Valentine’s Day is approaching, and what better way to set the mood than with a captivating love story? While perhaps not as universally known as the tale of Romeo and Juliet, the story of Samson and Delilah is filled with romance, action, and tragedy.
Judges 13:2-5 shows us that Samson was no ordinary man. The prophecy foretelling his birth arose during a tumultuous period when the Israelites were subject to the rule of the Philistines.
2 Now there was a certain man from Zorah, of the family of the Danites, whose name was Manoah; and his wife was barren and had no children.
3 And the Angel of the Lord appeared to the woman and said to her, “Indeed now, you are barren and have borne no children, but you shall conceive and bear a son.
4 Now therefore, please be careful not to drink wine or similar drink, and not to eat anything unclean.
5 For behold, you shall conceive and bear a son. And no razor shall come upon his head, for the child shall be a Nazirite to God from the womb; and he shall begin to deliver Israel out of the hand of the Philistines.”
In verse 24 the scripture shows us that God was with him as a child.
24 So the woman bore a son and called his name Samson; and the child grew, and the Lord blessed him.
Personally, I have mixed feelings about Samson because, to me, he appeared quite aggressive in addition to his weakness for women. Every chapter related to the story of Samson depicts some form of murder or destructive anger, which raises the question of whether it’s justified or an abuse of his divine power.
Samson & his wife
In Judges 14:1-3 We see how Samson informed his parents that he had found himself a wife. However, his parents were against this marriage because she was a Philistine, from a nation with which the Israelites frequently had conflicts.
His wife manipulated him into revealing the answers to a riddle, causing him to lose a bet. In anger, he killed innocent people who had nothing to do with the bet.
In Judges 15 We see how his wife ended up with his best man, and in anger, Samson set fields—of people who again had nothing to do with his problems—on fire. They retaliated by burning his wife and her father, and their act of revenge made him go on a rampage, slaughtering people. This is the perfect example of a destructive cycle.
From this short story, my perception of Samson isn’t very positive. He had a temper, lacked wisdom, didn’t know how to communicate properly, and believed violence was the solution for everything. Neither he nor his wife are good examples of what partners ought to be.
Samson & Delilah
Shortly before Samson became involved with Delilah, he was with a harlot, where once again he caused a disturbance and destroyed property on his way out.
Delilah was a woman with an agenda. She was tasked by the lords of the Philistines to discover Samson’s weakness Judges 16:4-6.
She didn’t even sugarcoat her question; instead, she blatantly asked him how he could be subdued. Despite the glaring red flag, Samson time upon time ignored it and entertained her wicked intentions.
Each time he fabricated a weakness, he coincidentally faced an attack using the same method he had made up. Time upon time, he failed to recognize the red flags and alarm bells surrounding Delilah (Judges 16:7-14).
Like most men, Samson eventually gave in to the request of his woman, and this was the catalyst of his downfall. Judges 16:18-21.
The death of Samson
In Judges 16:23-31
We see how the Philistines locked him up, made fun of him, and rejoiced at his suffering. His last prayer to God was for the strength to kill all the people in the temple. This wish ironically depicts who Samson was as a person. He didn’t ask for forgiveness, neither did he reflect on his actions. All he cared about was revenge and murder. His wish was granted, and he died with the Philistines present in the temple.
Samson may have been the strongest man, but he definitely wasn’t very smart. He repeatedly chose the wrong type of women, who brought trouble upon him, and every time he was faced with difficulties or obstacles, he reacted with violence.
I know God wanted to use him to punish the Philistines, hence the supernatural power, BUT I believe if he had lived his life correctly, he would have had an honorable death and a legacy worth remembering. He was supposed to deliver Israel out of the hands of the Philistines, and looking back at the story, can we really say he fulfilled his destiny?
When searching for a partner, we should look beyond the physical aspect. Consider their background, both spiritually and physically. Pay attention to what the people around you are saying about them, and assess their character traits. Also, take note of who they are associated with, as this can provide valuable insights into their values and lifestyle (Proverbs 13:20 Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm).
Christians often highlight the story of Samson and Delilah to illustrate the dangers of deceitful women, yet they overlook Samson’s own flaws. From my perspective as a woman, Samson doesn’t make a good partner choice. He lacks leadership skills, foresight, and self-control. His aggressive nature and failure to learn from past mistakes are concerning traits in a partner. Additionally, his disregard for advice and tendency to act impulsively are huge red flags. Ultimately, a man who can’t control his emotions and actions isn’t attractive or suitable for a healthy relationship. Similarly, a manipulative woman like Delilah brings toxicity and danger to those around her.
I disagree with the notion that love is blind. Love has many qualities, including honesty, purity, critical thinking, and care, but it is not blind. As children of God, we shouldn’t allow ourselves to be carried away by emotions and ignore the signs that God presents to us. Ultimately, the choices we make are ours to bear, and we must be prepared to face the consequences of those decisions.
This season, let us not become overly focused on romance and lust. Instead, let us allow God to guide us and lead us to the person who will uplift and support our destiny, rather than dragging us down at every step.
Stay Blessed x
2 responses to “Biblical Stories Unpacked: the Love Story of Samson and Delilah”
May God bless you for this wonderful message.
Amen!