Topical Bible: Revenge by Samson

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Introduction:
Samson, one of the most renowned judges of Israel, is a central figure in the Book of Judges. His life is marked by extraordinary feats of strength, many of which are driven by personal vendettas and acts of revenge against the Philistines, who were oppressors of Israel during his time. The narrative of Samson's revenge is a complex interplay of divine empowerment and human emotion, illustrating the consequences of personal vengeance within the broader context of God's deliverance of Israel.

Biblical Context:
The account of Samson is found in Judges 13-16. Samson was born to Manoah and his wife, who were visited by the Angel of the LORD and told that their son would begin to deliver Israel from the Philistines (Judges 13:5). As a Nazirite from birth, Samson was set apart for God's purposes, yet his life was characterized by impulsive actions and personal vendettas.

Acts of Revenge:

1. The Riddle and the Philistine Wedding (Judges 14):
Samson's first act of revenge occurs after his marriage to a Philistine woman. During the wedding feast, he poses a riddle to the Philistine guests, wagering garments as the prize. When the guests coerce his wife into revealing the answer, Samson responds with anger. "Then the Spirit of the LORD came powerfully upon him, and he went down to Ashkelon, struck down thirty of their men, took their apparel, and gave the clothes to those who had explained the riddle" (Judges 14:19). This act of vengeance sets off a chain of retaliatory actions.

2. The Foxes and the Fields (Judges 15:1-5):
After discovering that his wife was given to another man, Samson seeks revenge by capturing 300 foxes, tying their tails together with torches, and releasing them into the Philistines' grain fields. "He set the torches on fire and released the foxes into the standing grain of the Philistines, burning up the shocks and standing grain, along with the vineyards and olive groves" (Judges 15:5). This act of destruction provokes further conflict between Samson and the Philistines.

3. The Jawbone of a Donkey (Judges 15:14-17):
In retaliation for the burning of their fields, the Philistines come to Judah to capture Samson. The men of Judah bind him and deliver him to the Philistines. However, "the Spirit of the LORD came powerfully upon him, and the ropes on his arms became like charred flax, and the bindings dropped from his hands" (Judges 15:14). Samson then finds a fresh jawbone of a donkey and uses it to slay a thousand Philistine men, declaring, "With the jawbone of a donkey, I have piled them into heaps. With the jawbone of a donkey, I have slain a thousand men" (Judges 15:16).

4. The Final Act of Revenge (Judges 16:23-30):
Samson's ultimate act of revenge occurs at the end of his life. After being betrayed by Delilah and captured by the Philistines, Samson is brought to their temple to entertain them. In a final plea to God, Samson asks for strength one last time. "Then Samson called out to the LORD, 'O Lord GOD, please remember me. Strengthen me, O God, just once more, so that with one final blow I may pay back the Philistines for my two eyes'" (Judges 16:28). God grants his request, and Samson pulls down the temple pillars, killing himself and about three thousand Philistines in the process.

Theological Implications:
Samson's acts of revenge highlight the tension between human frailty and divine sovereignty. While his actions are often driven by personal motives, they also serve the larger purpose of delivering Israel from Philistine oppression. Samson's life serves as a reminder of the complexities of human nature and the ways in which God can use even flawed individuals to accomplish His purposes.

Nave's Topical Index

Judges 15:7,8
And Samson said to them, Though you have done this, yet will I be avenged of you, and after that I will cease.
Nave's Topical Index

Judges 16:28-30
And Samson called to the LORD, and said, O Lord God, remember me, I pray you, and strengthen me, I pray you, only this once, O God, that I may be at once avenged of the Philistines for my two eyes.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

At that Time Samson Ruled Over the Hebrews, the Philistines Having ...
... it. And now Samson, conscious of his recovered strength, was only waiting
for an opportunity of righteous revenge. The Philistines ...
/.../severus/life and writings of sulpitius severus /chapter xxviii at that time.htm

Samson who did to Others as they did to Him
... Then Samson said to them, "If this is the way you do, I will not stop until I have
had my revenge on you!" So he fought fiercely and killed many of them; then ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/samson who did to others.htm

Concerning the Fortitude of Samson, and what Mischiefs He Brought ...
... it one of the greatest misfortunes, if he should not be able to revenge himself
when ... with three thousand men in it, who were all slain, and Samson with them. ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 8 concerning the fortitude.htm

The Nature of Spiritual Hunger
... that his son might not remember the injuries which the Athenians had done to him,
nor revenge his blood. ... Shall I die for thirst?' says Samson (Judges 15:18). ...
/.../the beatitudes an exposition of matthew 51-12/13 the nature of spiritual.htm

Here, by Way of Objection, Several Questions are Raised. ...
... and revenge (Judges 9:20); and hence God, by complying with the execration, seems
to approve of passionate impulses. Similar fervour also seized Samson, when ...
/.../calvin/of prayer--a perpetual exercise of faith/chapter 15 here by way.htm

Vain Confidence and Self-Deception.
... He slept on pleasure's lap, and woke. Shorn of his strength Poor Samson found. ... Brought
death with his revenge at length. The wily traitor was betray'd. ...
/.../montgomery/sacred poems and hymns/hymn xxxvi vain confidence and.htm

Jesus Before Herod.
... Romans, make a disturbance on the festival day, and take the most inhuman revenge. ...
Gaza, who gave vent to their wrath by tormenting poor blind Samson; were far ...
/.../the dolorous passion of our lord jesus christ/chapter xx jesus before herod.htm

The Power of God
... God's power will bind the sinner in chains. His power serves to revenge the
wrong done to his mercy. He ... believer. It was Samson's riddle. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/6 the power of god.htm

Book 5 Footnotes
... ch.37., that Samson's prayer was heard, but that it was before this his transgression ...
as set down in Josephus, that he had abstained from just revenge, puts me ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/book 5 footnotes.htm

The Exile Continued.
... had killed Goliath, the scenes of Samson's exploits were all about him. Thither
fled to him his whole family, from fear, no doubt, of Saul's revenge falling on ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/the life of david/v the exilecontinued.htm