Judges 13: Birth Announcements

How often in scripture do we see a holy figure announcing the glad tidings of an imminent birth?

While not an official count, I am aware of seeing it with Abraham and Sarah, the prophet Isaiah foreseeing the birth of Immanuel and Mahershalalhashbaz (say that three times fast!), Gabriel with Zechariah informing him of John the Baptist's birth, Gabriel (again) with Mary, Joseph's dream of Jesus, and now here in Judges 13 with an angel whose name is "too wonderful" with Manoah and his wife announcing the birth of Samson.

God must love to send the delivery of good news!  After all, so often He has to lower the boom and share bad news.  The birth announcements are a time of joy and rejoicing.

In Samson's case, the angel reveals that he will be a special child in special circumstances.  He will begin to deliver Israel from the Philistines.  He is to be a Nazirite - no razor upon his head, nothing from the grapevine, and (presumably) no touching of dead bodies.  Samson will indeed be used by God in His plan of salvation for Israel.  He will be kept outwardly pure and holy - although the character of Samson may surprise you...