Topical Bible: Answers To Prayer: Samson

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Topical Encyclopedia

Samson, a judge of Israel, is a prominent biblical figure whose life is marked by extraordinary feats of strength and moments of divine intervention in response to his prayers. His account is primarily found in the Book of Judges, chapters 13 to 16. Samson's life illustrates the power of prayer and God's willingness to answer, even amidst human frailty and failure.

Birth and Nazirite Vow

Samson's life begins with a divine promise. His mother, previously barren, receives a visitation from the Angel of the LORD, who announces that she will bear a son. This child is to be a Nazirite from birth, dedicated to God, and he will begin to deliver Israel from the Philistines (Judges 13:3-5). The birth of Samson itself is an answer to the prayers of his parents, who longed for a child and deliverance for their people.

Prayer for Water

One of the most notable instances of answered prayer in Samson's life occurs after his victory over the Philistines at Lehi. Exhausted and on the brink of death from thirst, Samson cries out to the LORD: "You have given Your servant this great victory. Must I now die of thirst and fall into the hands of the uncircumcised?" (Judges 15:18). In response, God miraculously provides water from a hollow place in Lehi, reviving Samson's spirit and strength. This event underscores God's provision and care for His chosen servant, even in dire circumstances.

Final Prayer and Victory

Samson's final prayer is perhaps the most poignant and powerful. After being betrayed by Delilah and captured by the Philistines, Samson is blinded and humiliated. During a Philistine celebration in the temple of Dagon, Samson is brought out to entertain the crowd. In this moment of desperation, Samson prays to the LORD: "O Lord GOD, please remember me. Strengthen me, O God, just once more, so that with one act of vengeance I may pay back the Philistines for my two eyes" (Judges 16:28). God answers Samson's prayer, granting him the strength to collapse the temple, killing more Philistines in his death than he had during his life (Judges 16:30).

Significance

Samson's prayers and the divine responses he receives highlight several key themes in the biblical narrative. They demonstrate God's faithfulness to His covenant people, His willingness to hear and respond to the cries of His servants, and His power to work through flawed individuals to accomplish His purposes. Despite Samson's personal failings, his life serves as a testament to the efficacy of prayer and the sovereignty of God in delivering His people.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Judges 15:18,19
And he was sore thirsty, and called on the LORD, and said, You have given this great deliverance into the hand of your servant: and now shall I die for thirst, and fall into the hand of the uncircumcised?
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

A Poor Man's Cry, and what came of It
... The Lord heard Samson when he was ready to die of thirst. ... I agree with him. Still
I will try it. You that have had answers to prayer say, "Ay (The response ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 37 1891/a poor mans cry and.htm

Bear up the Hands that Hang Down, by Faith and Prayer...
... pray, and hear no voice, but stay till God answers. ... of Gideon, and of Barak, and
of Samson, and of ... Prayer puts God in the matter with commanding force: "Ask of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bounds/purpose in prayer/chapter ix bear up the.htm

Prayer and Faith (Continued)
... to tell of Gideon and Barak, and of Samson, and of ... and best of all, faith thrives
in an atmosphere of prayer. ... to God so that He hears me and answers my prayers ...
/.../bounds/the necessity of prayer/ii prayer and faith continued.htm

Triumphant Prayer
... not spend time by taking into consideration answers that other ... art in the midst of
us'"not a Samson shorn of ... the precursor of the gift, and the prayer is the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/triumphant prayer.htm

Book ii. Jerome Answers the Second, Third, and Fourth Propositions ...
... Jerome answers the second, third, and fourth propositions of ... The case is different
if this prayer belongs to the ... also hath put away thy sin." Samson and Samuel ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/book ii jerome answers the.htm

Of Prayer --A Perpetual Exercise of Faith. The Daily Benefits ...
... Answers. ... And David says, "Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and ... Similar
fervor also seized Samson, when he prayed, "Strengthen me, I pray thee ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 20 of prayera perpetual.htm

Christ's Priestly Office
... Christ is our mercyseat, from which God gives answers of peace to us ... Out of the dead
lion Samson had honey ... John 17:7. The efficacy of Christ's prayer reaches no ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/4 christs priestly office.htm

His Schools and Schoolmasters.
... in her heart, in the belief and prayer that her ... a time, or, as in the case of Samson,
Samuel, and ... man who receives a flagrant insult, and answers quietly; the ...
/.../meyer/john the baptist/iii his schools and schoolmasters.htm

One Lion Two Lions no Lion at All
... is more than he can face: it is a lion, and he is neither Samson, nor David ... Our God
hears and answers prayer; why not cry to the strong One for deliverance? ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/sermons on proverbs/one lion two lions no.htm

"As Thy Days, So Shall Thy Strength Be"
... How often do we find out our weakness when God answers our prayers! ... 'I answer prayer
for grace ... of Dr. Watts, after all, where he tells us that Samson was very ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/as thy days so shall.htm