JUDGE SAMSON (2)

0. Introduction

a) The Israelites began a series of cycles of sinning, worshiping idols, being punished, crying out for help, being rescued by a judge sent from God, obeying God for a while, then falling back into idolatry. They were conquered by Syria, Moab, Canaan, Midian, Ammon, and Philistia. They even faced the threat of civil war. Just as God sent help to the people when they cried out to him, he will deliver us when we call on him.

b) Judge Samson
(Text: Judges 16:1-22; Years of judging: 20)

1. What is the text all about?

a) Samson was deceived because he wanted to believe Delilah's lies. Although he could strangle a lion, he could not smother his burning lust to see Delilah for who she really was. How can you keep your desire for love and sexual pleasure from deceiving you?

@1. You must decide what kind of a person you will love before passion takes over. Determine whether a person's character and faith in God are as desirable as his or her appearance.

@2. Because most of the time you spend with your spouse will not involve sex, your companion's personality, temperament, and commitment to solve problems must be as gratifying as his or her kisses.

@3. Be patient. The second look often reveals what is beneath the pleasant appearance and attentive touch.

b) Delilah kept asking Samson for the secret of his strength until he finally grew tired of hearing her nagging and gave in. This was the second time that Samson allowed himself to be worn down by persistent nagging (see Judges 14:17).

@1. ¹⁷ She cried the whole seven days of the feast. So on the seventh day he finally told her, because she continued to press him. She in turn explained the riddle to her people. (Judges 14:17 NIV)

c) What a pitiful excuse for disobedience. Don't allow anyone, no matter how attractive or persuasive, to talk to you into doing wrong.

d) Delilah was a deceitful woman with honey on her lips and poison in her heart. Cold and calculating, she toyed with Samson, pretending to love him while looking for personal gain. How could Samson be so foolish? Four times Delilah took advantage of him. If he didn't realize what was happening after the first or second experience, surely he should have understood the situation by the fourth time! We think Samson is foolish, but how many times do we allow ourselves to be deceived by flattery and give in to temptation and wrong belief? Avoid falling prey to deceit by asking God to help you distinguish between deception and truth.