Delilah's Evil Plan Part 4

By Mary Vee
Judges 16

Delilah's Journal

Last night I learned the secret of Samson's strength. 


How do I know? 


Well, when he told me tying fresh bowstrings or a new rope around his body, or weaving his seven locks into a loom would make him weak he didn't look straight at me. But last night, he look straight at my eyes and said, "If I am shaven, then my strength will leave me."


When Samson left I called a messenger. "Go to the Philistine lords and say, 'Please, come to my house once more. Samson has told me the truth about his super strength.'"


Not long after the messenger left, a group of Philistine lords knocked on my door. "You better be telling the truth, Delilah. We don't like this game."


I opened the door and waved them in. "Yes. I understand your concern. I am convinced Samson told me the truth this time."


The leader rolled his eyes. "Yes? Well, what did he say?"


I closed the door and glanced toward the window to make sure no one could hear. "If his hair is shaven he will lose his strength."


The Philistine lords rubbed their hands together and wiggled their eyebrows. "Good. Tonight we capture Samson!"


Sure enough the Philistine lords returned to my house before Samson arrived for dinner. They hid in the back room as they had the other times. While waiting for Samson I cooked a special meal and had his wine poured.


Samson arrived at the same time as the other evenings. He stood at the door and closed his eyes. "Delilah, the meal smells extra wonderful tonight. Good thing, I'm extra hungry."


I moved aside to let him in. "I'm glad you're here, Samson. I made your favorite supper." I set the food on the table and sat near him. He asked for more food. I gave him all that he wanted.


When he finished he patted his stomach. "I'm full. You served your best wine tonight, Delilah. Are we celebrating?"


I shook my head. "No. I wanted you to feel special. Here lean this way and rest."


He rested his head with his face down. Soon he snored.  I waved the Philistine's out of their hiding place. "One of you must shave his seven locks while I make sure Samson stays asleep."


One of the lords pulled out a razor. He worked slowly and gently to shav each of Samson's seven locks of hair to keep from waking him.  When Samson's head was shaved, the lords stepped back into the shadows.


Once they were hidden I shook Samson. He didn't wake. I shook him harder until his eyes blinked. "The Philistines are upon you, Samson!"


He opened his eyes and rubbed them. "Don't worry, Delilah. I'll go out, like I did the other times and shake myself free."  He laughed. But as he sat up, his arms and legs wobbled. His back ached from leaning over in his sleep. A cool breeze snapped at his head, his bald head.


Samson raised his hand to his head and touched. His eyes grew as wide as apples. "What happened to my hair?"


Before he could take a breath the Philistine lords rushed forward and tied him so he couldn't move. "Now you will be our slave, Samson! You'll pay for all you've done to the Philistines."


One of the lords tossed a bag of money on the table. "Thank you, Delilah. Well done. Enjoy you money."


Samson didn't look at me. He couldn't fight. He really was as weak as any man.


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1.  What did Delilah do wrong?
2.  Why did the Philistine lords want to capture Samson (look at the earlier stories for a clue)
3.  What did Samson do wrong? (hint, look at the last story)
4.  Where was Samson's strength?
5.  What did you learn from this story?




Photo courtesy of Blue Letter Bible Images