When we start to talk about Samson’s story, it can be easy to say what he should have done and how he should have reacted. Why would you give your secret away to this woman who is so obviously trying to trap you? But I’m learning that when we take a few steps back and ask the Lord for perspective, things can start to shift.
When in my own life have I gone against what is right and true to blend in and be accepted? How often have I chosen comfort or the shiny new thing that I wanted instead of submitting and waiting for God’s timing and God’s way?
Maybe Samson’s story is in some ways a warning to all of us. It’s a reminder of what happens when we choose sin and the things of this world over the strength and mighty purpose of God. And isn’t it just like God to still accomplish His will, even in the middle of the mess that Samson made?
Like the prophet Jeremiah—“You know, LORD; remember me and take note of me” (Jeremiah 15:15)—at the end of Samson’s life, we see him ask God to still bring vengeance and justice despite the situation he got himself in. There at the end of his life, when he had been mocked, embarrassed, and rejected, Samson asked the Lord to give him strength again. Despite the absolute mess that Samson made and the dark end that it came to, God still made His power and glory known to the Philistines (Judges 16:28–30).
It’s easy to think that all the men and women God used throughout the Bible were perfectly spiritual, without blemish or fault. But nothing could be further than the truth. All throughout the Bible, God used broken, imperfect people whose lives were tainted by mistakes to accomplish His will and point others back to Him (Hebrews 11:32–34). How often I need this reminder that God’s power is beyond our understanding—and so are His ways.
While we wrestle with stories like Samson’s and so many others throughout Judges, I’m grateful that we serve a God who stays the same, today and forever. Yes, He is a God of judgment. He is a jealous God. But He also reveals His glory through imperfect people—and for that, I’m so grateful.
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35 thoughts on "Samson’s Defeat and Death"
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I had the same question reading about Delilah— how can he continue to stay with her when she clearly is trying to bring him down? But then, how many times I’ve had these moments with people or things in life whether knowingly or unknowingly? When I know deep down or by their behavior that who they’re showing me they are is who they are, yet because I comfort it- somehow— to something good, just so it benefits me, or because it makes me feel good? Father, thank you for continuing to show us that you are with us, and that your love is with us. Give us discernment and clarity when we encounter something or someone who puts our convictions and beliefs to the test, so that we may make the right decisions. And thank you for still loving us when we fall. But thank you even more for helping us up when we cry to you for help.
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For real
Judges 16 recounts the tragic story of Samson, a Nazirite set apart by God, known for his superhuman strength. This chapter focuses on his relationship with Delilah, her deceit, the loss of his divine strength, his capture by the Philistines, and his final act of faith and redemption.
Judges 18 illustrates a poignant departure from God’s guidance, as exemplified by the Danites’ actions. Their theft, idolatry, and use of force demonstrate the repercussions of relying on our own understanding instead of seeking Divine direction. It’s a stark reminder that straying from God’s path can lead to moral relativism, with potentially catastrophic consequences.
Today’s devotion is my prayer, and I couldn’t have said it better: “I am grateful that we serve a God who stays the same, today and forever. Yes, He is a God of judgment. He is a jealous God. But He also reveals His glory through imperfect people — and for that, I’m so grateful.” Amen
The story of Samson shed so much light on leadership nowadays and God’s choice of people. He chose imperfect people, people with temper issues, lust issues, lying issues and so on. No problem for God. And many times I felt in the trap of criticizing faulty leadership who are not perfect causing various damage, etc. My ways are not His ways. I repent. BUT GOD… their ongoing imperfections would not disqualify His choice. God loves them even though we might be struggling to love them. In these last days, people are so bold to come out declaring their “gods”. And if the imperfect leader worships the One True God (and His Son Jesus), God’s spirit and strength is with him/her.. despite their many shortcomings. May we give honor where honor is due. May we pray and cover them in prayers. May we render what God’s to God, and what of Caesar to Caesar, what belongs to leaders their due respect and compassion. Who can escape the trap of pride when you’re on the peak of your strength, when you’re the spotlight that thousands are talking about, if you go