Judges 16
Leaders Prep Section
Watch this video, read these notes, and send the pre-written email (below) to your group 2-3 days before you meet.
Notes
Samson’s strength is obvious. On one hand you could say he controlled everyone around him. But on the other hand, if we look at the outcomes of his life, it’s reasonable to ask whether he controlled anything.
Group Guide Starts Here
Context of scripture
Both the Israelites and Philistines want Samson dead. He has disrupted the economic and political balance between two states that could easily go to war. And according to the text, he may not even know it; he’s acting in response to things done to him personally.
Read Judges 16: 1-3
City gates during this time were typically two stories high. Gaza, where he ripped the gate posts out, to the top of the hill in front of Hebron is an elevation change of over 2000 feet and distance of 35 miles.
The immediate coordination to ambush and kill Samson implies a bounty was set on him across the Philistine nation.
The FBI’s “10 most wanted” list, created in 1950 under FBI Director J Edgar Hoover, was originally created to identify the toughest to apprehend. The list is still active today. Can you name five people that have been on that list?
Pick anyone on that list and imagine hearing that God directed this person’s crimes. Would you believe it? If you somehow had to accept it as fact, would it make you feel differently about God?
Read Judges 16: 4-14
Delilah is actually a Hebrew name, although most believe she was a Philistine. Her name means “dainty one.”
There were likely five lords representing the five Philistine regions, making the actual bounty 5,500 shekels of silver. The number was beyond exorbitant…more than three times the weight of gold Gideon keeps after his victory (Judges 8:26). In comparison, all other references to silver in the Old Testament are in the low hundreds.
After coordinating a manhunt, setting an ambush, and mobilizing armies, the Philistines weaponize an attractive woman.
Put these in order of what could lure you the most:
An amazing woman (as beautiful as you want to imagine),
Wealth (any amount you want),
Longer life (healthy as a horse),
Or power (over anything)? (And no, you can’t say “power” to go get wealth and the woman.)
Read Judges 16: 15-22
Gouging eyes and forcing menial labor were common methods of humiliation against enemies. He was taken to Gaza, possibly to recompense for taking their gate.
Notice Samson tells her he is a Nazarite, set apart for God’s use. Upon hearing this, Delilah knows he’s telling the truth. This implies Delilah knew of Israel’s history and the role God played against their enemies.
From the beginning of the story of Samson, God lured Samson to want a Philistine woman (Judges 14:4). All the dominos fell from there. What do you think Samson was to God?
Read Judges 16: 23-31
Using Samson, God has brought the Philistines and Israelites into greater level of conflict.
Do you think Samson ever understood the role God wanted him to play?
If you were Samson, would you feel you deserved any explanation?
Did God kill Samson and, in your view, was it a “just” killing?