DO NOW: WHAT ARE THE GIFTS AND TALENTS THAT PEOPLE SOMETIMES CALL THEIR STRENGTHS? Chapter 10 ~Lesson 3

Concept: Who was Samson? What did he have in common with Deborah? Nazarite: a person consecrated to God

Chapter 10 ~Lesson 3 Samson was the most famous judge.  The Israelites once again turned from the one true God.  There was a woman from Zorah who couldn’t have children. God promised her a son, who would be consecrated to God.  He will begin the deliverance of Israel from the power of the Philistines.  When the baby was born he was named Samson. He was blessed with amazing strength.  Samson was a Nazarite, a person consecrated to God.  A Nazarite must not drink, touch anything dead, or cut his hair.

Chapter 10 – Lesson 2 Samson married a Philistine woman. They were treated badly by the Philistines, who also killed Samson’s wife and family. Samson was enraged and battled the Philistines who came to fear him. Samson fell in love with Delilah, another Philistine woman. The Philistines paid her to find out the secret to Samson’s strength. He told Delilah that as long as he kept toe vows of a Nazarite, he would keep his strength.

When Samson fell asleep Delilah arranged to shave his head. While imprisoned, his hair grew back. He was brought to a Philistine festival so they could mock him. They tied him between 2 columns. He prayed and asked God for his strength back. Samson pushed down the 2 columns holding up the temple, killing him and all the Philistines in the temple.