Judges 14:6

and the Spirit of the LORD came powerfully upon him, and he tore the lion apart with his bare hands as one would tear a young goat. But he did not tell his father or mother what he had done.

Study Bible

The Spirit of the LORD
This phrase signifies the divine empowerment that comes upon individuals chosen by God for a specific purpose. In Hebrew, "Ruach Yahweh" indicates a powerful, life-giving force. Throughout the Old Testament, the Spirit of the LORD is seen as the source of strength, wisdom, and courage. In the context of Judges, it often comes upon the judges to enable them to deliver Israel from its enemies. This divine empowerment is not a permanent indwelling as seen in the New Testament but a temporary anointing for a specific task.

came powerfully upon him
The Hebrew word used here is "tsalach," which means to rush upon or to prosper. This indicates a sudden and overwhelming empowerment. Samson, like other judges, experiences this divine surge of strength, enabling him to perform feats beyond human capability. This phrase underscores the supernatural nature of Samson's strength, emphasizing that it is not of his own doing but a gift from God for the deliverance of His people.

so that he tore the lion apart
The act of tearing the lion apart is a demonstration of the extraordinary strength given to Samson by the Spirit of the LORD. Lions were symbols of power and danger in the ancient Near East, and defeating one barehanded would have been seen as an incredible feat. This act foreshadows Samson's role as a deliverer of Israel, capable of overcoming formidable foes through divine empowerment.

with his bare hands
This detail highlights the miraculous nature of the event. In the ancient world, lions were hunted with weapons, and to kill one with bare hands would be unthinkable. This emphasizes the extent of the Spirit's power upon Samson, making him capable of what would otherwise be impossible. It serves as a reminder that God equips His chosen servants with whatever is necessary to accomplish His purposes.

as he might have torn a young goat
This comparison to tearing a young goat, a much less formidable creature, serves to underscore the ease with which Samson defeated the lion. It illustrates the complete and overwhelming nature of the Spirit's empowerment. In the cultural context, this simile would have been understood as a demonstration of effortless strength, further highlighting the miraculous nature of Samson's victory.

But he did not tell his father or mother what he had done
This secrecy may reflect Samson's complex character and the beginning of his pattern of acting independently and impulsively. It also sets the stage for future events in the narrative, where his actions and their consequences unfold in unexpected ways. The omission of sharing this miraculous event with his parents could indicate a personal struggle or a foreshadowing of his eventual downfall due to his lack of accountability and transparency.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Samson
A judge of Israel known for his extraordinary strength, which was a gift from God. His life is a series of divine interventions and personal failures.

2. The Spirit of the LORD
Represents God's empowering presence, which comes upon individuals to enable them to accomplish His purposes.

3. The Lion
A symbol of danger and challenge, representing obstacles that Samson faces in his life.

4. Timnah
A Philistine town where Samson encounters the lion, highlighting the tension between Israel and the Philistines.

5. Samson's Parents
They are unaware of the divine empowerment and the miraculous event, symbolizing a lack of understanding of God's work in Samson's life.

Teaching Points

Divine Empowerment
God's Spirit empowers us to overcome challenges beyond our natural abilities.

Hidden Victories
Not all victories need to be shared; some are personal and between us and God.

Facing Challenges
Like Samson, we will face "lions" in our lives, but with God's help, we can overcome them.

God's Purpose
Even when we don't understand, God is working through us for His purposes.

Spiritual Strength
True strength comes from reliance on God's Spirit, not our own abilities.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does the empowerment of the Spirit in Samson's life compare to the empowerment of the Holy Spirit in the New Testament believers?

2. What are some "lions" or challenges in your life that you need God's strength to overcome?

3. Why do you think Samson chose not to tell his parents about the lion? How does this relate to the concept of humility in our spiritual victories?

4. How can we discern when God is calling us to act in His strength rather than our own?

5. In what ways can we ensure that we are open to the Spirit's empowerment in our daily lives, similar to Samson's experience?

Connections to Other Scriptures

1 Samuel 16:13
The Spirit of the LORD coming upon David, similar to Samson, showing God's empowerment for leadership and victory.

Acts 1:8
The promise of the Holy Spirit empowering believers, drawing a parallel to the Spirit's role in enabling Samson.

Philippians 4:13
The strength given by Christ to believers, akin to the divine strength given to Samson.