Samson
Judges 13–16
Theme: God’s has a mission for children today—a mission to deliver people from the power of their enemy, the devil. How can we avoid being caught in Satan’s favorite trap—our associations?
Opening:“Please deliver us, Lord,” father pleaded. “Save us from our enemies,” the boy added his earnest prayer.Daily the Philistine’s oppression of God’s people grew stronger. Oh, if they could be free from the increasing torment of the Philistines! Already God had sent an answer to their prayers.
Birth of Samson
- “Angel of Jehovah” appears to the childless wife of Manoah
- message: she will have a son
- through this son, God would begin to deliver Israel
- instruction: no wine, strong drink, or unclean thing > Judges 13:4
- child to be consecrated to God
- woman tells her husband > Judges 3:6
- Manoah entreats the Lord for more instruction > Judges 13:8
- “Angel” comes again as the woman sat in the field
- she runs to get Manoah
- Manoah goes to the “Man” and asks, “Art thou the man that spakest unto the woman? > Judges 13:11
- instructions repeated > Judges 13:13
- Manoah offers to entertain the “Man”
- “Angel of the Lord”: “Though thou detain me, I will not eat of thy bread”
- Manoah places food on rock for offering
- Angel does wondrously
- flame went up > Judges 13:20
- Angel ascends in the flame
- fell on their faces
Samson’s Mission
- Q:What was Samson’s mission? > Judges 13:5 [answer: deliver Israel]
- Judges 13:25 “And the Spirit of the LORD began to move him at times.”
- Acts 5:32 “And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.”
Samson’s Early Associations
- where Samson lived
- border of the hill country overlooking the Philistine plain
- little town of Zoah
-Q: How was Satan going to try to trap Samson?
- Proverbs 13:20 “He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.”
- in youth mingles with Philistines as friends
- intimacies spring up
Samson’s Unrestrained Affections
Young Woman of Timnath
- Judges 14:1 “And Samson went down to Timnath, and saw a woman in Timnath of the daughters of the Philistines.”
- commanded parents to get her
- parents try to dissuade him from his purpose
- Q: Why did he want her so bad? To help him with his mission for God?
- “She pleaseth me well.” > Judges 14:3
- Samson bent on self-pleasing!
-Q: Was he obeying God?
- 2 Corinthians 6:15, 16 “And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.”
- marriage feast and association with those who hated God
- come degree of conforming IS the result
- Samson no longer so safe against Satan
- wife proved treacherous before wedding over
- Samson leaves her and goes home
- later returns and finds her married to another
- Samson’s revenge
- 300 foxes burn fields
- Philistines provoked to murder his wife
- Samson’s anger leads him to attach Philistines and kills many
- Samson’s seeks safe retreat in the rock Etam
- Samson’s countrymen of Judah deliver him to Philistines
- Samson breaks strong cords as if burnt flax
- grabs nearest weapon: jawbone of ass
- smote Philistines, leaving 1000 dead and rest fleeing in terror
Visit to the Harlot of Gaza
- another indulgence in “pleasing himself”
- enemies sure of prey, shut big city gates
- plan to kill Samson in morning
- Samson’s smitten conscience in middle of night
- hecarried away city gate to top of hill
Delilah
- Judges 16:4 “And it came to pass afterward, that he loved a woman in the valley of Sorek, whose name was Delilah.”
- Psalm 1:1 “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.”
- Samson degrades himself through new attachment to Delilah
- Q: Is it sometimes OK to spend time with others because we “like” them?
- Romans 13:14“But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.”
- Philistines determine to learn secret of Samson’s strength through Delilah
- he tricks her
- she complains that he doesn’t love her
- finally he tells her of his long hair
- she cuts it while he is asleep
- 1 Corinthians 15:33 “Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.”
Samson Becomes Powerless
Weak, blind, imprisoned, degraded
- suddenly awakes
- Delilah annoys as Philistines look on carefully
- his powerless arms refuse to do his bidding
- the Lord departed from him
- Philistines seize Samson > Judges 16:21
- put out his eyes
- took him to Gaza
- bound with fetters in prison
- confined to hard labor
- Afflictions lead Samson to repentance
- his hair gradually grew longer
- Philistines feel no apprehension
Mission Fulfilled
In defeat, bondage, and death
- Sport of the Philistines
- ascribed victory to their gods
- Feast in honor of Dagon, the fish god, “the protector of the sea”
- throngs of worshipers filled the vast temple
- galleries about roof crowded
- sacrifice, music, and feasting
- crowning trophy, Samson, brought in
- people shouted in exultation
- Samson, as if weary, asks to lean against 2 central pillars
- silent prayer > Judges 16:28
- with mighty arms encircles pillars
- bows himself
- Q:If we are going to fulfill our mission, we need to learn something about bowing ourselves much earlier in life than Samson. What is this “bowing himself”? Who also “bowed His head and died”? [answer: Jesus]
- Galatians 2:20 “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”
Appeal
God has a special work for you to do in saving people. Will ask God to keep you especially alert to Satan favorite trap—your friends—through which he hopes to ruin your life
Feeding His Lambs Ministries
PO Box 1275♦ Kettle Falls, WA99141♦ 509.738.2454 ♦
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