Read Through the Bible in a Year 2018 Day 82: Samson

Good evening, everyone!

Today I read Judges 13-15.

And today we begin Samson's story.

And to be honest, as his story begins, he seems rather spoiled. Which I guess makes sense. His mother was barren until God visited and told her she would have a son, and she had to consecrate him to God.

Oh, and his head was never to be shaved. But more on that later.

So, Samson, despite seeming spoiled to me, was a great judge over Israel.

He defeated many Philistines. 

But first, he married a Philistine woman. And on the way to pick her up, he slew a lion, and on his way back, he found honey inside the lion (a miracle from God) and brought it back.

So, he marries his wife, but before the feasting is even over, he decides he doesn't want her. Just wait.

So, he has a riddle for her Philistine family, who are at this feast. And the bet is high. So, when they can't figure it out, they send his wife to weep and beg and get the answer from him.

And she does. He can't keep secrets from pretty, wheedling women.

So the Philistines guess the riddle and Samson loses the bet. And gets upset with his wife, and he leaves the party. But he wasn't necessarily leaving her.

So, when his wife "was given to his companion who had been his friend" (Judges 14:20), Samson gets angry and goes down to fight the Philistines who had tricked him.

And the way he does this really irritates me.

He ties a torch in between two foxes' tails and sends them into the Philistine's grain stores.

And the Philistines burned Samson's wife and her father alive.

And Samson takes revenge on the Philistines.

Now...I have to say, that the Philistines were not a nice people. At all.

However, this is part of the reason I say Samson was spoiled. He didn't get what he wanted: the Philistines tricked him in the bet, and he left in a huff.

Then he played a trick on them that burned their stores and when they retaliated (admittedly in a horrible way), he attacked them.

Now, this is the part that gets interesting.

The Philistines come up to Judah to take Samson. And the men of Judah are angry with Samson because the Philistines are "rulers over" them (Judges 15:11).

So, it is clear that Israel is in bondage to another nation. Again. And so they need rescuing. And this is where Samson's story really begins. Where it really becomes apparent why he is judge over Israel. Why he is God's chosen.

Maybe I was too harsh on him earlier, but the fox thing really got to me. So, my opinions on his personality aside, here's the rest of the story.

The Philistines come to take Samson, and the men from Judah collect him to take him to the Philistines. He makes them swear not to kill him. They agree, but bind him with two brand new ropes.

Now, for anyone who doesn't know: new ropes are really stiff and sturdy. There's not as much chance of escape.

So, the Philistines take Samson to kill him, but God's Spirit is still with Samson, and "the ropes that were on is arms were as flax that is burned with fire, and his bonds dropped from his hands. He found a fresh jawbone of a donkey, so he reached out and took it and killed a thousand men with it" (Judges 15:14-15).

A thousand men. 1,000.

With a jawbone from a donkey. Wow. Just wow.

It always amazes me when God moves. Remember the Philistines were oppressing His people.

It always astounds me too, to read about how the people in the Bible were as flawed as I am. It's comforting too, somehow.

Samson was arrogant and probably spoiled. David and his son Solomon got in trouble because they took too many wives. (Hint: Only 1 is allowed.) Moses got in trouble because he didn't treat God as holy when he should have.

Flawed people.

Just like me. Just like all of us.

God can still use us for great things.

I hope you'll join me tomorrow when I read Judges 16-18, when we learn more about Samson's weakness.