Samson's Victory

By Mary Vee
Judges 16

A Philistine Lad's Thoughts

Last night  I had been summoned to serve at the great celebration in honor of Dagon, our Philistine god. Thousands of the greatest Philistines would attend. I couldn't wait.


I must admit life had been boring since the mighty Hebrew Samson had been captured. I heard he'd lost his strength when the Philistine lords tricked him then shaved off his hair. 


We needed something exciting to happen, perhaps something will at the celebration


The night's event was to be the biggest ever. All the important Philistines and their wives had been invited. Those who hadn't been invited, that's me, would have to serve.I didn't mind. I wanted to see the important leaders up close. Maybe one would talk to me. 


From my work station I could see the guests parade into the temple. Some went to the roof where table had been set up to dine under the stars. There must have been thousands of people!


The highest ranking lords and their wives sat on the dais. When they ate, others ate. When the head lord spoke, everyone listened. After the meal the head lord raised his wine glass to honor our Philistine god, Dagon.  The crowd cheered. 


Then he said, "Our god has delivered into our hands Samson, our enemy!" The crowd cheered again saying, "Our god has delivered into our hands our enemy. The destroyer of our land. And the one who multiplied our dead."


The lords drank wine and had their cups refilled again and again. After a while, the head lord shouted, "Call for Samson that he may perform for us."


Prison guards dragged Samson like a dog.  He couldn't see where to go since they took out his eyes. Samson stumbled and tripped. The crowds laughed louder with each mistake Samson made.


One prison guard called me to help him. "Lead Samson around. Don't worry, lad. He's as weak as a newborn cub."  Then he walked a few feet away to get a drink.


I wondered how this weak looking man could have done what the people said. His body had been beaten and his head hung low. Samson shifted his feet like he was feeling his way. 


Samson leaned forward and said, "Lad, let me touch the pillars which support the temple so that I can lean on them." 


I didn't see anything wrong with his request. He couldn't hurt anyone by leaning on the pillars. I tugged his hand to take him in the correct direction. "Here are the support pillars. You can lean on them."


Samson raised the palms of his hands and pressed them between the two pillars. Maybe he needed to stretch his arms. The muscles in his arms tightened as he stretched. 


Samson raised his head toward the sky and said, "O Lord God, remember me, I pray! Strengthen me, I pray, just this once, O God, that I may with one blow take vengeance on the Philistines for my two eyes!"


He pushed against the pillars, straightening his arms stiff. The crowd laughed again.


But I didn't. Samson's muscles grew larger. Something weird was happening.


He filled his lungs with air and pushed against the pillars. He shouted, "Let me die with the Philistines!" 


The pillar cracked. Pieces chipped.


He pushed harder. The sound scared me. I--I think Samson had his strength again!


I ran through the crowds like a rabbit to get away from the temple as fast as I could. The temple pillars cracked louder. Why weren't the people running with me? Could they see his strength had come back?


The Philistine Lords stood there watching, not moving. I ran faster, away from the screaming crowds. Outside the temple grounds I turned back and watched our temple smash into ruins. 


Samson didn't walk away. The temple fell on him, too. 


The mighty Samson called on his God to help him destroy Dagon's temple and killed the Philistine lords. His God answered his prayer. 


********************
1.  What were the Philistine lords celebrating?
2.  Who did they call to perform at the celebration?
3.  Who did they make fun of?
4.  What did Samson want the boy to do?
5.  What did Samson pray the first time?
6.  What did he pray the second time?  Why do you think he prayed this?
7.  What did God give Samson at this celebration?
8.  What happened to the temple?
9.  What did you learn from this story?

Samson's Failure

By Mary Vee
Judges 16

Samson's Thoughts

My great strength is gone.


My Israelite family had called me a man of super strength. Men and women, boys and girls marveled when I showed them what I could do. One time I snapped a huge city gate made of thick wood off it's hinges like it was a bird's feather then carried it to the top of a hill. Yes. The people called me the mighty Samson.


How could I have been so foolish?


I told Delilah my strength was in my hair. I trusted her. Sure, she asked where my strength came from three different times, but I thought she wanted to know more about me. When she tried the bowstrings, new rope, and loom to bind me, I thought it was a joke.  


Hah--hah. Some joke. She was a Philistine. Delilah had Philistine lords hiding in her home ready to pounce on me.


She gave me food and wine until I fell asleep then had my hair shaved. The Philistine lords grabbed me like a little school boy who misbehaved, wrapped chains around my arms and neck, and dragged me to their biggest city, Gaza. Along the way Philistines in the fields and in the city laughed, called me names, and spit at me.  "Look at the might Samson, now!"


