Study notes ▪ 2019Tags: Samson; Judges 13:1-16:31; Israel; Spiritual life; Philistia; Nazirite vowExcerpted from Profiles of the Judges
Description of Spiritual Failure
|
“And
the people of Israel again did what was evil in the sight of the LORD …”
(13:1). |
| Nation(s) Oppressing Israel |
Philistia
(13:1) |
| Nature of Foreign Oppression |
Domination
by the Philistines (14:4; 15:11) |
| Length of Foreign Oppression |
40
years (13:1) |
| Cry for Deliverance |
Not
recorded |
| Provenance of Judge |
Of
the tribe of Dan (13:2ff.) |
| Special Notes |
The
account of Samson’s life and service is one of the two longest profiles in the
book of Judges, being roughly equal in length to that of Gideon’s judgeship.
Samson’s entry onto the scene of Israel’s history was extraordinary. Born to
devout parents following a visit from the angel of Yahweh, he was commissioned
to adhere to a Nazirite lifestyle from conception to death (13:2-24).
Notwithstanding his strong spiritual heritage, Samson was morally impoverished,
a man who repeatedly made unwise choices rooted in sensuous desires and angry,
vengeful emotions. In his sovereignty and grace, God displayed the Spirit’s
power in the life of a disobedient judge (13:25; 14:6; 14:19; 15:14), thus
beginning to loosen the Philistines’ grip on his people. |
| Length of Judge’s Service |
20
years (15:20; 16:31) |
| Duration of Peace |
Consistent
with the word from the angel of the Lord, peace was not fully achieved under
Samson: “he shall begin to save Israel from the hand of the Philistines”
(13:5). |
|
|
