Then she called out, "Samson, the Philistines are here!" When Samson awoke from his sleep, he thought, "I will escape as I did before and shake myself free." But he did not know that the LORD had departed from him. Then she called out, “Samson, the Philistines are here!”Delilah revealed her settled betrayal by alerting the Philistine men waiting nearby. Having accepted payment from the five Philistine rulers, she had repeatedly tested Samson’s claims about his strength until he disclosed the truth concerning his Nazirite consecration. Her cry marked the moment when private sin and compromised affection brought Samson directly into the hands of Israel’s enemies. 1Sa 4:6-7 On hearing the noise of the shout, the Philistines asked,…
1Sa 17:8-11 And Goliath stood and shouted to the ranks of Israel,…
2Sa 5:19 So David inquired of the LORD, “Should I go up…
When Samson awoke from his sleep, Samson’s physical sleep reflected the spiritual carelessness that had developed through repeated disregard for God’s calling. Set apart as a Nazirite from birth, he had treated the privileges of his consecration as though they could be separated from obedience to the God who gave them. Mrk 4:38 But Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on the cushion.…
Act 12:7 Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone…
Psa 3:5 I lie down and sleep; I wake again, for the LORD sustains…
he thought, “I will escape as I did before and shake myself free.” Samson expected another effortless deliverance because God had empowered him on earlier occasions against the Philistines. He had come to trust his own strength and past victories rather than humbly depend on the Lord. Presumption replaced watchfulness, and he did not grasp the cost of surrendering the sign of his God-given dedication. 1Co 10:12 So the one who thinks he is standing firm……
Pro 28:26 He who trusts in himself is a fool, but one who walks…
Pro 16:18 Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit…
But he did not know that the LORD had departed from him. The Lord withdrew the empowering presence Samson had repeatedly abused. Samson’s tragedy was not merely the loss of physical strength but his blindness to the loss of fellowship and divine protection. Israel’s judge had become powerless before the enemy because he had forsaken the consecration entrusted to him. Yet God’s purposes for Samson were not finished, and his final deliverance would display God’s mercy and judgment against the Philistines. 1Sa 28:16 “Why do you consult me,” asked Samuel, “since the LORD”…
1Sa 16:14 Now the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, …
Hos 9:12 Even if they raise their children, I will bereave them.…
Persons / Places / Events 1. SamsonA judge of Israel known for his supernatural strength, which was a gift from God tied to his Nazirite vow. 2. DelilahA Philistine woman who was used by the Philistine rulers to discover the secret of Samson's strength. 3. PhilistinesA group of people who were enemies of Israel and sought to capture and subdue Samson. 4. Nazirite VowA special vow taken to set oneself apart for God, which included abstaining from cutting one's hair, consuming alcohol, and avoiding contact with dead bodies. 5. The LORDThe God of Israel, whose presence and power were the true source of Samson's strength. Teaching Points Dependence on GodSamson's account reminds us that our strength and abilities come from God. Without His presence, we are powerless. The Danger of ComplacencySamson assumed he could escape as before, showing how complacency can lead to spiritual downfall. The Consequences of DisobedienceSamson's disregard for his Nazirite vow and God's commands led to the loss of God's presence and his strength. The Importance of Spiritual VigilanceWe must remain vigilant in our spiritual lives, aware of the enemy's schemes and our own weaknesses. Repentance and RestorationAlthough Samson fell, his account later shows that God is merciful and can restore those who turn back to Him. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Samson's overconfidence in Judges 16:20 serve as a warning for us in our spiritual lives? 2. In what ways can we ensure that we remain dependent on God's strength rather than our own abilities? 3. How does the departure of the LORD from Samson compare to other biblical figures who experienced a similar loss of God's presence? 4. What practical steps can we take to avoid spiritual complacency and maintain vigilance in our walk with God? 5. Reflect on a time when you felt distant from God. How did you seek restoration, and what can you learn from Samson's eventual repentance? Connections to Other Scriptures Judges 13-15These chapters provide the background of Samson's life, his Nazirite vow, and his previous exploits against the Philistines. 