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Judges 16

31 verses

TL;DR

Samson, after leaving Gaza, is betrayed by Delilah and loses his strength, but ultimately sacrifices himself to destroy the Philistine temple.

Summary

In Gaza Samson meets Delilah and is deceived into revealing the secret of his strength, the unshorn hair of his Nazarite vow. The Philistine lords lure her to bind him with green withes, ropes, and a web, but Samson breaks each. After several failures, Delilah finally persuades him to let her shave his hair. Samson loses his strength, is captured, blinded, and imprisoned. The Philistines celebrate his defeat, but Samson later climbs the pillars of their temple, prays for one last burst of strength, and brings the building down, killing thousands. He is buried between Zorah and Eshtaol, and judges Israel for twenty years. The chapter illustrates the dangers of trust, the consequences of betrayal, and the power of God's deliverance.

Outline
  1. Samson's deceit and loss of strength through Delilah's betrayal
  2. Philistines capture, torture, and celebrate Samson
  3. Samson's final act of vengeance and burial
Themes
Betrayal and trustDivine strength versus human frailtyRevenge and deliverance
Keywords
SamsonDelilahPhilistinesstrengthNazariteDagonhairbarsprisonpillars
People
SamsonDelilahManoah
Places
GazaHebronValley of SorekZorahEshtaol
Things
Samson's unshorn hairBars of the gateSeven green withesRopes and webPillars of the Philistine temple
Key Verses
  • Judges 16:17: Samson reveals his Nazarite vow and vulnerability to Delilah.
  • Judges 16:29-30: Samson's climactic act of vengeance that destroys the Philistine temple.
Questions
  • What does Samson’s relationship with Delilah reveal about trust and temptation?
  • How does the loss of Samson’s hair symbolize the loss of divine protection?
  • In what ways does Samson’s final act demonstrate both faith and the cost of vengeance?
  • What role does the Philistine celebration of Samson's defeat play in the narrative?
  • How might the themes of betrayal and deliverance apply to modern faith contexts?
Sentiment

mixed
Narrative contains both tragic betrayal and dramatic divine intervention.