1. Samson
Heb 11:32-34

2. Introduction Samson: A man of faith? Certainly a man of strength
Certainly a warrior
But he lived such a sinful life
Not really a “role-model”
So why is he listed with great men of faith like Abraham, Noah, Moses and David?

3. Samson’s story
The Philistines had been oppressing Israel for 40 years (Jdg 13:1)
This was due to the Israelites own sins
They wouldn’t allow Israelites to own iron
Prevented them from making good weapons

4. Samson’s story An angel appears to Manoah’s barren wife- Jdg 13:3-5
Announces the forthcoming birth of a son
The son would be a lifelong Nazirite
Must not drink any grape or alcoholic product
Must not eat anything unclean
Must not cut his hair
The boy would “begin to deliver Israel” from the Philistines

5. Samson’s story Jdgs 13:25 – 14:4 Samson chooses a Philistine wife
Samson’s only reason is she is beautiful
God uses Samson’s desire to further His own plan
God didn’t force Samson into wickedness

6. Samson’s Story
Jdgs 14:5-6
Samson and parents go to meet the woman
Samson kills a lion along the way
Does so by tearing it apart (not choking it)
Later at time for wedding, Samson finds the carcass
Bees have formed a hive within
Samson eats of the honey
The honey would be unclean because touched a dead body

7. Samson’s story Samson held a seven day feast for the wedding
Samson offers a riddle (Jdg 14:12-13)
The men threaten Samson’s wife if she doesn’t get the answer
She whines and begs
Samson finally gives her the answer
Samson knows how they solved the riddle
So he kills 30 Philistines and gives their clothes to the men who “solved” the riddle
It’s the first blow against the Philistines
See how God is using Samson

8. Samson’s Story Samson went home without his wife
Brought a goat when he came back to her
Her father had already married her off to another
Samson uses 300 foxes to destroy the grain ready for harvest and the vineyards and olive groves
An economic blow to the Philistines

9. Samson’s story Philistines inquire about the burning
Kill Samson’s wife and father by burning
Samson again enraged (Jdgs 15:7-8)
He struck them “ruthlessly with a great slaughter”
No body count but certainly into the hundreds due to later comparisons
Another blow by God against the Philistines
Samson wanted to quit and hide afterwards
But God wasn’t done with him

10. The men of Judah ask Samson to surrender
They were afraid of reprisals from Philistines
Samson surrenders and is delivered to the Philistines bound with 2 new ropes
Jdgs 15:14-16
Uses donkey’s jawbone (unclean)
Kills 1,000 men
The blows of God against Philistines are getting more powerful (Jdgs 15:18)

11. Jdg 15:20 – Samson judged Israel for 20 yrs
Likely to have been some skirmishes with Philistines during that time
Or perhaps Philistines decide to back off for a time
Now story jumps ahead those 20 years
Samson perhaps late 30s or early 40s
Samson sleeps with a Philistine prostitute
He is still not a righteous man
Trapped in the city by Philistines
Removes gates and carries them away 7 miles, uphill

12. Samson then falls in love with another Philistine woman, Delilah
Lords of Philistines offer Delilah money to find out secret of his strength
There were 5 lords of the Philistines
3 times she begs Samson, 3 times he lies and escapes
Jdgs 16:15-17 she “nags” for days

13. Samson’s story Samson tells her about his Nazirite vow
Samson doesn’t really believe shaving his head will make a difference
Probably because he had broken the vow several times already
But God let him be captured (Jdgs 16:19-21)
Samson failed to realize he was being used by God for God’s purposes
Thought he was the one in control

14. Samson is blinded, chained, and put to work like an animal grinding grain
His hair begins to grow, but his strength doesn’t return
The 5 lords hold a celebration and bring in Samson to entertain them (Jdgs 16:23-24)
Samson prays (Jdgs 16:28-30)
He finally learned the true source of his strength
Wanted to make one final effort to strike a blow against the Philistines
All 5 lords, 3,000 on the roof, unknown how many others inside – all killed

15. What can we learn? God can use wicked people to accomplish His plans
God punishes the wicked, even if that punishment seems delayed
Sin takes you farther than you want to go
Samson started by chasing the wrong woman
He became proud of “his” accomplishments
He kept getting deeper into sin
Ignored all warnings

16. What can we learn?
Sin and its consequences will hold you longer than you want to stay
Samson blinded, imprisoned, forced labor, humiliated
Sin will cost you more than you care to pay
Cost Samson sight, freedom, pride, and life
God will forgive anyone who truly repents and turns back to God

17. How do we know Samson was forgiven?
He prayed
God heard his prayer
God answered his prayer
God listed him in Hebrews 11 as a man of faith
It is only at the end of his life that we see Samson display any real faith in God

18. Conclusion No matter who we are … No matter what we’ve done …
No matter how often we may have failed in the past…
God wants us to turn to Him in faith, repentance and obedience
Why not now?