THE LIFE OF SAMSON

Lesson #20

 

The Demise of Samson (1)

Judges 16-1-31

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.     Samson’s judgeship lasted 20 years (Judg. 14:20; 15:31).

 

B.      In this chapter, we see “The Demise of Samson.”

1.       Judges 16:20b

 

…And he wist not that the Lord had departed from him.

 

2.       Judges 16:21

 

But the Philistines took him, and put out his eyes, and brought him down to Gaza, and bound him with fetters of brass:  and he did grind in the prison house.

 

3.       Judges 16:23b

 

…for they said, Our god hath delivered Samson our enemy into our hand.

 

4.       Judges 16:25b

 

…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.

 

5.       Judges 16:30

 

And Samson said, Let me die with the Philistines…

 

C.      An outline of the chapter:

 

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

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

iii.                 DEATH CREATES VICTORY (Judg. 16:23-31)

 

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

 

A.     Sin with a Harlot (Judg. 16:1).

1.       Gaza:  A defiled city

 

Then went Samson down to Gaza…

 

a.       The word “Gaza” means strong.

b.       Gaza was the chief and largest of the five lordships of the Philistines.

 

c.       Question:  Why was Samson back among the Philistines?

d.       Lesson:  It makes a difference where we spend our time.

1)      “…we certainly do not need to give him (Satan) help in the battle against us by locating ourselves in a place that gives him the advantage to tempt and defile us” (Butler, 131).

2)      What happened to the prodigal son when he left home and went to the far country? (Luke 15:11-16).

2.       Saw there:  A defiled look

 

Then went Samson to Gaza, and saw there…

 

a.       One writer said that Samson had “eye” trouble (See Judg. 14:1-2).

b.       Lesson:  If we do not guard the “eye gate,” we will defile ourselves.

1)      Examples:

a)       The sons of God saw the daughters of men (Gen. 6:2).

b)      Judah saw her, that is, his daughter-in-law in a harlot’s attire (Gen. 38:14-18).

c)       Potipher’s wife “cast her eyes upon Joseph” (Gen. 39:7).

d)      David “saw a woman washing herself” (II Sam. 11:2).

2)      Application:  TV, internet, books, magazines

3)      Remember:  There is no such thing as “an innocent look.”

4)      Job 31:1

 

I made a covenant with mine eyes; why then should I think upon a maid?

 

3.       A harlot:  A defiled lady

 

Then went Samson to Gaza, and saw there a harlot…

 

a.       A harlot is an unclean person.

b.       She was wicked and very dangerous (Prov. 7:25-27).

 

Let not thine heart incline to her ways, go not astray in her paths.  For she hath cast down many wounded:  yea, many strong men have been slain by her.  Her house is the way to hell, going down to the chambers of death.

 

c.       Lesson:  “You cannot keep close company with defiled people without defiling yourself.  The people we keep company with can make us or break us” (Butler, 132).  (See I Cor. 15:33).

 

Be not deceived:  evil communications corrupt good manners.

 

4.       Went in unto her:  A defiled action

 

Then went Samson to Gaza, and saw there a harlot, and went in unto her.

 

a.       The Law of Moses was clear (Exo. 20:14).

 

Thou shalt not commit adultery.

 

b.       Here, we again see the weak, strong man in action.

c.       “Samson had power without purity and strength without self-control” (Henderson, 99).

d.       Lesson:  Well-known and successful men in all walks of life, including the ministry have fallen into the sin of fornication.  “They were careless as to where they went, what they allowed their eyes to dwell upon, and with whom they kept company” (Butler, 133).