Topical Bible: Holy Spirit: Inspiration of Samson

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The narrative of Samson, one of the most enigmatic figures in the Book of Judges, provides a profound illustration of the Holy Spirit's role in empowering individuals for divine purposes. Samson, a Nazirite from birth, was chosen by God to begin the deliverance of Israel from the Philistines. His life, marked by extraordinary feats of strength, is a testament to the Spirit's influence and the complexities of human obedience and divine empowerment.

The Nazirite Vow and Divine Calling

Samson's account begins with a divine announcement to his mother, who was barren, that she would bear a son dedicated to God as a Nazirite (Judges 13:3-5). This vow included abstaining from wine, avoiding contact with the dead, and not cutting his hair. The angel of the Lord declared, "He will begin the deliverance of Israel from the hand of the Philistines" (Judges 13:5). This calling set the stage for the Spirit's work in Samson's life.

The Spirit's Empowerment

The Holy Spirit's empowerment of Samson is explicitly mentioned at several key moments in his life. The first instance occurs when "the Spirit of the LORD began to stir him" while he was in Mahaneh Dan (Judges 13:25). This stirring indicates the Spirit's preparatory work, equipping Samson for the tasks ahead.

In Judges 14:6, the Spirit of the LORD comes powerfully upon Samson, enabling him to tear a lion apart with his bare hands. This act of strength is not merely a display of physical prowess but a demonstration of the Spirit's supernatural empowerment. Similarly, in Judges 14:19, the Spirit comes upon him again, allowing him to strike down thirty men of Ashkelon.

One of the most dramatic instances of the Spirit's empowerment occurs in Judges 15:14-15. As Samson is bound and delivered to the Philistines, "the Spirit of the LORD came powerfully upon him. The ropes on his arms became like charred flax, and the bindings dropped from his hands" (Judges 15:14). He then finds a fresh jawbone of a donkey and uses it to slay a thousand men. This event underscores the Spirit's role in enabling Samson to achieve what would be impossible by human strength alone.

The Complexity of Samson's Life

While the Holy Spirit empowered Samson for acts of deliverance, his life also reflects the tension between divine calling and personal failure. Despite his Nazirite vow, Samson's life was marked by impulsive actions and moral lapses, including his relationships with Philistine women, which ultimately led to his downfall. His final act of strength, however, was a redemptive moment. Blinded and humiliated, Samson prayed, "Sovereign LORD, remember me. Please, God, strengthen me just once more" (Judges 16:28). The Spirit granted his request, enabling him to bring down the temple of Dagon, killing more Philistines in his death than in his life (Judges 16:30).

Theological Implications

The account of Samson highlights the Holy Spirit's sovereign choice in empowering individuals for God's purposes, despite human frailty. It serves as a reminder of the Spirit's ability to work through imperfect vessels to accomplish divine will. Samson's life, with its triumphs and tragedies, illustrates the potential for both great achievements and profound failures when one is called and empowered by the Spirit.

Nave's Topical Index

Judges 13:25
And the Spirit of the LORD began to move him at times in the camp of Dan between Zorah and Eshtaol.
Nave's Topical Index

Judges 14:6,19
And the Spirit of the LORD came mightily on him, and he rent him as he would have rent a kid, and he had nothing in his hand: but he told not his father or his mother what he had done.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Samson Conquered
... men whose history is recorded in the pages of inspiration. ... there one of you who desires
like Samson to have ... it, and then look up to the Holy Spirit, after you ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/samson conquered.htm

"Is the Spirit of the Lord Straitened?"
... are in great trouble, turn to the Book, and pray the Holy Ghost to ... The Spirit of
God is not straitened ... There is as much inspiration in this Book as when it was ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 37 1891/is the spirit of the.htm

The Typical Significance of the Scriptures Declare their Divine ...
... that they entertain such degrading ideas of their inspiration. ... left this earth, He
sent the Holy Spirit who through ... Samson was a type of Christ"see the Book ...
/.../the divine inspiration of the bible/chapter six the typical significance.htm

The Work of God's Spirit
... from Heaven, that it was by the inspiration and guidance ... to a young man a bold spirit
and powerful ... for industry, and innocent happiness, and holy married love ...
/.../kingsley/twenty-five village sermons/sermon iv the work of.htm

Philosophy Conveys Only an Imperfect Knowledge of God.
... For to Samson power was given in his hair ... and supreme and essential, is the Holy
Spirit, which above ... virtuous men are produced through the inspiration [3485] of ...
/.../the stromata or miscellanies/chapter xvii philosophy conveys only an.htm

Exegetic.
... 2 Timothy 3:16, "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God ... from on high by the
gift of the Spirit, because of ... in the flesh shall dwell in the holy hill, he ...
//christianbookshelf.org/basil/basil letters and select works/ii exegetic.htm

Preach the Gospel
... A man who has really within him the inspiration of the Holy Ghost ... And when a man
does speak as the Spirit gives him utterance, he will feel a holy joy akin ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/preach the gospel.htm

John 7:37-38. "Let any Man Come. "
... All Scripture is given by inspiration of God; but that ... heart, by the power of the
Holy Spirit, such a ... water,""a channel through whom the Spirit has conveyed ...
/.../chapter vii john 7 37-38 let.htm

The Divine Word
... and that it was written from an inspiration to which ... The blasphemy against the Holy
Spirit, which cannot be forgiven ... with the Nazirites, as with Samson, for the ...
/.../swedenborg/spiritual life and the word of god/part fourththe divine word.htm

Christ --The Power and Wisdom of God
... like green withes before our conquering Samson, who had ... submitted to receive the
truth of inspiration as a ... the wisdom of God, by God's Holy Spirit, a thing of ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/christthe power and wisdom of.htm