Three Lovers Among Avowed Enemies

Judges 16:1–3
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Samson goes to Gaza which is about 38 miles from Zorah. It is not real clear why he goes there but it would appear to have been a casual visit and his wayward, lustful nature took him into the company of a Philistine prostitute (v. 1). It is hard to understand why Samson chose his three lovers from among his most avowed enemies, the Philistines.

The reputation of Samson had extended beyond the immediate vicinity of his exploits and when the people in Gaza found out he was in their city, they were determined to arrest him (v. 2). However he surprised them by breaking out of the city in the middle of the night, taking with him the doors and door posts (v. 3). The incredible strength of Samson is evident in the fact that he carried all of this uphill to Hebron which is approximately 38 miles away.

Samson had the power to conquer others but he could not conquer his own lust. He set the Philistines’ fields on fire, but would not control the fires of his own lust. He killed the lion but would not put to death the passions of lust. He could easily break the bonds that men put on him, but the shackles of sin gradually brought his life and soul into bondage. For the most part Samson ignored his vow of devotion to God and depended more and more on his own strength rather than on his Maker. If we become successful in using our God-given gifts, we must not forget who gave us these gifts.

Application

It is easy to find myself doing things that I know the Lord is not pleased with? If I do something that I know isn’t pleasing to the Lord once, do I find it easier to do it the next time? I don’t want to be like Samson who went from bad to worse after he refused to listen to God or his parents.