Delilah leads Samson to his doom

A minister told his congregation, “Next week I plan to preach about the sin of lying. To help you understand my sermon, I want you all to read Mark 17.” The following Sunday, as he prepared to ... More

Lying

Samson traveled to Gaza (a philistine city), saw a prostitute, and had sex with her (v. 1). When the people of Gaza heard that the famous Samson, killer of Philistines, was spending the night in their city, they planned an ambush for him. In the light of morning, they would capture him at the gate as he left the city (v. 2). But Samson did not spend the night in Gaza. At Midnight he arose and took hold of the entire gate: doors, posts, and bar. He put them on his shoulders and carried them 38 miles to Hebron (v. 3). Samson’s strength was truly incredible!

 

 

Samson had already gotten himself into trouble with two philistine women, but he hadn’t learned his lesson yet. Delilah lived in the valley of Sorek, not far from his home (v. 4). Three times Delilah enticed Samson, and three times he lied to her (vv. 6-16). She did this to receive a reward of eleven hundred pieces of silver (approximately 30 pounds) from each of five lords of the Philistines (v. 5). They wanted information that would lead to the capture of Samson who was regarded as a national menace. We find the tragic results of a man who chooses to go his way and reject the counsel of loved ones. He would not let God have his way in his life. From here on Samson does nothing but lose (vv. 17-22). Finally, Samson told her the truth. He told how his hair has never been cut, and if it was ever cut his strength would leave him, and he would be as weak as anyone else. 

 

1. He lost his hair (v. 19).

2. He lost his strength (v. 20).

3. He lost his sight (v. 21).

4. He lost his liberty (v. 21).  

Application

Immorality is one of the chief ways Satan tears down the ministry of men. I must never get the mistaken idea that it is impossible for this to happen to me. The only way to be sure of remaining pure is to stay close to the Lord and make this a part of my daily prayer life.

Judges 16:1-22 (English Standard Version)


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