Topical Bible: Conspiracy: Delilah, Against Samson

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The account of Delilah's conspiracy against Samson is a significant narrative found in the Book of Judges, specifically in Judges 16. This account highlights themes of betrayal, the consequences of disobedience, and the vulnerability of even the strongest individuals when they stray from God's commandments.

Background

Samson, a Nazirite from birth, was endowed with extraordinary strength by God to deliver Israel from the Philistines. His strength was contingent upon his adherence to the Nazirite vow, which included abstaining from cutting his hair. Despite his divine calling, Samson's life was marked by personal weaknesses, particularly his susceptibility to the charms of Philistine women.

The Conspiracy

Delilah, a woman from the Valley of Sorek, becomes the central figure in the conspiracy against Samson. The Philistine rulers, seeking to subdue Samson, approach Delilah with a proposition. They offer her a substantial sum of money to discover the secret of Samson's strength so they might overpower him. Judges 16:5 records their words: "Entice him, and find out the source of his great strength and how we can overpower him, so we may tie him up and subdue him. Then each of us will give you eleven hundred shekels of silver."

Delilah's motivations appear to be driven by greed and allegiance to her Philistine kinsmen rather than any genuine affection for Samson. Her actions are a stark reminder of the dangers of placing trust in those who do not share one's commitment to God.

The Deception

Delilah's attempts to extract the secret of Samson's strength are marked by persistence and cunning. She repeatedly questions Samson, who initially deceives her with false explanations. Each time, Delilah tests these falsehoods, only to find Samson's strength undiminished. Her persistence is evident in Judges 16:15-16 : "Then she said to him, 'How can you say, "I love you," when your heart is not with me? This is the third time you have deceived me and have not told me the source of your great strength.' 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."

The Betrayal

Samson's eventual disclosure of his secret—his uncut hair as the source of his strength—marks the culmination of Delilah's conspiracy. Judges 16:19 describes the betrayal: "And having lulled him to sleep on her lap, she called a man to shave off the seven braids of his head. In this way she began to subdue him, and his strength left him."

With his hair cut, Samson's Nazirite vow is broken, and the Lord's strength departs from him. The Philistines seize him, gouge out his eyes, and imprison him, leading to his eventual demise.

Theological Implications

The conspiracy of Delilah against Samson serves as a cautionary tale about the perils of disobedience and the seductive power of sin. Samson's downfall is not merely the result of Delilah's treachery but also his own failure to remain faithful to God's commands. This narrative underscores the importance of spiritual vigilance and the need to guard one's heart against influences that lead away from God's will.

In the broader context of Scripture, the account of Samson and Delilah illustrates the recurring theme of Israel's struggle with idolatry and unfaithfulness, as well as God's enduring mercy and willingness to deliver His people despite their shortcomings.

Nave's Topical Index

Judges 16:4-21
And it came to pass afterward, that he loved a woman in the valley of Sorek, whose name was Delilah.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... One of their chiefs"Samson"had a great reputation ... deal with some of his exploits
against the Philistines ... that is before Hebron." By Delilah's treachery he ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm