The Weak Man’s Strength

 – Judges 16

– This final ‘act’ of Samson’s story is the most well known and takes place in 3 distinct scenes:

I. Scene 1:  Samson and the Prostitute (vv. 1-3)

1)      Samson’s deepening sexual addiction (cf. Proverbs 6:20-35)

2)      Samson’s reputation in Gaza

a)      Samson is hated by the Philistines

b)      The brothel is immediately surrounded by his enemies

c)      God is using Samson’s foolish behaviour to stir up strife between the apathetic Israelites and the Philistines

3)      Storming the gates

a)      An incredible feat of strength

b)      A humiliating defeat for the Philistines

Application:  A foreshadowing of Jesus Christ    who stormed the gates of hell (cf. Matt 16:18)

II. Scene 2:  Samson and Delilah (vv. 4-22)

1)      Samson’s foolish pride

a)      Samson has now come to believe that he is invincible

b)      He is so enslaved by sinful addictions that he has thrown away all common sense and spiritual wisdom – “It is hard to say whether there appears here more of Samson’s weakness, or Delilah’s wickedness” – Matthew Henry

2)      Samson’s fall from grace

a)      Total disregard for his Nazarite Vow

i)        Philistines wrongly thought that the hair was magical

ii)       Samson wrongly thought that the hair was meaningless

iii)     Reminds us that there is a close connection between the ‘sign’ and the ‘thing signified’ (ie. Lord’s Supper)

b)      Abandoned by God

i)        God’s removes His blessing and power from Samson’s life at this point – extreme discipline – “If we sleep in the lap of our lusts, we shall certainly awake in the hands of the Philistines” – Henry

ii)       The greatest tragedy is that Samson didn’t even realize that God had left him

        Application:  Although God’s Spirit will never depart from a true Christian, our sin and disobedience will provoke God’s hand of discipline in our lives and upon our Churches (cf. 1 Sam 4:21; Rev 3:17)

III. Scene 3:  Samson’s Last Stand (vv. 23-31)

1)      The Strong man is now totally weak and helpless

2)      Samson’s shame has become God’s shame  (vv. 23-24)

a)      We are God’s ambassadors

b)      Careless and ungodly living in the world reflects not only on us, but on the God we have been called to represent

3)      In weakness Samson is made strong again

a)      Recognizes his dependence upon God through prayer

b)      Samson’s final request is still tainted by selfishness, but God still acts for His own glory

Application:  Samson’s victory in death points us forward to Jesus Christ and His victory at Calvary!