How does Judges 16:5 connect to warnings against temptation in Proverbs? The Text in View “The rulers of the Philistines went to her and said, ‘Coax him and find out the source of his great strength and how we can overpower him, bind him, and subdue him. Each of us will give you eleven hundred pieces of silver.’” A Crafted Snare • A deliberate plan: the Philistine lords plot behind the scenes. • An attractive instrument: Delilah, someone Samson already desires. • A promised payoff: huge sums of silver—temptation sweetened with money. • A clear goal: strip Samson of power, bind him, and conquer him. Everything is set up to lure Samson into a place where his strength—and ultimately his calling—can be neutralized. Echoes in Proverbs: The Warning Amplified Proverbs repeatedly sketches the same trap Samson faces: • Proverbs 1:10–11 – “My son, if sinners entice you, do not yield… ‘Come with us… let us lie in wait…’” • Proverbs 5:3–5 – “The lips of an adulteress drip honey… but in the end she is bitter as wormwood.” • Proverbs 6:24–26 – Wisdom “will preserve you from the evil woman, from the smooth tongue of the seductress.” • Proverbs 7:21–23 – “With persuasive words she led him astray… like an ox going to the slaughter.” These verses describe the very ingredients found in Judges 16:5—enticement, seductive speech, hidden motives, and a deadly outcome. Key Parallels Between Judges 16:5 and Proverbs 1. Enticement through Words • Delilah must “coax” Samson. • Proverbs 7:21 – the seductress “persuades with her great persuasion.” 2. Hidden Agenda • Philistine lords scheme to “overpower” Samson. • Proverbs 1:11 – enticers plot to “lie in wait for blood.” 3. Monetary Incentive • Eleven hundred pieces of silver per ruler. • Proverbs 1:13 – “We will find all kinds of precious wealth; we will fill our houses with plunder.” 4. Loss of Strength & Life • Samson’s power, eyes, and freedom are lost (Judges 16:19–21). • Proverbs 5:11 – “At the end of your life you will groan, when your flesh and body are consumed.” Samson and the Youth of Proverbs 7: A Side-by-Side Samson " Proverbs 7 Youth — " — Already drawn to Delilah " “Lacking sense… passing through” (v.7–8) Ignores past danger signs " Ignores warnings at twilight Told three lies before truth " Listens to repeated flattering speech Yields; strength leaves " Follows “like a bird to a snare” (v.23) Ends in bondage and blindness " Ends in an arrow to the liver (v.23) What Went Wrong for Samson • He lingered where temptation was strongest. • He assumed previous escapes guaranteed future safety. • He treated his consecration lightly (Numbers 6:5). • He trusted feelings over God’s clear commands. Wisdom Take-Aways for Today • Recognize that temptation often comes packaged attractively, yet with fatal hooks. • Remember that repeated small compromises pave the way for a catastrophic fall. • Reject secrecy; hidden plans thrive in darkness (Ephesians 5:11). • Rely on God’s strength, not past victories, to stand firm each day (1 Corinthians 10:12–13). Practical Guardrails • Cultivate immediate obedience—say “no” at the first coaxing (Proverbs 1:10). • Keep transparent relationships; invite accountability before you’re isolated. • Fill the heart with Scripture so truth, not flattery, guides decisions (Psalm 119:11). • Flee settings that feed the flesh; Samson stayed, Joseph ran (Genesis 39:12). A Final Word Judges 16:5 is a living illustration of Proverbs’ sober counsel: enticing voices, tempting rewards, and secret plots all aim at spiritual downfall. Heed the wisdom God has supplied, and the snares that snared Samson will lose their hold. |
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