- Samson (v. 1-22)
- Samson’s (v. 1-3)
- Samson’s last (v. 4-17)
- Samson (v. 18-22)
- The and the beginning (v. 23-31)
Going Deeper
1. Samson sleeps with a prostitute in Judges 16:1. He continues to be ruled by his senses. Are there areas in your life you struggle with your senses ruling over you? Read Romans 13:13-14. What are we called to do as Christians? How can we do this?
2. The Samson and Delilah relationship is toxic. It is clear what Delilah is trying to do by asking Samson about the source of his strength. Why do you think Samson stayed with Delilah?
3. Read Matthew 5:29-30. Is Jesus speaking literally? How can we “cut off our hand” or “gouge out our eye” in order to live a pure life?
4. Sometimes we might stay in a toxic relationship because we are trying to help someone who is particularly needy. Tim Keller describes it:
“Often one person in a relationship is needy and constantly in trouble, and the other person is the counselor-rescuer. How the needy person uses the rescuer is obvious. What is less obvious is that the rescuer is using the needy person as well. He or she needs them to get a sense of worth and/or a sense of moral superiority. He/she needs to be needed.”
How can we wisely set boundaries in our relationships?
5. (From Tim Keller) Where in your life do you need to rely on God’s grace instead of your own strength? How would doing this change your actions and increase your joy?
6. (From Tim Keller) How does the manner and achievement of Samson’s death move you to appreciate and praise the Lord Jesus for his?
7. (From Tim Keller) How are you feeling weak today? It is God’s strength that matters – how will knowing that enable you to have peace and purity in your weakness?
8. Read Judges 16:23-24. The real conflict was not between Samson and the Philistines, it was between the Lord and Dagon. How does the Lord win the victory in the rest of Judges 16? How does Samson’s heart seem to change?
9. In what ways does Samson’s death point to Jesus’ death? How is Jesus a better Samson (a better hero)?
10. Samson is included in Hebrews 11:32-34 as one who lived by faith. How did he live by faith? How does his inclusion give you hope today?
11. When considering Samson’s life Daniel Block says:
“In their fallen condition men often operate selfishly either out of a desire to satisfy their lustful appetites or out of a degenerate need to control. But this is not because they are men.Biblical norms of male conduct call for the highest respect for women, who also are created in the image of God and endowed with equal majesty and dignity.”
-Daniel Bock
A current, widespread ideology says, “men oppress because they are men.” This is false. Not all men are oppressors. And men who oppress do not do it because they are men, but because they are sinful. Samson, like the rest of Israel, had been Canaanized. He was worldly and immoral. His conduct was not a result of his maleness, but his sinfulness.
Men are called to treat every woman like mothers, sisters, our daughters. If you are married, you are called to be faithful to your wife. Love your wife as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.
12. Samson had a high calling to begin to save Israel from the Philistines. In what ways did he fall short? In what ways did he succeed?
13. Like Samson, God has called us to serve. Are we good stewards of what he has given us? Daniel Block says, “Samson wasted his life playing with the gifts God had given him and indulging in every sensual adventure he desired…Those who are called into divine service must focus their energies on the divine agenda rather than getting sidetracked into personal adventures.”
In what ways do you find yourself being sidetracked into personal adventures rather than serving the Lord? Pray, and ask the Holy Spirit to show you how you can serve the Lord faithfully today.
