the Old Testament.

This baby boy would be a _Nazarite_ unto God from the womb as announced by the Angel (Judges 13:5 “For, lo, thou shalt conceive, and bear a son; and no razor shall come on his head: for the child shall be a Nazarite unto God from the womb: and he shall begin to deliver Israel out of the hand of the Philistines.”). Notice the word “from the womb” is mentioned and it means “from birth.” The baby boy would be a Nazirite all of his life. Sometimes the word “Nazirite” is spelled “Nazarite.”

In Numbers 6:1-8, explained what is a Nazirite. In becoming a Nazirite a person would be required to _Separate_ himself unto the LORD (Numbers 6:2 “Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When either man or woman shall separate themselves to vow a vow of a Nazarite, to separate themselves unto the Lord:”) This person who is separated would be “_holy_ unto the LORD” (Numbers 6:8 “All the days of his separation he is holy unto the Lord.”). A Nazirite person had separated himself fully to God and had dedicated himself fully to the Lord. God had set apart Samson to be a Nazirite all the days of his life (Numbers 6:4 “All the days of his separation shall he eat nothing that is made of the vine tree, from the kernels even to the husk.”, although some people would become Nazirites only for a certain number of days. Now, Samson from the day of his birth, he was to be a Nazirite unto God (Judges 13:5 “For, lo, thou shalt conceive, and bear a son; and no razor shall come on his head: for the child shall be a Nazarite unto God from the womb: and he shall begin to deliver Israel out of the hand of the Philistines.”). Likewise, every believer in Christ also from the very day they are born again, they are separated unto God for all the days of their Christian lives.

How about yourself, are you separated unto the Lord? Notice how many believers live today? Should we as Christians be separated unto the Lord? ______ (II Corinthians 6:17 “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.”; II Corinthians 7:1 “Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.”). What is the meaning of separation? As a born-again Christians what are we separated from? As a born-again Christians, what and who are we separated unto? In I Thessalonians 4:1-8, the believers today are required to be holy unto the Lord, it says in I Thessalonians 4:7 “for God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto __holiness__.”

Write down the three forbidden things that Nazirite was not to do: (Numbers chapter 6)

1. ”Separate himself from _wine________ and __strong____ drink (verse 3).

2. “his separation shall he __eat__ nothing that is made of the _vine__ tree” (verse 4)

3. “his separation there shall no __razor__ come upon his _head__:” (verse 5)

II – Samson and his Long Hair

Long hair was required for a Nazirite, so Samson is famous for his long hair. The symbol of long hair are weakness and submission. The Nazirite if he has a long hair, he was like saying, "I am submitting to God and to God’s authority over me. I recognize my weakness but I also recognize God’s strength. God is my authority and God is my strength."

What is the will of God and what the words of God tells us today with regards to the length of hair?

- The hair of a woman is to be _long__ (I Corinthians 11:15 “But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering.”)

- The hair of a man is to be __short__ (I Corinthians 11:14 “Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him?“)

According to what we have said previously that long hair is a symbol of weakness and submission.

The Bible in I Peter 3:7 “Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel,“, teaches us that the long hair on a Christian wife, means she recognized that in marriage relationship she was the weaker vessel and she had to submit to her own husband and recognized his authority over her.

Jesus Christ was from the city of Nazareth; therefore, we should not forget that he was a Nazarene, but the Lord Jesus was not a Nazirite. It is clear Jesus Christ did not have long hair because he was not a Nazirite for, he was considered Jesus of Nazareth and not Jesus the Nazirite. Do not view and ever imagine that Jesus Christ has a girlish hair as artists and some music rockers, hippies often picture Jesus as having long hair.

The strength of Samson did not come from his long hair. Samson strength came from the Spirit of God. The strength of Samson was God because his long hair was just a symbol that he was weak. The long hair serves as a daily reminder that Samson’s strength was not his own strength. God gave Samson the supernatural strength, with a purpose that God used Samson as a walking miracle to display the power of God. Samson long hair would serve as a constant reminder to Samson that it is God who was the real source of his strength and might at times when Samson would be tempted to use his strength to gain honor or to help his own selfish motives.