1 Samuel 16:14This verse describes how the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, similar to how the LORD departed from Samson, highlighting the importance of God's presence. Proverbs 16:18This verse speaks about pride leading to a fall, which is relevant to Samson's overconfidence in his own strength. John 15:5Jesus teaches about the necessity of abiding in Him, as apart from Him, we can do nothing, paralleling Samson's loss of strength without God's presence. | And He Wist not that the Lord (Jehovah)Was Departed from Him | A.F. Muir | Judges 16:20 | | God's Departure from the Soul Unrecognised | W.F. Adeney | Judges 16:20 | | Samson Conquered | Charles Haddon Spurgeon | Judges 16:20 | | A Grist from the Prison Mill of Gaza | . A. Scott, D. D. | Judges 16:1-31 | | As At Other Times | J. Durran. | Judges 16:1-31 | | Blessed and Tragic Unconsciousness | A. Maclaren | Judges 16:1-31 | | How not to Pray | J. Parker, D. D. | Judges 16:1-31 | | Ignominious Tasks | R. A. Watson, M. A. | Judges 16:1-31 | | Individulalism in Religion | R. Balgarnie, D. D. | Judges 16:1-31 | | Lessons from the Life of Samson | Abp. Wm. Alexander. | Judges 16:1-31 | | Loss of Strength | W. M. Taylor, D. D. | Judges 16:1-31 | | Lost Grace Unrealised | R. Rogers. | Judges 16:1-31 | | Man's Cannot and Man's Can: a New Year's Address | Homilist | Judges 16:1-31 | | Man's Power for God's Work | Homilist | Judges 16:1-31 | | Moral Strength | Joseph Ritson. | Judges 16:1-31 | | Our Champion | | Judges 16:1-31 | | Pleasure and Peril in Gaza | R. A. Watson, M. A. | Judges 16:1-31 | | Samson Conquered | Spurgeon, Charles Haddon | Judges 16:1-31 | | Samson Shorn of His Strength | The Preacher's Monthly | Judges 16:1-31 | | Samson, the Jewish Hercules | Homilist | Judges 16:1-31 | | Shaven and Shorn, But not Beyond Hope | Spurgeon, Charles Haddon | Judges 16:1-31 | | Strength Lost | H. J. Bevis. | Judges 16:1-31 | | Strength Lost and Restored | H. J. Bevis. | Judges 16:1-31 | | The Death of Samson | G. M. Boynton. | Judges 16:1-31 | | The Evil of Knowing Evil | J. C. Coghlan, D. D. | Judges 16:1-31 | | The Fall and Rise of a Great Man | Homilist | Judges 16:1-31 | | The Giant's Locks | T. De Witt Talmage. | Judges 16:1-31 | | The Gradual and Subtle Advance of Sin | Bp. Boyd Carpenter. | Judges 16:1-31 | | The Influence of Amusements on Character and Destiny | T. De Witt Talmage. | Judges 16:1-31 | | The Man Who has Trifled Once Too Often | Dean Vaughan. | Judges 16:1-31 | | The Secret of Samson's Strength | J. Clifford, D. D. | Judges 16:1-31 | | The Victim and the Victor | E. P. Hood. | Judges 16:1-31 | | The Weakness of Strength | G. Elliott. | Judges 16:1-31 | | The Withdrawal of Divine Influences | J. Williamson. | Judges 16:1-31 | | Samson's Betrayal and Fall | A.F. Muir | Judges 16:4-21 |
People Dagon, Delilah, Gazathites, Gazites, Manoah, SamsonPlaces Eshtaol, Gaza, Hebron, Valley of Sorek, ZorahTopics Aside, Awaketh, Awaking, Awoke, Conscious, Departed, Didn't, Free, I'll, Myself, Philistines, Samson, Shake, Shaking, Sleep, WistDictionary of Bible Themes Judges 16:20 3257 Holy Spirit, gift of
8358 weakness, physical
8707 apostasy, personal
8820 self-confidence Judges 16:1-22 5155 hair Judges 16:18-20 5957 strength, spiritual Judges 16:18-21 5979 waste Library Strength Profaned and Lost
'But the Philistines took him, and put out his eyes, and brought him down to Gaza, and bound him with fetters of brass; and he did grind in the prison-house. 22, Howbeit the hair of his head began to grow again after he was shaven. 23. Then the lords of the Philistines gathered them together for to offer a great sacrifice unto Dagon their god, and to rejoice: for they said, Our god hath delivered Samson our enemy into our hand. 24. And when the people saw him, they praised their god: for they said, …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureSamson Conquered
Now, why have I narrated this story? Why should I direct your attention to Samson? For this reason. Every child of God is a consecrated man. His consecration is not typified by any outward symbol; we are not commanded to let our hair grow for ever, nor to abstain from meats or drinks. The Christian is a consecrated man, but his consecration is unseen by his fellows, except in the outward deeds which are the result thereof. And now I want to speak to you, my dear friends, as consecrated men, as Nazarites, …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 4: 1858 Whether it is Lawful to Kill Oneself?
Objection 1: It would seem lawful for a man to kill himself. For murder is a sin in so far as it is contrary to justice. But no man can do an injustice to himself, as is proved in Ethic. v, 11. Therefore no man sins by killing himself. Objection 2: Further, it is lawful, for one who exercises public authority, to kill evil-doers. Now he who exercises public authority is sometimes an evil-doer. Therefore he may lawfully kill himself. Objection 3: Further, it is lawful for a man to suffer spontaneously …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica Christian Ballads.