viral on the internet and the whole world knows about you and your special talent, strength, rare abilities (whatever it might be), when you’re invited to talk shows, who can escape the seduction of many lustful women/ men that will flood to you because of such “fame”, and then comes many manipulation techniques to find out the source of your strength/ success in order to rob you and kill you IN YOUR SLEEP! How? Unless it’s by God’s grace. What harsh truth. I came across this quote of CS Lewis on my daily feed, “The real test of being in the presence of God is, that you either forget about yourself altogether or see yourself as a small, dirty object”. I was thinking, is this too harsh? But truly, we are weaker than we think. Samson is weaker than we think. May we see ourselves in Samson’s shoes and walk a mile, then two miles, then 10 miles… and see how long more we can endure before we might crack and revert to self. Who chance can we stand unless it’s God who gives us grace? Lord we thank you for your strength and wisdom. We thank you for hindsight of Samson. Help us not to mistake our strength for Your strength in us, help us to discern people, those who tell us their heart is with us but lie, those of unequally yoked circles we open ourselves to, or those who are closest to us by blood relations, but are instruments of darkness to trick us and wear us down with manipulation day in and day out to vex our soul to death, in our peak of several victories which is where downfall is the easiest, help us to lean on You for eyes, for visions, so our eyes might not be gouged out that we turn blind by those whom we love and be ridiculed publicly. Give us grace to walk by faith and not by our own eyes that we stumble not by the devil’s many manipulations and deceptions. Help us to overcome the flesh, the judgment of the flesh, which leads to death, and be led by the Spirit which leads to peace and life. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen.
Be blessed dear sisters.
God’s Watson are not our ways! How much He has seen through the centuries. Praise You Lord for still loving us and being for us! ❤️
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Happy Friday! What a great reminder of Gods faith fullness. I too want things that I do not NEED but it’s easier to follow the crowd. I was thinking about this today even with gossiping. It’s so much easier to gossip then to not some times. When a coworker might mentioned something about somebody else it’s easy to just agree then to walk away. Praying for you all today!
At this time is significant to how our hearts should see God’s mercy in the midst of this crisis between Israel and the people in Gaza.
Wow Molly, sister PNW here, thanks for that insight to the extreme Mercy of God. The fact that Samson’s story mentions Gaza, for me at tgis
Such a great lesson! I haven’t been on here for awhile, but this week I’ve started back on my Bible study. Asking for prayers because I’ve had a job opportunity come up and I’m nervous about it. I have anxiety and it keeps me from doing a lot, but this job shouldn’t cause any anxiety issues. I wouldn’t have to be social which one of the main causes of my anxiety! Just asking for prayers that I get the boost of confidence to take this job offer!!
Thankful for His faithfulness towards us
Thank you all so much for the prayers! I am organizing an oil anointing prayer at my home next week. I will let you know when so you can join us. God is good &this just adds to my testimony
Great insights Kristine L! Samson thought he was invincible. God allowed him to suffer the consequences of his pride. In his blindness, he saw for perhaps the first time that God was the source of his strength. When we come to the end of ourselves, God hears and delivers in a mighty way. Oh how it must grieve God. If we would only abide in Him, we could be spared of so much heartache instead of doing what seems right in our own eyes.
I am so thankful!
Such a great lesson of what happens when we rely on our own strength. Everytime I read this story of Samson’s life it makes me grieve for a wasted life but thankful for God’s mercy to Samson in the end.
TINA I’m thankful that there is not a book written about my life with all of my mistakes and sins. I’m thankful that God used imperfect people to accomplish his will! Soooo thankful for His mercy and grace.
Praying for all of you !
Searching – yes! I love your response to Pepe (not sure the original post) but thank you for quoting 2 Timothy 3:16. I think the world is ashamed of what they don’t understand or the evil things we have been part of collectively — so we try to mask it. But God works all things together for His glory… For His elect.. let it be so God.
@Molly R- love your writing and reflection this morning :)
Happy Friday, Shes! Wish I had more time this morning to comment back to you all – meeting a girl I knew from high school who is seeking about Jesus.. she randomly reached out to me… <3 praying it is a helpful conversation that keeps her questioning and discovering more about His true character.
Have a good day!