Since Samson was considered the strongest man who ever lived, does this mean that he appeared like those today’s weightlifters? No one knows because the Bible had nothing to say regarding the size of Samson’s muscles and simply no one among us today saw Samson personally and we do not have actual pictures of Samson. Probably, Samson’s physique was not much different from the body of any another average man. As we have discussed that the strength of Samson comes from God and not due to body building program of Samson.

The Mission of Samson was the plan of God for the life of Samson. Find it in Judges 13:5 “and he shall begin to deliver Israel out of the hand of the Philistines” .

Notice the word, “begin.” What is the important thing that Samson began, that David and others would continue? We must not forget that giant Goliath was a Philistine. In spite of the weaknesses and failures in Samson’s life, he did miraculously and powerfully fulfill this mission and God’s purpose for him to deliver Israel out of the hand of the Philistines. Interestingly, the story tells us that Samson always encountered the Philistines by himself. Remember, that God never assembled any warriors. God used Samson, a one-man army.

We have to learn some important truth about whatsoever talents that we possessed. We must remember that from the very beginning, the blessing of God was bestowed upon Samson. Please complete the phrase in Judges 13:24 “And the woman bare a son, and called his name Samson: and the child grew, and the Lord _blessed__ him.”) then the Spirit of God made him what he was, as it was said in Judges 13:25 “And the Spirit of the Lord began to move him.” The point is that it does not matter whatever abilities or talents you might have, it is essential to always remind ourselves of the question in I Corinthians 4:7 “what hast thou that thou didst not receive?” Write down your answer to this question: __we received all that we have__. May we not boast ourselves and forget this very important reality. We have not to consider ourselves above others and avoid giving glory to ourselves as if we do not receive our talents, and everything from God. God has given to us important things for the purpose of His plans and mission in our lives.

IV - Samson and his weakness

Undeniably, Samson had an easy task facing, and victoriously prevails against a multitude of army. However, Samson becomes a weaker man when facing a pretty woman of him.

Study Judges 14:1-2 “And Samson went down to Timnath, and saw a woman in Timnath of the daughters of the Philistines. ²And he came up, and told his father and his mother, and said, I have seen a woman in Timnath of the daughters of the Philistines: now therefore get her for me to wife.”

Read the Scriptural guidance:

1. Warning for the chosen people in getting marriage - Deuteronomy 7:1-4 “When the Lord thy God shall bring thee into the land whither thou goest to possess it, and hath cast out many nations before thee, the Hittites, and the Girgashites, and the Amorites, and the Canaanites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, seven nations greater and mightier than thou; ²And when the Lord thy God shall deliver them before thee; thou shalt smite them, and utterly destroy them; thou shalt make no covenant with them, nor shew mercy unto them: ³Neither shalt thou make marriages with them; thy daughter thou shalt not give unto his son, nor his daughter shalt thou take unto thy son. ⁴For they will turn away thy son from following me, that they may serve other gods: so will the anger of the Lord be kindled against you, and destroy thee suddenly.”;

2. Warning for Believers to be not unequally yoked together with unbelievers - II Corinthians 6:14 “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?”

Now, based on the scriptures given above, write down what was wrong with what Samson wanted? ___Samson wanted to marry an unbelievers to be his wife__

As you read the story, did the parents of Samson see the problem with Samson wanting an uncircumcised Philistines woman to be his wife? __Yes__. Know the answer in Judges 14:3a “Then his father and his mother said unto him, Is there never a woman among the daughters of thy brethren, or among all my people, that thou goest to take a wife of the uncircumcised Philistines?.” What is the reason why Samson want this Philistine woman? Complete the answer in Judges 14:3b “And Samson said unto his father, Get her for me; for she __pleaseth__ me well.” Samson wrongly based from outer appearance primarily and not according to God's Word in choosing lifetime partner. The lust and passion are the weakness of the man Samson. That is the picture of many young people and singles as of today, they chosen what pleases themselves and not pleasing the Lord. In his own lust Samson is saying, “I must have what I want no matter what God says or what God wants, and I must have it now” What decision do you think Samson would have and why if Samson had seen this pretty Philistine woman, if Samson had been morally strong? __Samson would not have a wrong decision to marry a Philistine____ .

