​It's not hard to imagine that in their final night together Delijah gives him a rousing evening of sex and lots of wine to the point he is unconscious, passed out on her knees fully exposed, and unaware that someone shaved his head. Even sadder is when he awakes he did not realize the Lord had left him (20).

Immediately after capturing our hero the Philistines gouge out his eyes.  Apparently the Philistines did not know if his strength could return or not, so they remove his eyes to minimize any future act of retribution or revenge.  Isn't it interesting that his eyes, which were the main channel of his lust for sex and foreign women, are forever destroyed? Do not be deceived God is not mocked, what a man sows that shall he also reap (Gal 6:7). It must of been humbling to go from mighty man of God to being bound with shackles, used for entertainment, and grinding grain in prison.

Sex is a great gift between husband and wife but a successful tool of the enemy outside of marriage. When Dopamine, Oxytocin and Vasopressin are released during sex between a man and a woman couples bond, they become one. Whenever men and women get involved in sexual relationships outside of marriage, it can cause much trouble. Consequently, both parties can lose the ability to see the relationship clearly. Samson is a classic example of being blinded by love to the point of being played a fool.

​- Are you aware of the dangers for having sex outside of marriage?
- Samson made a choice to live with Delilah. What choices are you making that could get you into a lot of trouble?

After the bribe Delilah is focused and persistent and wastes little time trying to get to the secret of his mighty powers. Perhaps he wondered why she needed this information, or perhaps it was a case of curiosity about the man she supposedly was in love with. In verse 6 she asks, “Please tell me where your great strength lies, and how you might be bound, that one could subdue you.” Hour hero responds with a fanciful tale which she immediately puts to the test. She does this to him three times.

He may have enjoyed the playfulness of toying with her and the Philistines. However, you would think after three attempts to learn the secret, and three attempts to take his life, he would never get to a place of trust with her again. Or at least throw her out of the house for being so toxic. Unfortunately, he had clouded feelings for her most likely because of her beauty and sexual prowess.  She continues to press him using all the tools at her disposal until he was to the point of being irritated and annoyed. Caught off balance,  and wore out, he reveals the truth. 

- What are your goals during a premarital relationship?
- Have you ever let someone talk or manipulate you into doing something wrong?

NOTE: Pornography is another mind killer and can form a quick addiction. Just because its virtual does not mean it wont impact your life and  mind. 

​Being consistent in his lust of the eyes and lust of the flesh we find Samson with a seductive woman named Delilah the primary romantic partner to our hero the Israelite judge. One can only imagine how physically attractive she was, but then again true evil is often masked by the worlds' beauty (2 Cor 11:14). Samson must have been smitten. Unfortunately, she is evil and is more interested in wealth than being loving and honorable. Once the Philistines discover her relationship with Samson, she conspires with the Philistines who offer her 1,100 pieces of silver if she will, "Seduce him, and see where his great strength lies." 

Throughout Samsons life we see him act without setting or keeping boundaries, the kind of boundaries that were clearly laid out in Scripture. Consequently, his sweet tooth for sex and physical pleasure made him an easy target for the enemy of God's people. This is one of many biblical illustrations where picking the right spouse and becoming one has lifetime implications. Centuries later we find the apostle Paul reminding the Corinthians on this very point, "Do not be decieved. Bad company corrupts good morals." (1 Cor 15:33). 

- If Satan were to seduce you, where would he find the kink in your armor?
- Are you tasting, touching, seeing, or feeding something inside you, that would lead to your downfall?

Were not sure what Samson’s behavior was like during this twenty years as Judge of Israel, but chances are he continued to feed his lust for women especially foreign females. This chapter begins by mentioning once again that Samson’s eyes were part of his conduct.  Upon “seeing” an attractive prostitute, he knowingly goes into her house of sexual business to feed his raging lust. 

During the night the men of Gaza, most likely Philistines, find out Samson was in the city enjoying her place of business, so they surround her home and lay in wait to capture and kill our hero. We’re not sure how he knows this, but after discovering the plot he makes a midnight escape destroying the city gate as he exits. 

