Judges Chapter 16 – The End of Samson

“How the mighty have fallen!” (2 Samuel 1:27)

Since ancient times, the saying “Even heroes have a weakness for the charms of a beautiful woman.” has been proven true, as was evident in Samson’s life, and turned out to be his failure.

There is no denying that Samson was a great hero on the battlefield; it could even be said that, as one man, he held out against ten thousand.

But the greatest enemy in his life was not the Philistine warrior in front of him, but himself.

It was not Delilah’s gentle tongue or the strength of the Philistines that caused Samson to stumble, but his own lusts.

Whenever Samson went to Delilah’s house, it was like an ox going to the slaughter, or as a fool to the correction of the stocks (Prov 7:22).

Although Samson was chosen by God to be a Nazirite at birth, he never guarded this honorable status with holiness. He led a wanton life, indulging in the temptation of beauty and lust, thus wasting this call from heaven.

Have we also received warning from Samson’s attitude?

Do we guard our bodies with sanctification and honour because we know that we have been bought with a price? (1 Thess 4:4-5). Although we know, yet our behavior often runs counter to this knowledge; perhaps because of a momentary weakness, or because we are trapped in a cycle of weakness, or worse still, we ignore our weakness. In any case, those who continue to practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. (Gal 5:19-21)

Time and again Samson transgressed the commandments of God, playing precariously by the cliff, yet he did not pay attention to any of this. After Samson forsook his faith, he thought he could still go out as at other times and shake himself free, but God had already left him. When one is extremely weak, he does not know that he has violated God’s law, and that God’s magnanimity has reached the limit. In the end, Samson did not even know that the spirit of God had left him.

This is a typical example of workers neglecting spiritual nurture. While busy serving, the fatigue of the body and the mind often causes people to look lightly on spiritual cultivation, so that their own weakness becomes a blind spot.

This weakness will begin to erode a person’s character, and even their soul will be engulfed over time. For this reason, the apostle Paul was extremely cautious. “But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.” (1Cor 9:27)

In the end, Samson regained the strength to avenge the enemy who had gouged out his eyes. Do you think this was possible because his hair was growing, or because God had mercy on his remorse?

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