Sampson was Born

Judges 13:15–25
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Manoah wanted to have a sacrificial meal with the angel of the Lord for he was not aware that his guest was superhuman (v. 15). The angel refused to partake of such a meal but suggested instead that a sacrifice be offered to the Lord (vv. 16-18). Manoah appears to have taken the angel’s suggestion and offered up the sacrifice in the normal way (v. 19). However, it came to a frightening climax when the angel ascended into heaven in the flame of the altar (v. 20). Immediately Manoah and his wife recognized they had been with an angel of the Lord (v. 21) and fell to the ground terror-stricken. Manoah told his wife they would die because they had seen God (v. 22). His wife said no, that if God was going to kill them, he would not have showed them all these things (v. 23).

The promise of the angel was fulfilled, and a son was born to Manoah and his wife (v. 24). They named him Samson meaning “little son.” The hand of God was upon him, and the Holy Spirit soon began to empower him as was revealed in his unique strength and spectacular feats (v. 25). His mother offered her son to the Lord as a Nazarite for “as long as he lived” (I Sam. 1:22, 28). Nazarites in Israel were men of deep conviction who kept solemn vows for the service of the Lord. The word Nazarite means separated or consecrated. The three main vows are listed in Numbers 6 as follows: (1) Not to cut his hair, (2) Not to drink any wine, (3) Not to touch a dead body. 

Most Nazarites took these vows for a limited period of six months to a year, but a few, as in the case of Samson, agreed to do them for their entire lives.

Application

Manoah and his wife recognized that the Lord wanted to direct in the raising of their son. As a parent I must recognize the same Lord wants to fulfil His purpose in the raising of my children. This is one big reason I need to be having “Family Time” every day.