I thought, hoped maybe, that 4 days spent with Samson would shed some light onto why he was chosen by God from the womb and yet went on to lead a most self-indulgent, arrogant, and stupid lifestyle…and STILL be used by God, and kept covered in the very spirit of God! I can understand the many attempts to relate our own foolishness and selfishness with Samson, but I still can’t get around how AWFUL he was! And the amount of time he spent living this way. I will be the first to admit I have done some stupid things and spent many a season of life in a selfish and ignorant way, but this “Judge of Israel” seemed hell-bent on pushing the limits of God’s patience and mercy until the actual breaking point. Some of the judges mentioned get a handful of verses, if that, to included them in the roster, but this guy? He gets 4 chapters of head-shaking, mind-boggling exploits only to come to an ugly, untimely, under-used death.
My only take away is the unmitigated, unmatched, unwavering mercy of God. And it was on this 4th morning of head-shaking reading that it dawned on me: I have never fully contemplated the depths of God’s Mercy. Not that I could actually understand it, but have I ever even tried?? I have many times of running back to God after some stupid choices, but never really acknowledged my utter need for the mercies of God. I quote the “new mercies ever morning” thing a lot, especially as a mom, but I have never fully acknowledged or appreciated this monumental attribute of God. I may not get 4 chapters of my life catalogued for the world to shake their head at, BUT I AM IN NEED OF THE SAME MERCY that is seen in the life and death of Samson.
Oh, and I just love the many consistent names I see each morning in the wee hours of PST here on the West Coast of America in the glow of the computer screen in the otherwise dark kitchen. It warms my heart thinking of these and the names not commenting but still digging into the Word of God as we prepare our hearts for the day ahead.
GM
Oh Yes, Tina, a book of Rhonda J would be quite messy, just as we purview Samson’s! lol It would be a book of miss Rhonda thinking her way is good, and finding out over and over it only led to misery, mistakes hurting myself and others, and sadness. Oh But God- Thank you Lord, for being there through it all, picking me up time and time again, and finally being there in grace to forgive the past and start anew. Now YOU are my Yahweh that I call on daily, try to walk on your path, though I stumble, you are my Light, my joy, my all!
I still have many struggles, although seemingly small, they still seem to weigh on me. But Lord, I cast my cares on you, for YOU to sustain me and give me wisdom. Let the Holy Spirit be my guide, I pray. Your presence is such a sweet, precious gift. Let us not take it for granted and rely on ourselves, it gets us nowhere. I humbly come to you Lord for your strength, for me and my sister SHE”S. We want to be refined, restored, and shaped to be what you want us to be, more like Jesus. Thank you for giving us your word, to study and meditate on. The stories teach us and guide us. Amen and Amen.
Jeremiah 15:16 – Your words were found, and I ate them. Your words became a delight to me and the joy of my heart,for I bear your name,Lord God of Armies.
2 Corinthians 12:10
That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
We bear His Name so we should turn to His Word any time we feel cast down and are tempted to do what seems/feels right in our own eyes. If only…..!
Great comments, SHES!!!
SEARCHING – ❤
Continued prayers for each SHE. Asking for yours as well. I have been dealing with a horrible lower respiratory issue and have not had much sleep the past couple of days because of coughing. ❤
Who would I be without God? Thank you @Tina for this- I too believe my book would be just as juicy as the rest and I am so grateful for Gods presence on every page!!!! Lord help me to choose You over me! Happy Friday She’s!
A “Book of Tina”… We would all have one, wouldn’t we? (But mine would be a “Book of Adrienne”, of course… Heeheehee!)
Did you notice that in the end (even though there were so many stupid moments in Samson’s life… mine too), that he delivered his people by dying, like Jesus delivered us by dying on the cross? (If the pillars would have been in the shape of a cross, it would have jumped out at me even more!)
Be thankful that He saved us, sweet She’s. (I know you are!) Prayers lifted for all of us!
Samson, Samson, Samson … what a messy life. Lack of faith and self importance on display at every turn, yet God used him. Agreeing with KELLY (NEO) that in his cry out to God at the end, we finally see an acknowledgment of the source of his strength. And she wisely brings up the question of believing in our own strength … yikes.
TINA ❤️ thank you for your comment yesterday. When I read over it again this morning, I didn’t get past “despite my flaws” before the tears flowed. SO thankful for the cleansing that my faith in Christ brings.
And the “Book of Tina” could be the book of any one of us … Lord, thank you for walking with me through it all, and praying for guidance to choose wisely.
Thank you, dear sister.
