Day 74 - Judges 13-16

Our twelfth judge is our last judge in this incredible book. Let’s talk about Samson. God miraculously gives a child to a barren woman. He was unique because he was a Nazirite from birth, Samson. Set apart for God, he initiated the liberation from the Philistines (Judges 13).

As he grows, Samson pursues a Philistine wife, acts impulsively, and kills a lion with his bare hands. At his wedding, his wife betrays him to the Philistines, leading to conflict (Judges 14). He leaves his partner after her betrayal and returns home.

Fueled by revenge, Samson burns Philistine fields and strikes down a thousand men with a donkey’s jawbone. Even amidst his reckless choices, Samson experiences God’s provision when he thirsts (Judges 15).

Samson was known for his incredible strength. He meets and falls in love with Delilah. (Judges 16) She later tricks him into revealing his power. With this knowledge the Philistines come up with a plan. Delilah shaved his head as he slept. Without his hair, his strength was gone. The Philistines capture him, gouge out his eyes, and imprison him. However, his hair begins to grow back. In the final act, Samson is brought out in public to mock him. He prays to God for one las bout of strength. Granted, he brings down the building killing himself and everyone else, fulfilling his mission of beginning to deliver Israel from the Philistines.