In the book of James, we are given a description on the process of lust and how what happens when we say yes, “But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death (1:14-15). When Samson saw the prostitute, he fully embraces the desire for sexual gratification. Unlike Samson, we are not always able to make such an escape.

- How often do you let your eyes feed your flesh?
- When was the last time you embraced the desire for sexual gratification?
- What were the results?

Samson's reputation as a strong man has grown to the point where the Philistines plan on using the people of Israel against our hero. Why should they endanger themselves further if they can manipulate someone else to do their dangerous bidding? The impelling force behind revenge is to get even and to carry out a private vendetta. Although Samson is a judge and doing God's will he is also acting on his emotions. Both parties are engaged in the revenge cycle (10-11).

In this part of his story, 3000 men side with the enemy by leaving their homes to find Samson, bind him, and turn him over to the Philistines. It appears that Samson was not too worried about being tied and led into enemy camp. This may have been the exact situation he was waiting for. After entering the camp the Spirit of the Lord rushed upon our hero and his bindings melted off his body.

Grabbing a jawbone of a donkey, Samson proceeds in the Spirit to inflict revenge on 1000 men. It's interesting to note he praises himself and not the Lord after his victory (16), “With the jawbone of a donkey, heaps upon heaps, with the jawbone of a donkey have I struck down a thousand men.” Once the enemy was conquered he threw away his weapon of war apparently quite proud of himself.

After killing so many men he must have been dehydrated and tired. In this weak state he is reminded of his need for the Lord. Could the Lord be using this situation to show him his own weakness? Perhaps. The story of Samson reveals little of his spiritual acts but in this part of his legacy, he finally calls out to the Lord for help. After the Lord provides a spring, our hero revives his strength.

• Have you ever felt like getting revenge on someone?
• What does it take for you to call out to God for help?

After such an intentional act it's pretty normal to find out who commited the fires and why. In this case it was not hard to figure out as I am sure Samson did not hide his anger or his actions. The saddest part of his quick rush to action is the cost to his father-in-law and young wife. Together they were burned alive as promised earlier by the Philistine leaders (14:15). 

It's not surprising to see our hero make a vow of vengeance in response to this heinous act (8). The interesting part of the original Hebrew is how he attacked the enemies of God's people. Most versions interpret this as an attack to the hip and thigh but this could also mean a shoulder or lower leg (H7785). The thigh could also be shaft or something from the root word soft (H3409). Regardless of the language we know his attack was violent and strong as per his already demonstrated behaviors and scripture describes. 

Were not sure exactly why after giving them some retribution, our hero find a cleft in a rock (this could also be a cave). Considering his strength it would not be out of fear. It's most likely he needed to think and wait for another opportunity to further avenge the Philistine actions against the people of Israel. Could the outcome be different if our strong man took some time to seek the Lord? Isn't it interesting that in all these stories of physical strength we see little of his spiritual life. 

• Given the same circumstances, how would you react?
• Is it always wrong to take revenge?
• When should a man find a cave or cleft to hide in?

(H7785 & H3409) Enhanced Strongs Lexicon

Historians are not quite sure who to credit with the quote, "Absence makes the heart grow fonder," or "Time heals all wounds." In either case its not always true but it is in the heart of our hero. Were not sure how long it took but his disposition changed toward this wife and her betrayal. Like most guys who want to make amends they buy flowers or some other kind of gift. In a typical guy kind of fashion he secures a suitable gift and heads off to meet her most likely for a physical union.
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Unfortunately, since his anger was so hot the father assumed the marriage was over and Samson would hate her forever. With this in mind he gives Samson's wife to one of the companions who most likely was a Philistine. This of course infuriated our hero. Consequently, Samson rounded up 300 hundred foxes, tied their tails together and set fires ablaze in the Philistines grain stores, fields, and olive orchards as vengeance.

- How do you act when your expectations are not met?
- How do you feel when someone you think you love betrays you?
- Is it always wrong to take vengeance on someone who has wronged you?