Interestingly, the parents of Samson did not know that this was according to whose plan? Judges 14:4 “of the _Lord_”. In spite of the lustfulness and sinfulness of Samson, God had a purpose in it all. The God who used the scheme of Jacob to bring God’s plan recorded the book of Genesis is the same God who can use the failures of Samson to bring about God’s purposes. God pursued His perfect plan against the Philistines, God wanted the Philistines to be defeated under Samson and the perfect will of God is exactly what prevails.

V - Samson and the Lion with the Riddle

Give the secret of the strength of Samson as you complete the verse in Judges 14:6 “And the __Spirit__ of the __Lord___ came mightily upon him,”). Give also the weapon that Samson use against the lion according to that verse Judge 14:6 “and he had __nothing__ in his hand:”

The lion that he had been rent and the honey that he had taken out of the carcass of the lion was used by Samson (verse 14) to offer a wager or riddle within seven days to the 30 Philistine men who had come to the wedding feast according to Judges 14:12-13 “And Samson said unto them, I will now put forth a riddle unto you: if ye can certainly declare it me within the seven days of the feast, and find it out, then I will give you thirty sheets and thirty change of garments: ¹³But if ye cannot declare it me, then shall ye give me thirty sheets and thirty change of garments. And they said unto him, Put forth thy riddle, that we may hear it." And these Philistine men accept the challenge of Samson as we read in Judges 14:13 “And they said unto him, Put forth thy riddle, that we may hear it.”. But these men could not explain the riddle after 3 days (verse 14), and in order to find the answer, on the seventh day they ask the wife of Samson to persuade Samson to tell the Philistine the answer to the riddle, and if not they will kill her and burn her and her father’s house, according to Judges 14:15 “lest we __burn___ thee and thy father’s __house___ with fire:”). The Philistine men should accept they are loser on the wager and paid Samson of the debt. The wife of Samson should have told her husband of the plot of the enemies. The wife of Samson should trust her strong husband to protect her. There is nothing to fear, if she was with her strong husband Samson. As the Philistines continue threating the wife of Samson, the things turned out and the wife of Samson get burned anyway according to Judges 15:6 “Then the Philistines said, Who hath done this? And they answered, Samson, the son in law of the Timnite, because he had taken his wife, and given her to his companion. And the Philistines came up, and __burnt___ her and her __father__ with fire.”

The wife of Samson wept seven days before Samson, and Samson told her the answer to the riddle and his wife told or give away the answer to the Philistine (verse 17). Trusting not a Philistine should be a lesson Samson have to learned especially if it is a Philistine woman. However, Samson did not learn his lesson and later in his life, he would be trapped again by another Philistine woman. Samson was a strong man with serious moral weakness.

The riddle was solved by these men (verse 18), so Samson was so angry that is why Samson killed 30 men of their own people (verse 19), in that way Samson paid the debt at their people own expense. It was clear that the secret of Samson strength does not comes from his long hair but the secret of Samson’s strength is according to Judges 14:19 “the __Spirit___ of the __Lord__came upon him”.

VI – Samson and the amazing Exploitation

Samson had done more problems for the Philistines after he learned that his wife had been given to his companion (Judges 15:6). How many foxes or jackals caught by Samson? According to Judges 15:4, “Samson went and caught _three__ __hundred__ foxes” or jackals, then tied their tails together and Samson put a torch to the tails. The grain fields were greatly destroyed of Samson strategies when he lighted torches then went running off into that fields of Philistines. In the midst of this destruction, we are reminded of the fulfilling purpose of God to destroy the Philistines by using Samson. God through Samson was protecting the children of Israel out of the hand of the Philistines (Judges 13:5). The Philistines had their hands full with Samson.

