He was dedicated to God to be a Nazirite - a person who is set
apart for God's service. Samson's parents took a LIFETIME vow for him. As a
Nazirite, Samson could not cut his hair, touch a dead body or drink anything
containing alcohol.
The story began with Samson who had gone to a city called Timnah.
There, his eyes had caught sight of a beautiful young PHILISTINE lady. He was
demanding! He went home and told his parents he wanted to marry the young
lady.
Notice what he said to his parents, "I have seen a Philistine
woman in Timnah; now get her for me as my wife."
In their culture, when the man wants to marry the woman, then the
parents have to go in persons and ask from the woman’s parents for their daughter’s
hand in marriage. On different note, in our Asian culture, we are taught that
if we were to talk to our parents in harsh manner, we are being disrespectful
to our parents.
Samson was stubborn and demanded his father to get her for him as
he feels she was the right one for him. Reason the parents objected because it’s
against God’s law and the Philistine were the Israelites greatest enemies - it
would be like a disgrace to the family name.
His parents were patient. They even asked him to find an
acceptable woman in their own Israelites community.
However, everything happens for a reason.
Even the event of the young Philistine lady that caught the
attention of Samson and his heart yearns to marry her.
In the imprints of the Bible, it is written that this occasion was
from the LORD. He was seeking an occasion to confront the Philistines, because
they were ruling over the Israelites.
So, they went down to Timnah.
During the journey down to Timnah, a young lion came roaring at
Samson. The Spirit of the LORD came upon Samson in power, and then he tore the
lion apart with his bare hands, just like how will he tear a young goat. But,
he was silence about this. He continued on his journey and went down to talk to
the woman. He liked her.
After some time, Samson went back to marry the woman. The lion
carcass was there! In it was a swarm of bees and some honey. He scooped and
ate. He even gave some to his parents. Remember, he was a Nazirite. He was not supposed to touch a dead body.
He held a feast there. He gave a riddle to the Philistines to show
off his strength and wits.
“ Out of the eater, something to eat;
out of the strong, something sweet.”
He knew the people would not be able to answer it. So, he placed a
bet where he knew he would win. The Philistines had no idea what would the
answer be. So, they resorted in threatening the life of his wife and his wife’s
father. So, she was afraid and asked Samson. Samson didn’t tell her the first
time she pressured him. He even added ‘I didn’t even tell my parents the answer’
(indicating that he didn’t even tell two persons who was closest to him). After
several times that she pressured and cried, Samson gave up before the hour on
the seventh day. He told her the ANSWER!
Remember what the Philistines had threatened the wife – so, once
the wife knew the answer, she hurried to tell the Philistines.
Before sunset on the seventh day, the Philistines men came and
solved the riddle. Samson with his pride didn’t want to be defeated answered
that if it wasn’t because of his wife, you (Philistines) will never know.
The story went on that he went down to a city called Ashkelon,
struck down 30 men, stripped them of their belongings and gave up their clothes
to those who had explained the riddle. Samson impulsively used the special gift
God gave him for selfish purposes. He was angry then he went to his father’s
house.
His wife was given to a friend who had attended his wedding. He
only knew during the time of wheat harvest and when he intended to visit the wife.
It goes to showed that he was away for a period of time. The woman’s father didn’t
allowed Samson to go into his wife’s room. The woman’s father justified his
actions by saying that Samson hated her and that’s the reason he gave her to
Samson’s friend. Not only that, he even suggested to Samson to take the sister
instead because she is more attractive.
Samson was angry. Because of this, he concluded that he wants to
get even with the Philistine. Thus, he burnt their standing grain, vineyards
and olive groves. The Philistines was angry – their crops were all burnt. They
in return burned both the woman and her father to death.
Samson became even angrier – because his first love was burnt to death.
Samson attacked them viciously and slaughtered many of them. He was taking his
own REVENGE in his own hands. Samson had went to stay in a cave in the rock of
Etam (maybe to mourn of the wife and father-in-law death)
Because of what had happened, the Philistines went up and camp in
Judah. They had went there because they want to capture Samson as prisoner and
do unto him how he had done to the Philistines.
Three thousands men of Judah went to the cave and captured Samson
(they probably had heard the strength of Samson and the news of Philistines
killed in his hands). They questioned him the reason that he had killed the
Philistines. Samson answered that he is only doing what they had done unto him.
Samson allowed them to capture him on the condition that the Judah will not
kill him. He was tied up with two new ropes and led him from the rock.
As he approached Lehi, the Philistines came towards him shouting
(They were angry). Samson’s tied ropes became like charred flax and the
bindings dropped from his hands.
On that day, Samson strucked down 1000 men with a fresh donkey’s
jawbone.
He said,
“ With a donkey’s jawbone,
I have made donkeys of them.
With a donkey’s jawbone
I have killed a thousand men.”
Notice the PRIDE and claiming the victory for himself.
Let’s continue looking at v18, he was THIRSTY. Samson was
exhausted physically and emotionally.
You have given you servant this great victory. Must I now die of
thirst and fall into the hands of the uncircumcised?----> a self
pity! God opened a hollow place in Lehi, and water came out of it. Samson
gained back strength after drinking the water.
Emotionally, we are most vulnerable after a great effort or when
faced with real physical needs. Severe depression often follows great achievements,
so don’t be surprised if you feel drained after a personal victory. During these
times of vulnerability, avoid the temptation to think that God owes YOU for
YOUR efforts. It was HIS strength that gave us VICTORY.
I would like to draw your attention to the ATTITUDE of Samson. He
was a great man with a great purpose. But, he used his gifts for his SELFISH
PURPOSE and broke the promise made with God – a Nazirite promise.
We may be where Samson was. Instead of feeling pity for ourselves,
there’s still time to U-TURN.
Are you COURAGEOUS to U-TURN your life for HIM?
Let’s concentrate on keeping our attitudes, actions and words
focused on God instead of ourselves!
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