As was the custom for weddings at the time, the Philistine people gathered some thirty young men as companions to be with him (11). These men were to serves as bridegrooms’ and part of a seven-day feast and celebration. At the beginning of this feast, our hero decides to test his thirty guests with a riddle (12) and a wager which amounted to thirty linen garments and changes of clothing (13). What he didn’t expect was for his “wedding companions” to intimidate and frighten his new wife. They were so bent on winning they terrified her, if she didn’t cooperate, they would burn her and her family (15). Fearing them more than fearing God or her husband, she uses tears and pressure to manipulate Samson into explaining the riddle. At the end of the week, she nags him so much he gives in and tells her the answer (16-17). 

It’s not hard to imagine that Samson feels like he has them over a barrel and is most likely proud of himself for being so clever. Scooping honey from the carcass of the lion was an isolated incident, an event his companions would have had no complete knowledge unless they were there. Without the help of his wife, it would be almost impossible for these guys to solve or save face. At the end of the week, his “Philistine companions” give the answer and foul his plans for winning the game. If they had not manipulated his wife, they would not have solved the riddle. Samson could kill a lion with his bare hands, but he could not overcome the flow of tears nor the continuing pressure of an attractive woman. 

- What motives are behind the riddle?
- Have you ever let someone talk you into doing something you did not want to do or reveal?
- What lessons can you learn about this chink in his armor?

• ​This is an interesting situation. Samson and his parents decide to travel down to Timnah a town originally captured by Joshua (19:43) and a part of Judah’s inheritance (15:57). Unfortunately, it’s under Philistine control. As he was entering into enemy territory our hero decided to separate himself from his parents and take the scenic path through a vineyard. Were not told the reason why but its not hard to assume there may be other attractive women working in the fields. Like most young men he has an appetite for female eye candy.  

While taking this scenic tour a lion leaps out and attacks our isolated hero and the next Judge for the nation. Like most attacks we can imagine the lion roaring to scare its prey into submission. Fortunately for him, the Spirit of the Lord rushed upon him and using his bare hands Samson tears the lion into pieces. This is the first instance of Samson’s incredible power which is fueled by the Holy Spirit (6). After reuniting with his parents, he purposely did not share his first incredible demonstration of superhuman strength.

Verse seven gives us another glimpse into Samson’s thinking, “Then he went down and talked with the woman, and she was right in Samson’s eyes.” This is the fourth time in seven verses that refer to his mind and eyes.

Later when he returns for another visit, Samson comes upon the lion’s carcass which is filled with bees and honey. Seeing the honey, he decides to feed his flesh by gleaning a handful to enjoy on the way. Unfortunately, this is an early indication of Samson’s incredible appetite even at the potential defiling as a Nazarite. He was never to go near a dead body which would make him unclean (Nu 6:6-7).

- Are there times when the lions roar scares you into a certain action?
- What are ways the enemy of God attempts to frighten his men?
- Are your eyes wandering where they shouldn’t look?
- Are you tasting or touching things that are unhealthy for you?

Some people feel Samson was in love, but others view this situation as a man burning in lust.  In his mind he was in love with an attractive foreign woman, and he was ready for marriage. When he sought parental approval for her hand in matrimony his parents questioned his judgement. They asked him, “Is there not a woman among the daughters of your relatives, or among all our people that you must take a wife from the uncircumcised Philistines?” His response, “Get her for me, for she is right in my eyes.” This is the third time in this chapter that refers to his vision. Consequently, he refused to listen to them and consider their advice. Samson is a man living by sight and not by faith.

His parents disagreed with his choice of women and tried to talk him out of this relationship, yet according to verse 4 God is behind this whole scenario. In this situation the Lord is showing His sovereignty and yet using a man’s personal weaknesses to do His divine will. Amazing! God was managing Samson the judge to seek an occasion to avenge the enemies of His people. And like so many of us today, we do not always understand or recognize His actions.

As we will see in future observations, Samson is a man who demonstrates strength and power to men but is easily seduced and ultimately manipulated by women of poor character.
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-  Are you easily swayed by glamor and glitz?
- Do you listen and weigh the advice given by family and spiritual leaders?