Not only Samson caused more problems for the Philistines, but Samson also caused problems even for the Jewish people, his own people (Judges 15:9-12). God raised up Samson, with a purpose according to Judges 13:5 “to __deliver___ Israel out of the hand of the Philistines”, in spite of the protective hand of God for Israel, the Jews still wanted to deliver Samson into the hand of the Philistines in Judges 15:12 “And they said unto him, We are come down to __bind__ thee, that we may __deliver___ thee into the hand of the Philistines. And Samson said unto them, Swear unto me, that ye will not fall upon me yourselves.”. So, the Jews did everything to secure as best they could and bound Samson tightly and they were ready to deliver Samson to the enemy. Based from the whole story, that Samson did not do anything against his own people Israelites. The Jews bound Samson easily, for Samson was described as gentle as a lamb in Judges 15:13 “And they bound him with two new cords, and brought him up from the rock.” Samson amazingly was able to break down the cords that were upon his arms and his bands loosed from off his hands because in Judges 15:14 “the Philistines shouted against him: and the __Spirit__ of the __Lord__ came mightily upon him,”

What weapon Samson had found to use to slay many men of Philistine army? Judges 15:15 “And he found a new __jawbone__ of an ass.” How many Philistine men slain by Samson by using the jawbone method? Judges 15:15 “and slew a __thousand__ men therewith.” Amazingly, Samson was a one-man army!

After Samson killed thousand men of Philistine and throw away the jawbone out of his hand (Judges 15:16-17), now as Samson prayed, tells us something about this man in Judges 15:18 “And he was sore athirst, and called on the Lord, and said, Thou hast given this great deliverance into the hand of thy servant: and now shall I die for thirst, and fall into the hand of the uncircumcised?”

1. Samson had enough sense to cry out to God in time of need? ___Yes__.

2. Did Samson take credit to someone for the great victory in which he himself was involved? __Yes_.

Samson identified who was responsible for this great deliverance? __The Lord___.

3. Samson called himself as God’s _Servant_.

Like Samson, do you consider yourself as servant of the most God?

Like Samson do you cry out to God in time of need?

Like Samson give the credit to God for the victory that are happening in your life?

How many years Samson become judge and leader for Israel?

Judges 15:20 “And he judged Israel in the days of the Philistines _twenty__ years.”

The Bible did not give us much records about the twenty years of leadership of Samson as a judge of Israel. However, the Bible gives us the events that happened at the end of the life of Samson.

VII – Samson and a harlot Woman

Study Judges 16:1 “Then went Samson to Gaza, and saw there an harlot, and went in unto her.”

Samson had no problem after he had seen and face the entire 10,000 of Philistine army. But when How is it that Samson fell into sin when he saw one woman? It takes one attractive woman of Philistine to defeat Samson, but Samson could not be defeated by the strongest and bravest soldiers of Philistine. The lesson we learned in the life of Samson is that any man can be ruined by lust and passion. Lot of Lord’s servant fall into lustful temptation. Read and find out what the Bible tells us in I Corinthians 6:18 “__Flee__ fornication.” The point is that we are to avoid or get away from immoral person and someone who are loose like a harlot. Samson have not done the right thing to do, Samson ran right into that another woman instead of running away from temptation of the lust.

Read Judges 16:2-3 “And it was told the Gazites, saying, Samson is come hither. And they compassed him in, and laid wait for him all night in the gate of the city, and were quiet all the night, saying, In the morning, when it is day, we shall kill him. ³And Samson lay till midnight, and arose at midnight, and took the doors of the gate of the city, and the two posts, and went away with them, bar and all, and put them upon his shoulders, and carried them up to the top of an hill that is before Hebron.” Notice, the Philistines had waited all night and trapped Samson in the city of Gaza to kill Samson, but amazingly Samson took the gate of the city and the two posts and put them upon his shoulders as Samson carried it with him up to the top of a hill.

