Samson and Delilah
Samson & Delilah
“Sometime later, he fell in love with a woman in the valley of Sorek whose name was Delilah. The rulers of the Philistines went to her and said, “see if you can lure him into showing you the secret of his great strength and how we can overpower him so we may tie him up and subdue him. Each one of us will give you eleven hundred shekels of silver.” Judges 16: 4-5 NIV
Their story had all the drama and intrigue you would expect from a lifetime movie. Let’s start with a quick overview of our main characters. Samson was born a Nazirite, meaning he was “separated” or “set aside” for God. This meant that he was not to drink wine or fruit of the vine. He couldn’t go near or touch a dead body, human or animal, nor could he cut his hair. He was set apart for special service to God. Samson ignored his Nazirite vow of godly devotion and relied upon his own strength and abilities rather than upon God’s. Although God empowered him with supernatural strength to begin the deliverance of the people of Israel from the Philistines, however it was his weakness for the Philistine women that did him in.
Delilah lived in the Valley of Sorek, which lay on the border between the territories of the ancient Philistines and the Israelite tribe of Dan. The Philistines were always trying to understand Samson’s strength, he was just too strong, and they needed to find a way to defeat him. Seeing that Samson was catching some feelings for Delilah, the Philistine leaders saw an opportunity. They came to Delilah with an offer: “See if you can lure him into showing you the secret of his great strength and for your trouble each one of us will give you eleven hundred shekels of silver.” In today’s money, that 300.48. It was an offer she couldn’t refuse, so she went to work seeking the answers to his strength. This clearly had nothing to do with love, right? Learning the secret to his strength, when he fell in her lap, she had his hair cut, and the Philistines to bind him, gouge out his eyes, and took him away as a slave.
Despite all of Samson’s weaknesses, he did turn back to God before he died. God in His sovereignty used Samson to fulfill His purpose. Samson’s destruction of the temple of Dagon was a major factor in their downfall at Mizpah by Samuel and the children of Israel some 100 years later. Perhaps the greatest lesson we learn is that God would rather forgive than judge. More importantly, Samson let himself be used by God. You know who else he can use? You. God is willing to meet us right where we are now. I dare you to step out and see what amazing ways he can use you. Amen.
Remember friends, we are each other’s keeper and the only time we should be looking down on someone is when we are helping them up.