Judges 16: Samson's End

After seeing Samson's poor track record with women, it is no surprise that his undoing came through the treachery of a woman.

Delilah proved to be stronger than Samson's strength.  When she was bribed by the Philistines to find out the secret to Samson's strength so that he could be subdued, she eagerly set about the task of betraying him.  Samson, for his part, had fallen in love with her (vs. 4).  Perhaps that is why he acted so foolishly.

Three times she tried to coax him into giving her the secret to his strength.  Shrewdly, Samson gave multiple deceitful answers: if he were bound with seven fresh bowstrings (vs. 7), then new ropes (vs. 11), then his hair woven into a web and made tight with a pin (vs. 13).  Each time, Delilah tried out the tactic on Samson, only to discover that he had been lying to her.

She then unleashed a barrage of emotional blackmail upon him.  She accused him of not truly loving her and of mocking her.  I love verse 16: "Finally, after she had nagged him with her words day after day, and pestered him, he was tired to death."  She finally wore the great man of strength down.  He confessed his real secret to her - that his strength lay in his unshaven hair.

Delilah finally had her answer, and she quickly betrayed Samson into the hands of the Philistines.  She had him shaved while he was asleep on her lap (How could he not have seen this coming?).  When he awoke to her standard cry of, "The Philistines are upon you!" Samson awoke and struggled to free himself.  But he couldn't because his strength - and the Lord - had left him.

The Philistines had a field day with the defeated champion of Israel.  They gouged out Samson's eyes and put him in prison to work the mill.  But they neglected to keep shaving him.  His hair began growing back.

Samson had his final revenge upon the Philistines when they brought him out to their sacrifice in honor of their god Dagon to "perform" for them.  Exulting in their victory, they humiliated Samson.  Samson, however, prayed to the Lord for one final return of his strength so that he could repay the Philistine for his eyes.  God granted his request, and Samson brought down the pillars of the great house, killing the 3000 that were there.  Thus he killed more at his death than he had in his life (vs. 30).

Through his struggle, Samson the judge helped pave the way for the eventual freedom of the Israelites from the oppression of the Philistines.