1. Samson and The Lion

2. Who is the strongest Man you know?  Why is he strong?  What makes them strong to you?  What are characteristics of strength in your eyes?

3. Story….  There was a pious (religious) man named Manoah. He was married, but had no children.  One day, while his wife was praying to the Lord to give her a son, “And the angel of the Lord appeared to the woman and said to her, “Indeed now, you are barren and have borne no children, but you shall conceive and bear a son.

4. Story cont’d…  Now, therefore, please be careful not to drink wine or similar drink, and not to eat anything unclean. For behold, you shall conceive and bear a son. And no razor shall come upon his head, for the child shall be a Nazarite to God from the womb; and he shall begin to deliver Israel out of the hand of the Philistines” (Judges 14:3-5)

5. Questions?  What is the name of the Man?  Why was his wife praying?  What did the angel speak to her about?  Why did Manoah pray?

6.  One day Manoah was in the field.  His wife was in another place caring for the cows and milking them….Suddenly she saw the angel standing near her…  She ran to her husband quickly to tell him the angel has come. The man quickly went with her. They bowed to him saying…

7. Acting out…  Manoah: Sir, you said to my wife that she will bear a son….what shall we do with the child?  Angel: Your wife must not drink wine and your son’s hair must not be cut.  Your son also must not drink wine, as he is a Nazirite.

8.  Manoah: What does a “Nazarite” mean Sir?  Angel: It means that he is chosen by the Lord to rescue the people of God from the Philistines  Manoah: What is your name sir?  Angel: My name is “a name of wonders”; do not ask me about my name.  Manoah: allow me to offer you a sacrifice

9. The Sacrifice… Manoah took a young goat, slew it and put it on fire…to their surprise, they saw the angel of the Lord go up towards heaven in flames. They threw their faces downwards on the ground. When the angel disappeared, they rose to pray and thank the Lord.

10.  Nine months later, Samson was born  They brought him up in the fear of the God and taught him how to pray and read….Samson grew up

11. Do you remember what would distinguish Samson from other people?  His long hair  Samson was very dedicated to God as a Nazirite, that is why the Lord gave him a brave heart and wonderful powers. He was very strong

12.  One day he was walking with his parents in a place filled with grapes and suddenly a lion appeared to them and it was roaring.  Samson’s parents were frightened, but Samson told them, “the Lord will fight for you, do not be afraid…”  He ran to the lion and got hold of his head.  Samson was fighting with the lion, grabbed hold of his head and jaw. Samson cried out, “The Lord fights for you…O Lord, help me to kill the lion”

13.  Samson was able to separate the jaws and destroy the mouth of the lion.  The Lion fell dead and Samson threw it to the ground.  Manoah and his wife were amazed at the great power of Samson. They all knelt down and thanked God.  They went on their way and then came back safely.

14. Upon their return…  When Samson and his parents came back, they saw the lion still on the ground.  As they approached the lion they noticed bees bringing out honey from its mouth.  Samson stretched out his hand and took some of the honey…They all ate honey and then Samson said, “Out of the eater came something to eat.”  The Lord made Samson rescue his people from their enemies.

15. Conclusion  Samson’s Mother was barren and the Lord gave her the ability to give birth to a child.  This shows how God can give those who ask Him for good things  Manoah was a symbol of simplicity.  When he knew that the angel appeared to his wife, he prayed asking the angel to appear to him to teach him what to do.  When he realized that it was the Lord that appeared to him he was afraid he might die.

16. More Questions?  What Is the name of the enemies of the people of God in the days of Samson?  How was Samson born?  What does the statement mean, “Out of the eater came something to eat?”

17. Memory Verse “Out of the eater came something to eat” (Judges 14:14)