ALLISON BENTLEY – thank you for the reminder to look at the details and see God working in our own lives
PEPE – thank you for reminding us “Nonetheless, if God can use him, he can use me! And I can learn from his failures to avoid his outcomes.”
A bit of a ramble … In today’s world, there is a movement to erase the ugliness of our past (in US at least) from what children are being taught in school, and movements that push the ideology that there is no eternal punishment because God is love. Truth can be denied or covered up, but not changed. Samson’s story and really, the historical and ongoing story of the children of Israel, is difficult and painful to read and hear – but as many have pointed out through our various studies, the underlying all-powerful purpose of God’s word is to draw us to Him and as stated in 2 Timothy 3:16 “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (NKJV)
BETH FRASER – yes. “Each story in one way or another comes back to the reality and necessity of God’s holiness.”
CEE GEE ❤️ your Vines quote and asking, who do we want in charge??? Praying current and future officials at all levels would turn to, worship and follow the Lord. Thank you, sister!
Welcome IDARAOBONGABASIBOM ESHIET!
Praying for:
TRACI GENDRON – your friend, faith in Christ and peace in her home. You mentioned belittling which reminded me that I can use my words to build up or be destructive, of the importance of encouragement and support of my own husband and also Proverbs 21:9 Better to dwell in a corner of a housetop, Than in a house shared with a contentious woman. (NKJV)
GAYLE CRAIK – healing!, wisdom and guidance.
Our sisters with children in need of Christ – HEATHER O’MALLEY, GAYLE CRAIK, LAURA, ALEIDA, and so many others
BONNE LYNN – healing after foot surgery
Yes Kristine! I too am thankful to see Kelly (Neo) and Tina in the early mornings. I always look forward to your comments ladies and I feel less alone in the wee hours. God is kind to connect us over so many miles. <3
Oh Father God thank You for Your Word that constantly reminds us it’s never too late or too broken. Your Will, Your way always. In Jesus name, Amen
Growing up hearing this story, Samson was generally cast as the victim with Delilah as the evil woman, the temptress who tricked poor Samson. But these last three SRT days of Samson’s story have shed some light in the kids’ version I grew up with. Samson was a mess. He got himself into every scrape recorded in the Bible, either because he was hotheaded or a show off, or just saw something he wanted and took it, never mind the consequences. Ugh, sounds like a typical Tuesday for me. Yeah, Delilah may have wielded those shears but Samson cut his own hair, in my opinion. I am grateful for a God who never gives up on me, time and time again. He is faithful to show up when I call, even as I’m standing there with the shovel that dug the hole I’m in.
GAYLE CRAIK – I am so sorry to hear your news. I am praying for you as you navigate this next step.
LANIE – prayers for your journey as well
TINA & KELLY (NEO) – I do my SRT early, around 5:30 am EST, and usually the two of you have already commented. It makes me feel less alone as I sit in my dark kitchen while the rest of my family slumbers. Thanks for being here!
Oh yes and amen!
Samson misunderstood the source of his strength and its purpose. He lived a disobedient life, except for not cutting his hair, thinking that was the only thing he needed to do. His hair had nothing to do with it of course. In the end, his cry out to God for the strength seems to be the only time that he acknowledged the source of his strength (even if it was for a vengeful motive). For once, we see an act of faith on his part.
So I ask myself, where am I believing that anything “good” I’ve done is out of my own strength?
Lord, have mercy.
GAYLE CRAIK – praying for you and your family as you battle the return of the cancer. May the Lord give you strength and courage. May He be glorified.
BONNE LYNN – praying you will recover quickly and the pain is minimal
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Thank you Lord
I am so very thankful that should there be a ‘Book of Tina’ written, my life would be as messy, imperfect, confusing, disobedient, ‘doing, in my own strength, broken and lost.. just like the characters in Judges.
Yet still..
BUT GOD..
He would be there on every page, in every season, walking alongside, showing me mercy, refreshing me with grace, new every morning, forever wanting the best for me, to accomplish His purpose for His Glory..
I am so very grateful for the Love of God, His Mercy, His Grace, His pursuit of me, His purpose and plan for my life, His faithfulness and His love that absolutely endures forever.
Who would I be without God…
Thank you Lord God, Thank you.
AMEN.
Happy Friday! Prayers and hugs wrapped in love..❤️
So grateful! Amen!!