Delilah is a prominent figure in the biblical narrative found in the Book of Judges, specifically in Judges 16. She is best known for her role in the account of Samson, the last of the judges of Israel, whose exploits against the Philistines are legendary. Delilah's account is a cautionary tale of betrayal and the consequences of straying from God's commandments.

Background and Context

Delilah lived in the Valley of Sorek, a region that bordered the territory of the Philistines, who were the oppressors of Israel during the time of the judges. The Philistines were a constant threat to the Israelites, and Samson was raised up by God to deliver Israel from their oppression. Samson was known for his extraordinary strength, which was a gift from God, contingent upon his Nazirite vow, which included not cutting his hair.

The Narrative of Delilah and Samson

Delilah's account is recorded in Judges 16:4-22. Samson fell in love with Delilah, and the Philistine rulers saw an opportunity to capture him through her. They approached Delilah and offered her a substantial sum of money to discover the secret of Samson's strength. Delilah agreed to their proposal, setting the stage for one of the most famous acts of betrayal in the Bible.

Delilah's attempts to uncover Samson's secret are marked by persistence and cunning. She asked Samson three times to reveal the source of his strength, and each time he deceived her with false information. However, Delilah's persistence eventually wore Samson down. Judges 16:16-17 states, "Finally, after she had pressed him daily with her words and pleaded until he was sick to death, Samson told her all that was in his heart. 'No razor has ever come upon my head,' he said, 'for I have been a Nazirite to God from my mother’s womb. If I am shaved, my strength will leave me, and I will become as weak as any other man.'"

Upon learning the truth, Delilah lulled Samson to sleep on her lap and called for a man to shave off the seven locks of his hair. With his hair gone, Samson's strength left him, and he was captured by the Philistines, who blinded him and put him to work grinding grain in prison.

Character Analysis

Delilah is often viewed as a symbol of treachery and seduction. Her actions demonstrate the destructive power of deceit and the dangers of placing trust in those who do not share one's values or faith. Delilah's willingness to betray Samson for monetary gain highlights the moral and spiritual decay present in the time of the judges, a period characterized by the repeated cycle of Israel's disobedience, oppression, repentance, and deliverance.

Theological Implications

The account of Delilah and Samson serves as a reminder of the importance of faithfulness to God and the consequences of compromising one's commitments. Samson's downfall was not solely due to Delilah's betrayal but also his own failure to adhere to his Nazirite vow and his susceptibility to temptation. The narrative underscores the need for vigilance in maintaining one's spiritual integrity and the dangers of allowing worldly desires to overshadow one's devotion to God.

Legacy

Delilah's legacy is one of caution, illustrating the perils of betrayal and the vulnerability of even the strongest individuals when they stray from God's path. Her account continues to be a powerful lesson in the importance of discernment, the consequences of sin, and the need for steadfastness in faith.Deli'lah (6 Occurrences)

Judges 16:4
After this he loved a woman in the valley of Sorek, whose name was Deli'lah.
(DBY RSV)

Judges 16:6
And Deli'lah said to Samson, "Please tell me wherein your great strength lies, and how you might be bound, that one could subdue you."
(DBY RSV)

Judges 16:10
And Deli'lah said to Samson, "Behold, you have mocked me, and told me lies; please tell me how you might be bound."
(DBY RSV)

Judges 16:12
So Deli'lah took new ropes and bound him with them, and said to him, "The Philistines are upon you, Samson!" And the men lying in wait were in an inner chamber. But he snapped the ropes off his arms like a thread.
(DBY RSV)

Judges 16:14
So while he slept, Deli'lah took the seven locks of his head and wove them into the web. And she made them tight with the pin, and said to him, "The Philistines are upon you, Samson!" But he awoke from his sleep, and pulled away the pin, the loom, and the web.
(DBY RSV)

Judges 16:18
When Deli'lah saw that he had told her all his mind, she sent and called the lords of the Philistines, saying, "Come up this once, for he has told me all his mind." Then the lords of the Philistines came up to her, and brought the money in their hands.
(DBY RSV)

Deli'lah (6 Occurrences)
Deli'lah. Delilah, Deli'lah. Delineation . Multi-Version Concordance
Deli'lah (6 Occurrences). Judges 16:4 After this he loved a ...
/d/deli'lah.htm - 8k

Delilah (7 Occurrences)

/d/delilah.htm - 10k

Loom (3 Occurrences)
... web." (See NIV). Judges 16:14 So while he slept, Deli'lah took the seven
locks of his head and wove them into the web. And she made ...
/l/loom.htm - 8k

Locks (29 Occurrences)
... of Hebron. (BBE). Judges 16:14 So while he slept, Deli'lah took the seven
locks of his head and wove them into the web. And she made ...
/l/locks.htm - 18k

Wove (4 Occurrences)
... web." (See NIV). Judges 16:14 So while he slept, Deli'lah took the seven
locks of his head and wove them into the web. And she made ...
/w/wove.htm - 7k

Tight (9 Occurrences)
... in place. (BBE). Judges 16:14 So while he slept, Deli'lah took the seven
locks of his head and wove them into the web. And she made ...
/t/tight.htm - 10k

Delineation (1 Occurrence)

/d/delineation.htm - 7k

Awoke (20 Occurrences)
... So I awoke. (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV). Judges 16:14 So while he slept,
Deli'lah took the seven locks of his head and wove them into the web. ...
/a/awoke.htm - 12k

Snapped (4 Occurrences)
... Judges 16:12 So Deli'lah took new ropes and bound him with them, and said to him,
"The Philistines are upon you, Samson!" And the men lying in wait were in an ...
/s/snapped.htm - 7k

Subdue (26 Occurrences)
... Judges 16:6 And Deli'lah said to Samson, "Please tell me wherein your great strength
lies, and how you might be bound, that one could subdue you." (DBY RSV NIV ...
/s/subdue.htm - 15k

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