THE LIFE OF SAMSON

Lesson #26

 

The Demise of Samson (7)

Judges 16:1-31

Victor M. Eskew

 

 

I.             THE DOORS CARRIED OFF (Judg. 16:1-3)

 

II.           DELILAH CONQUERS SAMSON (Judg. 16:4-22)

 

III.         DEATH BRINGS VICTORY (Judg. 16:23-31)

 

A.     The Celebration of the Philistine (Judg. 16:23-24)

 

B.     The Call for Samson (Judg. 16:25)

 

And it came to pass, when their hearts were merry, that they said, Call for Samson, that he may make us sport.  And they called for Samson out of the prison house; and he made them sport:  and they set him between the pillars.

 

1.       When their “hearts were merry” indicates that they were intoxicated with wine.

a.       Their intoxication made them vulnerable.

b.      They brought their enemy into the temple of their god.

2.       Samson made sport before them.

a.       He was forced to do actions that caused the crowd to laugh and mock this man of God.

b.      Samson was made “a buffoon for drunkards” (Maclaren, as quoted by Butler, 166).

c.       The one who was a threat was now entertainment.  The one who brought fear now brought laughter.  The one who was a terror was now being terrorized.  Sin truly brings a man low.

d.      He was set between the pillars. 

1)       This was probably in the very center of the temple. 

2)       All could gather around in order to see their enemy being afflicted. 

3)       They were doing just as they had promised to Delilah (Judg. 16:5).

 

…Entice him, and see wherein his great strength lieth, and by what means we may prevail against him, that we may bind him to afflict him…

 

C.     The Conquest by Samson (Judg. 16:26-30)

1.       The Request (Judg. 16:26)

 

And Samson said unto the lad that held him by the hand, Suffer me that I may feel the pillars whereupon the house standeth that I may lean upon them.

 

a.       The one leading Samson was a lad.

1)       This exposed the weakness of Samson.  He was able to be led by a young boy.

2)       This young man would not have the knowledge or experience to think anything evil of Samson’s request.

b.      Whereupon the house standeth.

1)       Each structure has what are called “load bearing” parts.  This is where the weight of the building rests for the most part.

2)       If this are removed, the house will come tumbling down.

3)       Samson was already plotting his course of action. 

a)       Could he feel the presence of God’s strength with him again?

b)      Was he just in a penitent state and set to rely upon his God?

 

 

 

2.       The Representatives (Judg. 16:27)

 

Now the house was full of men and women; and all the lords of the Philistines were there, and there were upon the roof about three thousand men and women, that beheld while Samson made sport.

 

a.       It was a mixed crowd;  men and woman

b.      It was a mighty crowd:  all the lords of the Philistines

c.       It was a massive crowd:  about three thousand

d.      It was a monopolized crowd:  that beheld while Samson made sport

e.       Question:  Were all of these things coming together just lucky circumstances?  Or, do we see divine providence at work?

1)       Samson’s request made to the lad was granted.

2)       Samson was positioned between the main pillars of the temple of Dagon

3)       The crowd was huge.

4)       The lords of the Philistines were present.

3.       The Requisition (Judg. 16:28)

 

And Samson called unto the Lord, and said, O Lord, remember me, I pray thee, and strengthen me, I pray thee, only this once, O God, that I may be avenged of the Philistines for my two eyes.

 

a.       Butler reveals four positive things about Samson’s prayer.

1)       He prayed in time of need

a)       This is right and good and expected by God (Phil. 4:19; Heb. 4:16).

 

But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Jesus Christ.

 

b)      “Failure to bring our needs to God only hurts us” (Butler, 167).  Ex., King Asa, II Chron. 16:12).

 

And Asa in the thirty and ninth year of his reign was diseased in his feet, until his disease was exceeding great:  yet in his disease he sought not the Lord, but to the physicians.

 

2)       He prayed to the right Source.  He prayed to Jehovah God (Ps. 22:24).

 

For he hath not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; neither hath he hid his face from him; but when he cried unto him, he heard.

 

3)       He prayed to be strengthened.

a)       He knew he was still too weak to do this without God.

b)      “…weakness can be our strength if a consciousness of it drives us to God for His strength to help us” (Butler, 167).  See II Cor. 12:9b-10

 

…Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.  Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake:  for when I am weak, then am I strong.

 

4)       He prayed earnestly.  Samson meant business (James 5:16b).

 

The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

 

b.      Butler points out two negatives in this prayer.

1)       Samson’s desire for strength was to execute personal revenge.

a)       “…that I may be avenged of the Philistines for my two eyes.”

b)      It would have been better had his desire been to deliver his people, or, to bring honor and glory to God.