Topical Bible: Children: Samson

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Introduction:
Samson is one of the most renowned figures in the Bible, known for his extraordinary strength and his role as a judge of Israel. His account is primarily found in the Book of Judges, chapters 13 to 16. Samson's life is a testament to the power of God working through an individual, despite personal flaws and failures.

Birth and Nazirite Vow:
Samson's birth was miraculous. His mother, who was barren, received a divine visitation from the Angel of the LORD, who announced that she would bear a son. This child was to be a Nazirite from birth, dedicated to God. The Angel instructed, "Now please be careful not to drink wine or strong drink, and do not eat anything unclean. For behold, you will conceive and give birth to a son. No razor shall come over his head, because the boy will be a Nazirite to God from the womb, and he will begin the deliverance of Israel from the hand of the Philistines" (Judges 13:4-5).

Samson's Strength and Feats:
Samson's life was marked by incredible feats of strength, which were manifestations of the Spirit of the LORD coming upon him. One of his earliest acts was tearing a lion apart with his bare hands (Judges 14:5-6). He later struck down thirty Philistines to settle a wager (Judges 14:19) and famously killed a thousand Philistines with the jawbone of a donkey (Judges 15:15).

Conflict with the Philistines:
Samson's life was characterized by his ongoing conflict with the Philistines, who were oppressors of Israel at the time. His marriage to a Philistine woman from Timnah was part of God's plan to confront the Philistines, as "his father and mother did not know that this was from the LORD, who was seeking an occasion to move against the Philistines" (Judges 14:4).

Delilah and Samson's Downfall:
Samson's downfall came through his relationship with Delilah, a woman from the Valley of Sorek. The Philistine rulers bribed Delilah to discover the secret of Samson's strength. After persistent coaxing, Samson revealed that his strength lay in his uncut hair, a symbol of his Nazirite vow. Delilah betrayed him, and the Philistines captured Samson, gouged out his eyes, and imprisoned him (Judges 16:4-21).

Samson's Redemption and Death:
In his final act, Samson's hair began to grow back, symbolizing the return of his strength. During a Philistine celebration in the temple of Dagon, Samson prayed to the LORD, "O Lord GOD, please remember me. Strengthen me, O God, just once more, so that with one act of vengeance I may pay back the Philistines for my two eyes" (Judges 16:28). God granted his request, and Samson pushed down the pillars of the temple, killing himself and many Philistines, thus delivering a significant blow to Israel's enemies (Judges 16:29-30).

Legacy:
Samson served as a judge of Israel for twenty years. Despite his personal failings, he is remembered as a hero of faith, as mentioned in Hebrews 11:32, where he is listed among those who "through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised." Samson's life serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty and the potential for redemption, even in the midst of human weakness.

Nave's Topical Index

Judges 13:24
And the woman bore a son, and called his name Samson: and the child grew, and the LORD blessed him.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Samson who did to Others as they did to Him
... Jehovah appeared to the woman and said to her, "See, you have no children; but now ...
the boy shall belong to God." So the woman had a son and named him Samson. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/samson who did to others.htm

Samson's Wedding Feast
... And Samson's wife wept before him, and said, Thou dost but hate me, and lovest me
not: thou hast put forth a riddle unto the children of my people, and hast ...
/.../various/select masterpieces of biblical literature/iv samsons wedding feast.htm

A Strong Man who Lost his Strength
The Children's Bible. <. ... THE OLD TESTAMENT A STRONG MAN WHO LOST HIS STRENGTH.
Afterward, Samson fell in love with a woman in the valley of Sorek ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/a strong man who lost.htm

The Children's Bible
The Children's Bible. <. The Children's Bible Henry A. Sherman. ... JEPHTHAH'S
FOOLISH PROMISE. SAMSON WHO DID TO OTHERS AS THEY DID TO HIM. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/

Samson Conquered
... and bolts upon his shoulders; and the little children come out, the lower orders
of the people come round about him, and point at him""Samson, the great hero ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/samson conquered.htm

Concerning the Fortitude of Samson, and what Mischiefs He Brought ...
... He had no children; and, being uneasy at his want of posterity, he entreated God
to ... given her; and they called the child, when he was born, Samson, which name ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 8 concerning the fortitude.htm

Footnotes:
... would pass; nor would it be any comfort to him, even for his children or friends ...
the time would fail me to tell of Gideon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/groves/christian devotedness/footnotes .htm

A Preface
... when we meet them at first, are as the lion that roared upon Samson; but if ... It is
written in the Scripture, Isaiah 38:19, The father to the children shall make ...
/.../bunyan/grace abounding to the chief of sinners/a preface.htm

A Cloud of Witnesses.
... when his end was nigh, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel ... Barak,
Samson, Jephthah; of David and Samuel and the prophets: who through faith ...
/.../the expositors bible the epistle to the hebrews/chapter xiii a cloud of.htm

The Work of God's Spirit
... all our ways, to thank Him for all, to look up lovingly and confidently to Him for
more, as His reasonable children, day by ... Who gave Samson his strength, again ...
/.../kingsley/twenty-five village sermons/sermon iv the work of.htm