The Book of Judges – Samson – Christianity

Samson was an enigma. He was the one judge who wanted nothing to do with his calling. Samson was self-centered, easily provoked, vindictive, and he rebelled at every step. He was his own worst enemy. Despite this, he was God’s servant who could not help but accomplish his life’s mission. Paradoxically, his life has many comparisons to Jesus, Israel, and even humanity. What a riddle he is.

The pattern repeats.

The children of Israel again did that which was evil in Yahweh’s sight; and Yahweh delivered them into the hand of the Philistines forty years.

This time things are different. Israel doesn’t cry out for help. Perhaps, the people assumed that they were abandoned. They simply were destined to live under the yoke of the Philistines. Despite this, God is merciful. He raises up a deliverer, flawed as he may be. Samson will begin to end the Philistine oppression. God simply will not allow Israel to die.

Samson’s life begins with great promise. A heavenly messenger announced his birth (Judg 3:3–5). This puts him in rare company along with Isaac (Gen 18:10-15), John the Baptist (Luke 1:11–19), and Jesus (Luke 1:26–28). It is interesting that only in the cases of Samson and Jesus, did the heavenly messenger appear to the mom. Both of these deliverers were blessed by God:

Jesus:

The child was growing, and was becoming strong in spirit, being filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him. And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men (Luke 2:40,52).

Samson:

The woman bore a son, and named him Samson. The child grew, and Yahweh blessed him (Judg 13:24).

Both were set apart, Jesus as the Son of God (Matt 3:17), Samson as a Nazarite (Judg 13:7). Jesus was driven to the mountains to be tested by Satan (Luke 4:1). Samson was provoked by the Spirit (Judg 13:25). Jesus and Samson both possessed supernatural gifts. Jesus healed the blind, made the lame walk, drove out evil spirits, and much more. Samson had the supernatural strength to single handedly kill thirty Philistines at Ashkelon (Judg 14:19). Somehow he was able to capture three hundred foxes (or jackals), tie them together tail to tail with torches between, and burn a Philistine field of grain (Judg 15:4–5). This was not all. He was able to kill slews of Philistines using an unlikely jawbone of a donkey as a weapon (Judg 15:16). Lastly, he had the supernatural strength to pull a four-hundred pound Gazan city gate out of the ground and carry it uphill forty miles to Hebron (Judg 16:3).

There are other similarities between Samson and Jesus. In both cases, their own people handed them over to their enemies. Both were humiliated, mocked, scorned and tortured. Finally, at death both accomplished their missions. Samson started a process to free Israel from Philistine domination (Judg 16:30). Jesus conquered death and overcame the principalities and powers of this world.

Their differences dominate the similarities. The book of Hebrews is the only mention of Samson apart from the Book of Judges. Jesus ushered in the Kingdom of God which changed the world. Samson was self-centered and lived for himself. Jesus came to serve and die for others. As far as we know, Samson only prayed twice; once because he was thirsty (Judg 15:18), and again when he wanted to die (Judg 16:28). Jesus prayed continually and only did what he saw his father doing (John 5:19). Samson rebelled against his mission. Jesus embraced his.

Samson was to be a Nazarite for life, yet he ignored the requirements. Corpses were off limits, yet he ate honey from the corpse of a lion (Judg 14:9). Worse than this, he implicated his parents by giving them some of it to consume (Judg 14:9). Wine and strong drink are off limits to Nazarites, but Samson most certainly joined in with the celebration during his marriage ceremony. Ultimately, he played a weird game with Delilah over the source of his strength. When he allowed his hair to be cut, he crossed the line (Judg 16:6–21).

The flaws in Samson’s personality show up right at the start. This deliverer, set aside by God, decided to intermarry with the enemy. When his parents objected, he said:

Get her for me, for she pleases me well (Judg 14:3).

Samson always did what he considered pleasant in his own eyes. His lust for women was instrumental in his life and it inevitably led to his downfall. Consider the riddle he proposed after killing a lion with his bare hands.

Out of the eater [lion] came out food [honey].

Out of the strong [lion] came out sweetness [honey] (Judg 14:14).

With the irony:

From the strong [Samson] came desire [lust].

Out of the strong [Samson], came defeat by sweetness [Delilah].

Comparing Samson to Israel

There are many comparisons between Samson and Israel

Samson was to begin delivering Israel from the yoke of the Philistines.
Israel was chosen to be a light to the nations.
God’s Holy Spirit enabled Samson to supernaturally accomplish impossible feats.
God’s Holy Spirit supernaturally delivered Israel many times.
Samson was enticed by Philistine women.
Israel was enticed by foreign gods.
Samson behaved like a Philistine.
Israel behaved like the surrounding nations.
Samson defied his set apart status many times.
Israel defied her set apart status many times.
Samson’s defiance led to his blinding.
Israel’s defiance led to her exile.
Samson accomplished his mission to begin liberating Israel from the Philistines.
Israel accomplished her mission to bring the Messiah into the world.

Dagon

Dagon, the Philistine god, was worshipped throughout the Middle East. He was the god of grain. Samson encountered this god at several points. First, when he burned the Philistine grain fields. Dagon’s followers eventually got revenge when they gouged out Samson’s eyes. He was forced to tread grain like an animal (Judg 16:21).

Finally, Samson received his vengeance. As the Philistines were celebrating the triumph of their god Dagon over Samson and Israel, he pulled and felled the pillars of their central temple. This feat destroyed the Philistine ruling class who were in attendance (Judg 16:23–30). This reminds me of the principalities and powers of this world. They have celebrated many victories through the ages, but they are defeated foes (Col 2:13–15).

Application

The Samson episode is perhaps the most dramatic of those described in the Book of Judges. What is the author trying to tell us? He is not glorifying the violence as one might think. So, what is it? I believe it is this. God’s grace and love overcome darkness even as he works through flawed people. Despite the repeated failures of Samson, Israel, and all of humanity, God’s kingdom will ultimately prevail. As I reflect on this, the Lord’s prayer comes to mind.

Father may your name be honored.

May your kingdom come.

May your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us today what we need.

Forgive us for our wrongs, just as we forgive those who have wronged us.

Don’t let us fall into temptation but rescue us from evil.

For yours is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

Thanks for Listening

References

Barry G. Webb, The Book of Judges: New International Commentary on the Old Testament, Eerdmans (2012), 346-418.
Daniel I. Block, The New American Commentary: Judges, Ruth, B & H Publishing (1999), 391–472.
John H. Walton, Zondervan Illustrated Bible Background Commentary Judges, Ruth, 1 & 2 Samuel, Zondevanr 185–205.

Dan Harvey, author of Wrestling with Faith and Experiencing the Apocalypse, secondlooknow.com

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