VIII – Samson and Delilah

Not long afterward, Samson fell in love with a Philistine. What is the name of the woman? In Judges 16:4 “he loved a woman…whose name was __Delilah___.” Samson was incomparable, undefeated in Physical strength, in combating any one, but amazingly was a weak, a loser in the hands of woman named Delilah. Imagine, the strongest of men was defeated by Samson who himself was defeated by a weak but clever woman.

Did Delilah love Samson? Delilah said to Samson in Judges 16:15 “How canst thou say, I love thee, when thine heart is not with me?” Notice carefully what Delilah hath said to Samson after she had conspiracy with the Philistines in Judges 16:5-6 “And the lords of the Philistines came up unto her, and said unto her, Entice him, and see wherein his great strength lieth, and by what means we may prevail against him, that we may bind him to afflict him; and we will give thee every one of us eleven hundred pieces of silver. 6 And Delilah said to Samson, Tell me, I pray thee, wherein thy great strength lieth, and wherewith thou mightest be bound to afflict thee.” Do you see a sincere heart of Delilah toward Samson? __No___. Is there a wife who truly love her husband wants to see her husband to be in the hands of the enemies who would kill her husband? ________ .

Since there were five Lords of the Philistines who advised Delilah to entice Samson to discover the secret of the strength of Samson, if complied then each Lord will give Delilah silver. How much total of silver promised to give Delilah? Judges 16:5 “And the lords of the Philistines came up unto her, and said unto her, Entice him, and see wherein his great strength lieth, and by what means we may prevail against him, that we may bind him to afflict him; and we will give thee every one of us _eleven__ _hundred__ __pieces__ of silver.” Money is weightier than Delilah's love for Samson if she has. Delilah conspiracy with the Philistines proves that Delilah the Philistine loved money more than she loved Samson!

If there are any Christians who plan and intend to marry an unsaved lost person should seriously ask themselves: “Is the heart of a person truly with the Savior Jesus Christ? In case the heart of someone is not with God, then how can the heart of that person be with me? There will be an enormous problem, if the person loves me and does not love God whom I love, and if the person loves me and does not love the Bible that I believe. Therefore, will be a great danger, destruction, sadness that I will experience inevitably in my life if I would pursue this wrong choice of a marriage as my long-time partner in life.”

Please use Judges 16:6-14 to find some answers of the following questions:

Judges 16:6-14 “And Delilah said to Samson, Tell me, I pray thee, wherein thy great strength lieth, and wherewith thou mightest be bound to afflict thee. ⁷And Samson said unto her, If they bind me with seven green withs that were never dried, then shall I be weak, and be as another man. ⁸Then the lords of the Philistines brought up to her seven green withs which had not been dried, and she bound him with them. ⁹Now there were men lying in wait, abiding with her in the chamber. And she said unto him, The Philistines be upon thee, Samson. And he brake the withs, as a thread of tow is broken when it toucheth the fire. So his strength was not known. ¹⁰And Delilah said unto Samson, Behold, thou hast mocked me, and told me lies: now tell me, I pray thee, wherewith thou mightest be bound. ¹¹And he said unto her, If they bind me fast with new ropes that never were occupied, then shall I be weak, and be as another man. ¹²Delilah therefore took new ropes, and bound him therewith, and said unto him, The Philistines be upon thee, Samson. And there were liers in wait abiding in the chamber. And he brake them from off his arms like a thread. ¹³And Delilah said unto Samson, Hitherto thou hast mocked me, and told me lies: tell me wherewith thou mightest be bound. And he said unto her, If thou weavest the seven locks of my head with the web. ¹⁴And she fastened it with the pin, and said unto him, The Philistines be upon thee, Samson. And he awaked out of his sleep, and went away with the pin of the beam, and with the web.”

