Judges:Hope For Troubled Times

Chapters 15-16

“Samson and Delilah”25 Jan 12

Announcements

Judges and RuthWeek Date Topic

1 07 Dec 11 Overview – Judges and Ruth

2 14 Dec 11 Israel’s Success and Failure: Judges 1:1-2:5

3 21 Dec 11 Oppression and Deliverance: Judges 2:6-3:31

4 28 Dec 11 Deborah, Gideon: Judges 4-6

5 04 Jan 12 Gideon’s Success and Failure: Judges 7:1-10:5

6 11 Jan 12 Jephthah the Judge: Judges 10:6-12:15

7 18 Jan 12 Samson and His Exploits: Judges 13-14

8 25 Jan 12 Samson and Delilah: Judges 15-16

9 01 Feb 12 Auditorium

10 08 Feb 12 A Levite and His Concubine: Judges 17-19

11 15 Feb 12 The War with Benjamin: Judges 20-21

12 22 Feb 12 Ruth and Naomi Return to Bethlehem: Ruth 1-2

13 29 Feb 12 Ruth and Boaz are Married: Ruth 3-4

Today’s Objectives• Review past lesson, Judges 13-14• Provide an historical background and timeline for

this weeks lesson• Review historical maps of Israel and the region• Read Judges 15 and 16• Examine both the strengths and weaknesses of

Samson’s character as exhibited in his capture and death

• Examine our own spiritual strengths and weaknesses• Sense our own need to grow in strength with God

Historical Background• Jewish traditions states Samuel wrote Judges• Written around 1050 B.C. and covered the period from

1375 B.C. to 1050 B.C.–Death of Joshua to the beginning of the monarchy– Israel’s form of government was a theocracy–God alone was their King–God raises up a series of judges between Joshua’s death

and the coronation of Saul–Major and minor judges; most did not rule over all

• Depressing period in Israel’s history–Cycle of sin, oppression, repentance, and deliverance–Spiritual compromise was the norm of Israel–God sends powerful oppressors to counter spiritual

compromise

Historical Background• Judges 15-16 – 1075 B.C. to 1055 B.C.–Samson raised as a Judge from tribe of Dan–Tiglath-Pileser I dies 1076

•Succeeded by his son Asharid-apal-Ekur (1076-1074 B.C.)•Succeeded by his brother Ashur-bel-kala (1074-1056 B.C.)

–Samuel born around 1100 B.C.

–Battle of Aphek (1075 B.C.) against the Philistines–Battle of Mizpah (1055 B.C.) against Philistines–Philistine oppression 1095-1055 B.C.

–Philistines worship the Dagon–20th Egyptian dynasty (Ramses III – XI)

•End of the “New Kingdom” in 1075 B.C divides Egypt

Dagon – Fish God

Tribe of Dan• Name– Fifth son of Jacob by Bilhah, maid of Rachel– Name means “judge” (Gen 30:6)– Jacob’s blessing, “Dan shall judge his people (Gen

49:16)– Dan will be a serpent on the roadside, a viper along the

path (49:17)• Leading characteristics– Unsteady– Unscrupulous– Violent– Grim humor– Stealthy in tactics

Samson’s Vengeance on the Philistines 15:1-20• Samson returns to Timnah– To see his wife (15:1)– She had been given in marriage to another– Samson burns the wheat, grape, and olive crops (15:5)

• Philistines want revenge– Burn Samson’s wife and father-in-law (15:6)

• Samson's revenge– Kills many Philistines, then hides (15:8)

• Philistines seek to kill Samson– Samson’s willingly turns himself over to men of Judah– In the process of being turned over to the Philistines,

Samson breaks loose and kills 1000 Philistines• Samson led Israel for 20 years

• Samson visits Gaza–Gaza is one of the five principle Philistine cities–Saw a prostitute and “spent the night with her” (16:1)

• People of Gaza react–Surround the place and wait for him at the city gate–“At dawn we will kill him”

• Samson reacts–Stays only until the middle of the night–Tears down the doors of the city gate–Carried them to the top of the hill that faces Hebron

Samson Shows His Strength and Weakness (16:1-3)

• Philistines use Delilah to lure Samson– Samson falls in love– Delilah from the Valley of Sorek (16:4)– Philistines want to user her to find the secret of Samson’s

strength (16:5)• Delilah’s encounter with Samson– What is the source of his strength, how to subdue him– Seven fresh bowstrings (16:7)– Ties Samson up with the bowstrings for the Philistines– Samson escapes– She tries two more times (16:11-14)– Both attempts fail

Samson Meets Delilah (16:4-14)

•Delilah continue to prod Samson–“Day after day” (16:16)–He finally capitulates –If his hair is cut, he will loses his strength (16:17)•Delilah helps the Philistines subdue Samson–Has someone shave off the seven braids of his hair–His strength left him (16:18)–The Spirit of God had left him (16:20)–Philistines gouge out his eyes and take him to Gaza –Ends up on prison (16:21)–Hair began to grow again (16:22)

Samson Tells a Secret (16:15-22)

• Philistines assemble to honor Dagon– For delivering Samson (16:23)– Praised their god (16:24)– Asked for Samson to be brought out– To entertain them (16:25)– 3000 Philistines sat on the roof to watch (16:27)

• Samson asks God to restore his strength– To seek vengeance for the loss of his strength and sight– Knocks down the pillars supporting the structure– Kills many more that day than he ever did alive (16:30)

• Family recovered his body and buried him in the tomb of Manoah

Samson Destroys the Temple (16:23-31)

Review• Reviewed past lesson, Judges 13-14• Provided an historical background and timeline for

this weeks lesson• Reviewed historical maps of Israel and the region• Read Judges 15 and 16• Examined both the strengths and weaknesses of

Samson’s character as exhibited in his capture and death

• Examined our spiritual strengths and weaknesses• Sensed our own need to grow in strength with God