How does Delilah's question in Judges 16:6 reveal her intentions towards Samson? Setting the Scene in the Valley of Sorek • Samson has repeatedly toyed with danger, ignoring God’s call for separation (Judges 13:5). • The Philistine rulers have approached Delilah with a huge bribe: “Coax him, and see where his great strength lies, and how we can overpower him” (Judges 16:5). • Against that backdrop, Delilah turns to Samson with her probing request. Delilah’s Exact Words “Please tell me the source of your great strength and how you can be bound and subdued.” (Judges 16:6) What Her Question Reveals 1. Alignment with the Enemy • She repeats the Philistine agenda almost word-for-word. • Her aim is not Samson’s welfare but his capture. 2. Intent to Betray, Not to Love • Asking for the method to “bind” and “subdue” signals treachery, not affection (cf. Psalm 41:9). 3. Manipulation Cloaked in Politeness • The soft “please” masks a lethal purpose—echoing Proverbs 7:21, “With persuasive words she led him astray.” 4. Focus on Weakness Rather Than Strength • Instead of celebrating God-given power, she wants to locate the precise point of vulnerability (cf. Proverbs 5:3-11). 5. A Greedy Heart • Her question serves the promise of eleven hundred pieces of silver from each Philistine lord (Judges 16:5); like Balaam, she loves “the wages of wickedness” (2 Peter 2:15). 6. Willingness to Sell a Relationship • She treats covenantal intimacy lightly, mirroring Esau who sold his birthright for a bowl of stew (Genesis 25:34). Spiritual Takeaways for Today • Sinful alliances dull discernment; Samson lets an enemy probe his soul (1 Corinthians 15:33). • Flattering words can hide destructive intent; believers are called to “test the spirits” (1 John 4:1). • Greed and betrayal often travel together; “the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil” (1 Timothy 6:10). • Compromise begins with conversation; shutting the door to temptation early preserves strength for God’s service (Romans 13:14). |
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