Judges 16:23-31
23 Now the lords of the Philistines gathered together to offer a great sacrifice to Dagon their god, and to rejoice. And they said:
“Our god has delivered into our hands
Samson our enemy!” 24 When the people saw him, they praised their god; for they said:
“Our god has delivered into our hands our enemy,
The destroyer of our land,
And the one who multiplied our dead.”
Samson our enemy!” 24 When the people saw him, they praised their god; for they said:
“Our god has delivered into our hands our enemy,
The destroyer of our land,
And the one who multiplied our dead.”
25 So it happened, when their hearts were merry, that they said, “Call for Samson, that he may perform for us.” So they called for Samson from the prison, and he performed for them. And they stationed him between the pillars. 26 Then Samson said to the lad who held him by the hand, “Let me feel the pillars which support the temple, so that I can lean on them.” 27 Now the temple was full of men and women. All the lords of the Philistines were there—about three thousand men and women on the roof watching while Samson performed.
28 Then Samson called to the LORD, saying, “O Lord GOD, remember me, I pray! Strengthen me, I pray, just this once, O God, that I may with one blow take vengeance on the Philistines for my two eyes!” 29 And Samson took hold of the two middle pillars which supported the temple, and he braced himself against them, one on his right and the other on his left. 30 Then Samson said, “Let me die with the Philistines!” And he pushed with all his might, and the temple fell on the lords and all the people who were in it. So the dead that he killed at his death were more than he had killed in his life.
31 And his brothers and all his father's household came down and took him, and brought him up and buried him between Zorah and Eshtaol in the tomb of his father Manoah. He had judged Israel twenty years.
28 Then Samson called to the LORD, saying, “O Lord GOD, remember me, I pray! Strengthen me, I pray, just this once, O God, that I may with one blow take vengeance on the Philistines for my two eyes!” 29 And Samson took hold of the two middle pillars which supported the temple, and he braced himself against them, one on his right and the other on his left. 30 Then Samson said, “Let me die with the Philistines!” And he pushed with all his might, and the temple fell on the lords and all the people who were in it. So the dead that he killed at his death were more than he had killed in his life.
31 And his brothers and all his father's household came down and took him, and brought him up and buried him between Zorah and Eshtaol in the tomb of his father Manoah. He had judged Israel twenty years.
Samson had a noble death in that he was able to kill more enemies of God’s people in death than in life while judging Israel. It was seemingly not so noble to take revenge for the Philistines taking his eyes, yet they took them and him through deception, depriving Samson of the strength given by the LORD to defeat them. When tied between two pillars of the pagan temple to amuse and entertain them, he called on God to think of him and his calling, along with his service and suffering. One can infer that he also thought of the enemies of the LORD and honoring His name and that of Israel as well when he prayed for the strength to take vengeance and the idol temple with its followers gathered to mock God’s people as well. God answered with the might needed to topple the temple and bury all those Philistine adversaries with the same final act. After judging Israel for twenty years, his reign came to an end and he was buried with his father. He would be the final judge before an ill-fated avenue to take a king like the nations was taken as God’s people spiraled down and further away from following Him. We can learn from the example of Samson and Israel of what not to do, as well as some things we should do. Hebrews 13:7 tells us to imitate or follow the actions of our spiritual leaders based on the faith and results aligning with God’s word and will; those things which honor Him are to be imitated, not those which do not. Samson relied on the LORD for his strength as we must also, but in righteousness and boldness in being valiant for the truth of the gospel. We must not follow his examples of immortality or unequal yoking with unbelievers. We are to fight the good fight against spiritual forces (Ephesians 6:12) bit not physically kill our opponents set against God’s chosen people which includes both those of the elect of Israel and Gentile together. Revelation 6:10 tells us of our desire for vengeance, but it is for God’s name and honor and glory, not our personal retribution. From Israel’s example, we must not imitate the drifting away (Hebrews 2:1) and gravitation to other idols of worship out of ungodly and misplaced desires (1 John 2:15-16), but on what pleases Him in obedient following (1 John 2:17). He wants our hearts to follow with our feet catching up as we journey in our sanctification (Psalm 119:32). There is much to learn from Samson’s life and death. May we have a noble life and death to honor our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.
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