1. In knowing the answer about the source of Samson’s strength, so he will be captured, how many times she tried to convince Samson to tell her? _three__ 2. Samson consistently lie and deceive Delilah to tell the secret of his strength for how many times? _two_

By Delilah’s consistent repeated inquiries:

1. Samson should begin to be suspicious of this Philistine woman.

2. Samson should have to conclude that Delilah is not kind of person to be trusted with confidence.

By Samson’s consistent not telling the secret of his strength:

1. Delilah become more persistent woman and don’t give up

2. Delilah at her best used all tricky strategies of a woman to finally get Samson to reveal the secret.

Judges 16:15-17 “And she said unto him, How canst thou say, I love thee, when thine heart is not with me? thou hast mocked me these three times, and hast not told me wherein thy great strength lieth. ¹⁶And it came to pass, when she pressed him daily with her words, and urged him, so that his soul was vexed unto death; ¹⁷That he told her all his heart, and said unto her, There hath not come a razor upon mine head; for I have been a Nazarite unto God from my mother's womb: if I be shaven, then my strength will go from me, and I shall become weak, and be like any other man.”

After Delilah persuasive effort, finally she got the secret of Samson’s strength. Use Judges 16:19-20 to find the answers on the following questions:

Judges 16:19-20 “And she made him sleep upon her knees; and she called for a man, and she caused him to shave off the seven locks of his head; and she began to afflict him, and his strength went from him. ²⁰And she said, The Philistines be upon thee, Samson. And he awoke out of his sleep, and said, I will go out as at other times before, and shake myself. And he wist not that the Lord was departed from him.”

1. Samson’s strength went from him, when his hair was cut (v.19). Is it the reason why Samson strength is not longer with him? __No__.

2. Samson’s strength is no longer with him, because “the _Lord__ was departed from him.” (v.20).

Lesson to Learn:

1. Samson’s hair was only an outward symbol that the strength of Samson only comes the Lord.

2. Samson inclination to lust and passion caused him to lost out the strength from the Lord.

3. Samson gave himself and unmatched, unmeasurable blessing of God for a short-term pleasure brought by a deceitful, unsaved, untrusted woman.

4. Samson personally learned that sin does not pay. Sin is a serious, dangerous threat to a believer’s life.

Sin of compromise is a serious and dangerous threat to a believer’s life. Personally, Samson learned sin does not pay. With all the records that Samson had beaten many times killing thousands of Philistines army, in return the Philistines made their captured prisoner victim as miserable as possible. Read Judges 16:21 and give the two things done to weaker Samson after the Philistines capture him:

Judges 16:21 “But the Philistines took him, and put out his eyes, and brought him down to Gaza, and bound him with fetters of brass; and he did grind in the prison house.”

1. __”Put out his eyes”___ .

2. __”bound him with fetters of brass”__ .

At the end of the story, it appeared Samson was the winner as God accomplished the greatest deliverance of all against the Philistines with God’s purpose in the life of Samson as Israel’s judge.

Judges 16:23-31 “Then the lords of the Philistines gathered them together for to offer a great sacrifice unto Dagon their god, and to rejoice: for they said, Our god hath delivered Samson our enemy into our hand. 24 And when the people saw him, they praised their god: for they said, Our god hath delivered into our hands our enemy, and the destroyer of our country, which slew many of us. 25 And it came to pass, when their hearts were merry, that they said, Call for Samson, that he may make us sport. And they called for Samson out of the prison house; and he made them sport: and they set him between the pillars. 26 And Samson said unto the lad that held him by the hand, Suffer me that I may feel the pillars whereupon the house standeth, that I may lean upon them. 27 Now the house was full of men and women; and all the lords of the Philistines were there; and there were upon the roof about three thousand men and women, that beheld while Samson made sport. 28 And Samson called unto the Lord, and said, O Lord God, remember me, I pray thee, and strengthen me, I pray thee, only this once, O God, that I may be at once avenged of the Philistines for my two eyes. 29 And Samson took hold of the two middle pillars upon which the house stood, and on which it was borne up, of the one with his right hand, and of the other with his left. 30 And Samson said, Let me die with the Philistines. And he bowed himself with all his might; and the house fell upon the lords, and upon all the people that were therein. So the dead which he slew at his death were more than they which he slew in his life.31 Then his brethren and all the house of his father came down, and took him, and brought him up, and buried him between Zorah and Eshtaol in the buryingplace of Manoah his father. And he judged Israel twenty years.”