Topical Bible: Israel: Under the Judges: Led by Samson for Twenty Years

◄ Israel: Under the Judges: Led by Samson for Twenty Years ►

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During the period of the Judges, Israel experienced cycles of sin, oppression, repentance, and deliverance. One of the most notable judges during this era was Samson, whose leadership spanned twenty years. His account is primarily recorded in the Book of Judges, chapters 13 to 16.

Background and Birth

Samson's birth was miraculous, as his mother was initially barren. An angel of the LORD appeared to her, announcing that she would conceive a son who would begin to deliver Israel from the Philistines. The angel instructed that the child be a Nazirite from birth, meaning he was to abstain from wine, avoid contact with the dead, and never cut his hair (Judges 13:3-5). This vow set Samson apart for God's service.

Samson's Strength and Feats

Samson's life was marked by extraordinary physical strength, which he used to combat the Philistines, Israel's oppressors at the time. His feats included tearing a lion apart with his bare hands (Judges 14:5-6), striking down thirty Philistines to settle a wager (Judges 14:19), and famously slaying a thousand Philistines with the jawbone of a donkey (Judges 15:15).

Personal Weaknesses and Failings

Despite his physical prowess, Samson's life was also characterized by personal weaknesses, particularly his susceptibility to temptation and his relationships with Philistine women. His marriage to a Philistine woman from Timnah and his subsequent entanglement with Delilah are notable examples. Delilah's betrayal led to Samson's downfall, as she coaxed him into revealing the secret of his strength—his uncut hair. Once his hair was cut, the LORD's strength departed from him, and he was captured by the Philistines (Judges 16:17-21).

Final Act and Death

In captivity, Samson's hair began to grow back, symbolizing the potential for renewed strength. During a Philistine celebration in the temple of Dagon, Samson was brought out to entertain the crowd. In a final act of faith and repentance, he prayed to the LORD for strength one last time. God granted his request, and Samson pushed down the pillars of the temple, killing himself and about three thousand Philistines (Judges 16:28-30). This act fulfilled the angel's prophecy that he would begin to deliver Israel from the Philistines.

Legacy

Samson's tenure as a judge was marked by both triumph and tragedy. His life serves as a testament to the power of God working through flawed individuals. Despite his personal failings, Samson is remembered in the New Testament as a man of faith (Hebrews 11:32). His account underscores the themes of divine sovereignty, human weakness, and the possibility of redemption.

Nave's Topical Index

Judges 15:20
And he judged Israel in the days of the Philistines twenty years.
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Judges 13:1
And the children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the LORD; and the LORD delivered them into the hand of the Philistines forty years.
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Judges 14:1
And Samson went down to Timnath, and saw a woman in Timnath of the daughters of the Philistines.
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Judges 15:1
But it came to pass within a while after, in the time of wheat harvest, that Samson visited his wife with a kid; and he said, I will go in to my wife into the chamber. But her father would not suffer him to go in.
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Judges 16:1
Then went Samson to Gaza, and saw there an harlot, and went in to her.
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Library

Samson the Strong.
... people, and they set up a stone under an oak ... Israel was ruled by wise men called
judges, who helped ... So died Samson who judged Israel twenty years, yet a woman ...
/.../lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter xv samson the strong.htm

The Jewish Institutions and Laws of Far Higher Antiquity than the ...
... And after him, the people having again transgressed, came under the power ... who was
the first that bore regal sway over Israel after the judges; the whole ...
/.../the stromata or miscellanies/chapter xxi the jewish institutions and.htm

The Historical Books.
... some sort an appendix to the book of Judges, though probably ... forsake her own country
and kindred to trust under the wings of the Lord God of Israel (ch.2 ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xx the historical books.htm

The Antiquities of the Jews
... King Of Syria And Pekah King Of Israel, Made War; And ... And The Slaughter Of The Magi
But Under The Reign ... Accused His Sons Before An Assembly Of Judges At Berytus ...
//christianbookshelf.org/josephus/the antiquities of the jews/

Demonstration xxi. --Of Persecution.
... spake not and gave no answer to the judges who judged ... and over Jesus did the daughters
of Israel weep and ... as for Jesus, His enemies shall be put under His feet ...
/.../aphrahat/aphrahat select demonstrations/demonstration xxi of persecution.htm

Scriptural Poems; Being Several Portions of Scripture Digested ...
... doth me grieve Exceedingly, even for your sakes, that I Do under this so ... JUDGES,
CHAP ... And in the days the Philistines bore sway, Israel for twenty years did him ...
/.../scriptural poems being several portions.htm

Faustus Denies that the Prophets Predicted Christ. Augustin Proves ...
... He will see Jesus leading the people into the land of promise; for this name was
given to the leader of Israel, not at ... And under both the judges and the ...
/.../faustus denies that the prophets.htm

Hearken and Look; Or, Encouragement for Believers
... times in the era of the Judges but days ... Jephthah, or Samson came boldly forward and
delivered Israel. ... brethren, from every desire to come under obligations to ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 27 1881/hearken and look or encouragement.htm

The Annunciation of St. John the Baptist
... 656] or of Manoah and his wife, [657] under somewhat similar ... been violently and
improperly extruded from the congregation of Israel, and vice ... [657] Judges 13 2 ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter iii the annunciation of.htm

Letter cviii. To Eustochium.
... precept, "Keep silence and hearken, O Israel." [2995] The ... the old and new testaments
[2996] under my guidance ... in the procession, and yet others led the singing ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter cviii to eustochium.htm