Topical Bible: Samson: His Great Strength

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Samson, a prominent figure in the Book of Judges, is renowned for his extraordinary physical strength, which he used to deliver Israel from the oppression of the Philistines. His account is primarily found in Judges 13-16. Samson's life and exploits are emblematic of the divine empowerment bestowed upon him as a Nazirite, a vow that set him apart for God's service from birth.

Divine Origin of Strength

Samson's strength was not merely a natural attribute but a divine gift. Before his birth, an angel of the Lord appeared to his mother, declaring that her son would begin to deliver Israel from the Philistines (Judges 13:5). The angel instructed that Samson was to be a Nazirite, abstaining from wine, unclean foods, and never cutting his hair, as these were the conditions under which his strength would manifest.

Exploits of Strength

Samson's feats of strength are legendary and serve as a testament to the Spirit of the Lord working through him. One of his earliest demonstrations of power occurred when he tore a lion apart with his bare hands (Judges 14:6). This act was a precursor to his later exploits against the Philistines.

In another instance, Samson struck down thirty Philistine men in Ashkelon to settle a wager (Judges 14:19). His most famous act of strength was when he used the jawbone of a donkey to slay a thousand Philistine men (Judges 15:15). These acts were not merely displays of physical prowess but were divinely orchestrated events that furthered God's plan for Israel.

The Secret of His Strength

Samson's strength was intrinsically linked to his Nazirite vow, particularly the uncut hair, which symbolized his consecration to God. Delilah, a Philistine woman whom Samson loved, was instrumental in discovering the secret of his strength. After persistent coaxing, Samson revealed that his strength would leave him if his hair were cut (Judges 16:17).

Loss and Restoration of Strength

Delilah's betrayal led to Samson's capture by the Philistines, who cut his hair, thus nullifying his strength (Judges 16:19). However, during his captivity, Samson's hair began to grow back, symbolizing the potential for the restoration of his strength and his relationship with God.

In his final act, Samson called upon the Lord to strengthen him once more. God granted his request, and Samson brought down the temple of Dagon, killing more Philistines in his death than he had during his life (Judges 16:28-30). This act of faith and strength fulfilled his role as a judge and deliverer of Israel.

Samson's life, marked by both triumph and tragedy, underscores the theme of divine empowerment and the consequences of personal failings. His account serves as a powerful reminder of the potential for redemption and the fulfillment of God's purposes through those He chooses to empower.

Nave's Topical Index

Judges 15:7-14
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

Hebrews 11:32
And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets:
Nave's Topical Index

Library

The Death of Samson.
... pillars supporting the house; then, his great strength returning, he bows himself
with all his might; the pillars break, the house falls, and Samson, with very ...
/.../anonymous/mother stories from the old testament/the death of samson.htm

A Strong Man who Lost his Strength
... Afterward, Samson fell in love with a woman in the valley of Sorek, named ... and said,
"Find out by teasing him how it is that his strength is so great and how ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/a strong man who lost.htm

Samson the Strong.
... watching Samson while he showed his strength, for his hair had grown and his strength
was returning. At last as he was standing between two great pillars that ...
/.../lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter xv samson the strong.htm

Concerning the Fortitude of Samson, and what Mischiefs He Brought ...
... not far off, came to meet them with joy and shouting, as having done a great thing,
and gained what they desired; but Samson broke his bonds asunder ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 8 concerning the fortitude.htm

Strength Profaned and Lost
... from Samson's blind eyes, before that prayer could have come to his lips, as he
leaned on the great pillars. Clear recognition of the Source of his strength is ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/strength profaned and lost.htm

Samson Conquered
... of God, which made him mightier than thousands of his enemies. Samson appears very
early to have discovered in himself this great strength, for "the Spirit of ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/samson conquered.htm

Praying Saints of the Old Testaments
... extricate them. The great strength of Samson does not relieve him nor extricate
him out of his straits. Read what the Scriptures say: ...
/.../bounds/prayer and praying men/i praying saints of the.htm

The Story of Samson, the Strong Man
... was in prison, his hair grew long again; and with his hair his strength came back
to him; for Samson renewed his vow to the Lord. One day, a great feast was ...
/.../marshall/the wonder book of bible stories/the story of samson the.htm

Notes
... on the knees of the Blessed Virgin I said to myself: "How great is her strength! ...
She once said of Samson: 'His fair hair, which was long and thick, was ...
/.../emmerich/the dolorous passion of our lord jesus christ/notes.htm

"As Thy Days, So Shall Thy Strength Be"
... because there was a back way into Samson's heart ... is a solitary monk going before
a great council: he ... Luther placed very little reliance on his safe conduct; and ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/as thy days so shall.htm