*Judges 16:22-31
Blinded and imprisoned by the Philistines, Samson regains his strength and brings down a temple upon himself and his enemies in a final act of vengeance.
- Samson’s Imprisonment and Humiliation:
- The Philistines capture Samson after Delilah betrays him by cutting his hair, the source of his supernatural strength.
- They gouge out his eyes and bind him in chains, subjecting him to humiliation and mockery in their prison.
- Samson’s Prayer for Strength:
- Despite his weakened state and loss of sight, Samson calls upon the Lord, pleading for a return of his strength one last time.
- Samson’s Revenge at the Philistine Temple:
- The Philistines gather at their temple to celebrate their triumph over Samson, bringing him out to entertain them.
- Unbeknownst to them, Samson’s hair begins to grow back, symbolizing a restoration of his strength.
- Samson positions himself between two central pillars supporting the temple, asking a young servant to guide him.
- With a prayer to God, Samson summons his strength and pushes against the pillars, causing the entire temple to collapse.
- The structure crushes Samson along with the Philistine rulers and a multitude of people, resulting in his death.
- Samson’s Ultimate Victory and Legacy:
- In his death, Samson kills more Philistines than he did during his lifetime, delivering a severe blow to Israel’s oppressors.
- Despite his flaws and weaknesses, Samson’s final act of bravery and sacrifice cements his place as one of Israel’s most renowned judges.
16:22 Howbeit the hair of his head began to grow again after he was shaven.
16:23 Then the lords of the Philistines gathered them together for to offer a great sacrifice unto Dagon their god, and to rejoice: for they said, Our god hath delivered Samson our enemy into our hand.
16:24 And when the people saw him, they praised their god: for they said, Our god hath delivered into our hands our enemy, and the destroyer of our country, which slew many of us.
16:25 And it came to pass, when their hearts were merry, that they said, Call for Samson, that he may make us sport. And they called for Samson out of the prison house; and he made them sport: and they set him between the pillars.
16:26 And Samson said unto the lad that held him by the hand, Suffer me that I may feel the pillars whereupon the house standeth, that I may lean upon them.
16:27 Now the house was full of men and women; and all the lords of the Philistines were there; and there were upon the roof about three thousand men and women, that beheld while Samson made sport.
16:28 And Samson called unto the LORD, and said, O Lord God, remember me, I pray thee, and strengthen me, I pray thee, only this once, O God, that I may be at once avenged of the Philistines for my two eyes.
16:29 And Samson took hold of the two middle pillars upon which the house stood, and on which it was borne up, of the one with his right hand, and of the other with his left.
16:30 And Samson said, Let me die with the Philistines. And he bowed himself with all his might; and the house fell upon the lords, and upon all the people that were therein. So the dead which he slew at his death were more than they which he slew in his life.
16:31 Then his brethren and all the house of his father came down, and took him, and brought him up, and buried him between Zorah and Eshtaol in the buryingplace of Manoah his father. And he judged Israel twenty years.