Samson- A Faithful Example

I’ve been thinking a lot about Samson’s story.  We first learn about him in Judges Chapter 13 with the prophetic announcement of his birth and calling.  He was to be a Nazirite, set apart for the purpose of the Lord, and a deliverer of Israel from the hands of the Philistines.  It is widely accepted among scholars that Samson’s life was a string of what-not-to-do’s.  On the surface, it seems he is a willful, prideful man, filled with contempt for the law and his calling.  While I would agree it seems his vices took grip of him for a period, I think if we look carefully we actually would find a true, faithful man who had a real relationship with the Lord; which would explain the seemingly perplexing honorable mention in the Hebrews’ hall of faith. (Heb 11:32)

I’d like to zero in on Judges Chapter 14.  But before we get there, I believe the last verse in Chapter 13 is crucial in understanding the Lord’s perspective of Samson’s life.  Judges 13:25 begins, “And the Spirit of the Lord began to move him at times. . .”

This is the verse leading into a chapter filled with ridicule from commentaries and scholars alike.  You see, Chapter 14 is filled with events where Samson completely ignores the religious law and Nazirite rules.

In the Old Testament the Lord chose a select few on which to bestow His Spirit.  A true Nazirite was one of these people.  They were different during that time because the Spirit had not yet been released on everyone, which was only made possible by Christ’s sacrifice.  The beauty of the cross is that we all can have this close relationship with God, and the Spirit of the Lord moves us too.  This is why I believe it is important to learn from Samson as a man who truly knew God, and was motivated by His Spirit.

The chapter opens with Samson demanding his parents to get a Philistine woman for his wife.  Hold on, red flag!!!  The Lord was clear with the Israelites that they were not to intermix with women of the land they had been given (Duet. 7:3-4).  Samson’s parents knew this and tried to persuade Samson to marry one of his kinsmen.  His response was simple, “she is all right in my eyes.”

Samson was born during a very dark period for the Israelites, and it was recorded that each did what was right in their own eyes.  Samson’s response may have been a reflection of the depravity of his culture.  However, we see in the next verse this is not the case with Samson.  Verse 4a says, “His father and mother did not know that it was of the Lord. . .”  This, I believe, is the difference between a man motivated by the Spirit of God and one motivated by the moral depravity of a fallen society.  From God’s perspective, it is written “He sought an occasion for assailing the Philistines.” (vs 4b)

I believe this perspective is further supported by the events which unfolded on their way to Timnah, in order to meet the woman Samson wanted as his wife.

“Then Samson and his father and mother went down to Timnah and came to the vineyards of Timnah.  And behold, a young lion roared against him.

And the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon him, and he tore the lion as he would have torn a kid, and he had nothing in his hand; but he did not tell his father or mother what he had done.

And he went down and talked with the woman, and she pleased Samson well. 

And after a while he returned to take her, and he turned aside to see the body of the lion, and behold, a swarm of bees and honey were in the body of the lion.

And he scraped some honey out into his hands and went along eating.  And he came to his father and mother and gave them some, and they ate it; but he did not tell them he had taken the honey from the body of the lion.” (Judges 14: 5-9)

Oh dear, this is where religious scholars have a fit.  Once again Samson was breaking the rules.  By law, touching the carcass of a dead animal would make him unclean, and Samson had taken vows to remain clean as a Nazirite.

Again, if we are focused on God and His purpose, and remain steadfast in our conviction that Samson was motivated by the Spirit, we see a profound message in this strange story about a lion.  I believe this was a prophetic encounter and through it God was revealing His purpose not only for Samson, but for the world.  It seems Samson knew it was a divine encounter and the message was heavy on his mind.  So much so that he made his experience into a riddle.  Perhaps he was searching for it’s meaning.

“And he said to them, Out of the eater came forth food, and out of the strong came forth sweetness.”  Judges 14:14a

Here’s what I see in this encounter.  God was revealing Samson’s fate.  That he would die, but in his death God would bring forth sweetness.  I believe this encounter tells of  deliverance and salvation.  That God would use Samson’s death to deliver and save the Israelites.  As with most prophesy, this also could be a foretelling of Christ who would die for all so we could live in God’s sweet presence through the Holy Spirit.

From this perspective, Samson’s life takes on a whole new meaning of profound consequence.  His life becomes that of a type of Christ, yet another glimpse of relationship and salvation to come.

Yes, I do believe Samson’s life is an example of great faith worthy of mention in the book of Hebrews.  May we learn to see our life, and other’s, not from the perspective of sin, but through the light of God’s salvation and purpose.  We may understand better that we were designed for a reason of great consequence.  That we, like Samson, are filled and motivated by the Holy Spirit, even when it looks like a disaster from the perspective of the world.  

If you would like to read more about Samson, please go here.