Echoes of Hebrew thought, if not Hebrew psalmody, may have made their way into the more serious pagan literature. At least in the more enlightened pagans there has ever revealed itself more or less the instinct of the human soul that "feels after" God. St. Paul in his address to the Athenians made a tactful as well as scholarly point to preface a missionary sermon when he cited a line from a poem of Aratus (B.C. 272) familiar, doubtless, to the majority of his hearers. Dr. Lyman Abbot has thus translated …
Theron Brown—The Story of the Hymns and Tunes Blessed and Tragic Unconsciousness
'... Moses wist not that the skin of his face shone while he talked with Him.'--EXODUS xxxiv. 29. '... And Samson wist not that the Lord had departed from him.'--JUDGES xvi. 20. The recurrence of the same phrase in two such opposite connections is very striking. Moses, fresh from the mountain of vision, where he had gazed on as much of the glory of God as was accessible to man, caught some gleam of the light which he adoringly beheld; and a strange radiance sat on his face, unseen by himself, but …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Here, by Way of Objection, Several Questions are Raised. ...
Here, by way of objection, several questions are raised. Scripture relates that God sometimes complied with certain prayers which had been dictated by minds not duly calmed or regulated. It is true, that the cause for which Jotham imprecated on the inhabitants of Shechem the disaster which afterwards befell them was well founded; but still he was inflamed with anger and revenge (Judges 9:20); and hence God, by complying with the execration, seems to approve of passionate impulses. Similar fervour …
John Calvin—Of Prayer--A Perpetual Exercise of Faith The Mountainous Country of Judea.
"What is the mountainous country of Judea? It is the king's mountain." However Judea, here and there, doth swell out much with mountains, yet its chief swelling appears in that broad back of mountains, that runs from the utmost southern cost as far as Hebron, and almost as Jerusalem itself. Which the Holy Scripture called "The hill-country of Judah," Joshua 21:11; Luke 1:39. Unless I am very much mistaken,--the maps of Adricomus, Tirinius, and others, ought to be corrected, which have feigned to …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica Sundry Sharp Reproofs
This doctrine draws up a charge against several sorts: 1 Those that think themselves good Christians, yet have not learned this art of holy mourning. Luther calls mourning a rare herb'. Men have tears to shed for other things, but have none to spare for their sins. There are many murmurers, but few mourners. Most are like the stony ground which lacked moisture' (Luke 8:6). We have many cry out of hard times, but they are not sensible of hard hearts. Hot and dry is the worst temper of the body. Sure …
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12 Effectual Calling
THE second qualification of the persons to whom this privilege in the text belongs, is, They are the called of God. All things work for good "to them who are called." Though this word called is placed in order after loving of God, yet in nature it goes before it. Love is first named, but not first wrought; we must be called of God, before we can love God. Calling is made (Rom. viii. 30) the middle link of the golden chain of salvation. It is placed between predestination and glorification; and if …
Thomas Watson—A Divine Cordial He Does Battle for the Faith; He Restores Peace among those who were at Variance; He Takes in Hand to Build a Stone Church.
57. (32). There was a certain clerk in Lismore whose life, as it is said, was good, but his faith not so. He was a man of some knowledge in his own eyes, and dared to say that in the Eucharist there is only a sacrament and not the fact[718] of the sacrament, that is, mere sanctification and not the truth of the Body. On this subject he was often addressed by Malachy in secret, but in vain; and finally he was called before a public assembly, the laity however being excluded, in order that if it were …
H. J. Lawlor—St. Bernard of Clairvaux's Life of St. Malachy of Armagh Trials of the Christian
AFFLICTION--ITS NATURE AND BENEFITS. The school of the cross is the school of light; it discovers the world's vanity, baseness, and wickedness, and lets us see more of God's mind. Out of dark afflictions comes a spiritual light. In times of affliction, we commonly meet with the sweetest experiences of the love of God. The end of affliction is the discovery of sin; and of that, to bring us to a Saviour. Doth not God ofttimes even take occasion, by the hardest of things that come upon us, to visit …
John Bunyan—The Riches of Bunyan Judges
For the understanding of the early history and religion of Israel, the book of Judges, which covers the period from the death of Joshua to the beginning of the struggle with the Philistines, is of inestimable importance; and it is very fortunate that the elements contributed by the later editors are so easily separated from the ancient stories whose moral they seek to point. That moral is most elaborately stated in ii. 6-iii. 6, which is a sort of programme or preface to iii. 7-xvi. 31, which constitutes …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Judges 16:20 NIVJudges 16:20 NLTJudges 16:20 ESVJudges 16:20 NASBJudges 16:20 KJV
Judges 16:20 Commentaries
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