The Tale of Samson
Samson’s story is one of failure, redemption and the providence of God.
His parents are promised, the son for which they have long yearned
the child when born is dedicated to the Lord as a gift from a holy God
imposing on him sexual purity, no alcohol, avoidance of the dead and uncut hair
These Nazarite vows he soon forsakes, only his hair remaining uncut,
living for self he mixes with Philistines, who are Israel’s sworn enemy
As such, in the providence of the Lord, he is used to serve a holy God,
empowered by God’s Spirit with strength, he defeats his foes with ease.
He is then made Judge of Israel for several years, leading by example.
Samson continues to go his own way without acknowledging the Lord.
He fraternises with the enemy and falls in love with Delilah a Philistine girl
She is told to discover the source of his strength and give to them the word
Samson teases her with false reasons, escaping their clutches each time
Finally however he reveals his Nazarite vow to God, never to cut his hair.
his success is attributed to keeping this vow, his strength being the sign
With the cutting of his hair the Spirit departs and so too does his strength
Easily overpowered he is led away into prison his eyes being gouged out
Thus helpless and humiliated he is put to work on a treadmill grinding corn,
his vows then were renewed as his hair grew again, until he was led out.
The purpose was to humiliate him as a celebration to their god Dagon.
Samson’s final acts were to firstly pray to the Lord he had ignored
acknowledging God’s sovereignty he asked for his strength to be restored
Believing his prayer answered he then placed himself between the supports.
With a mighty push the temple fell, and he died with the Philistine hordes
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