I had disobeyed God.


I couldn't look at those Philistines any more. God gave me the mighty strength to conquer them and I didn't. I wanted to make friends with them. I liked their foods, their merchants, their entertainment. God sent me to flush them out of Israel, but I didn't. On a few occasions I conquered groups of Philistines when they made me mad, but I didn't conquer them all.  


The Philistines made me blind, but now I can see what needs to be done.


The Philistines threw me in their prison. They beat me and took out my eyes. The guards yanked the chains holding my arms like I was a naughty circus animal refusing to do what they wanted. I prayed to God each day. "Give me my strength Lord, that I may do your will. Give me another chance to conquer the Philistines."


Each day passed slowly, but God stayed with me.


I listened to the Philistines name calling; I did their work; I sat in their gloomy prison and ate their moldy bread. Each day my hair grew a little. I laughed to myself the day hair flopped onto my face. The more my hair grew, the stronger I became. The Philistines said, "He's getting his work done faster. Give him more." Little did they realize, my strength was returning.


One afternoon the Philistines led me out of the prison and threw water on me. "You have been summoned to entertain the Philistine lords at the great festival. Can't have you spoilin' their meal with your stinky body smell." 


My opportunity came. Lord let me serve you with strength tonight.


Come back to read what happens next.


*********************************
1.  Who captured mighty Samson?
2.  How did they capture him?
3.  What did Samson done wrong?
4.  How did Samson disobey God?
5.  What happened in prison?
6.  How did Samson change?
7.  What did Samson want to do?
8.  What did you learn from this story?

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.


*******************


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

Samson Trusts the Wrong Person

By Mary Vee
Judges 16


Reader: If you missed Delilah's stories from the last week you can click here.

Samson Journal

Delilah was a great cook. I'd visited her home the last several evenings, ate dinner, drank wine, and talked. 


Those nights were unusual, though. 


She made great dinners with the best wines, of course, and we laughed as we talked, but she kept bringing the conversation back to one question: where did I get my strength.


 I don't know. Maybe she thought my strength could be shared with someone else, maybe she--I couldn't tell. 


So I made up an answer the first two times she asked and didn't think much when she tied me with the fresh bowstrings or the new ropes. They snapped after I barely moved. I thought it was funny. She didn't


Delilah pouted after dinner again the next night. She cried as though I'd hurt her feelings when she asked what could bind my strength, like she didn't think I'd tell her the truth. Of course I wouldn't tell her the right answer. It was a secret.


Another crazy answer to her question popped into my head that time. So I answered: "If you weave the seven lock of my head into the web of a loom I will be as weak as any man." She stopped crying and we had a nice evening.


After dinner the next night, I fell asleep full of food and wine. About the time my dream made me laugh, she woke me shouting, "The Philistines are upon you, Samson!" I jolted upright and searched for the Philistines.  None were near. 


Another joke played on me. Hah hah. I felt something hanging from my hair. I reached back and found a piece of her loom.


"Delilah. Delilah. You honestly thought this loom would take my strength?" I laughed. She didn't think it was funny. She cried harder than all the other times.


She tucked her face into her apron and sobbed. "How can you say 'I love you' when you heart is not with me? You have mocked me three times refusing to tell me where your strength comes from."


Well, she begged and pleaded and cried and sobbed for days. 


My heart ached each time I went to her house. 


I decided the only way to make her stop sobbing would be to tell her the truth. "All right, Delilah. Stop crying. Here's the answer." She looked at my eyes and wouldn't move. I had to tell her the truth this time. "No razor has ever come upon my head, for I have been a Nazarite to God while I was still in my mother's womb. If I am shaven, then my strength will leave me." I sighed. "I will become weak like any other man."


A smile popped on her face. She giggled and blinked her eyes. At last, she stopped crying.. She brushed her fingers through my long hair and said, "Thank you."  


We laughed and talked like we use to for the rest of the evening until I fell asleep. Maybe I should have told her the secret days ago.


********


What do you think? 


Let's think about this.


*Who gave Samson his strength?
*Why  Samson keep the source of his strength a secret?
*Why did Delilah want to know the source of Samson's strength? (hint, look at the last three stories)
*Why did Samson tell Delilah his secret?
*What do you think will happen in the next story?


**What can we learn from this story? (if you need help, ask you parents, Pastor, or email me)

Delilah's Evil Plan Part 3

By Mary Vee
Judges 16

From Delilah's Journal

Samson tricked me last night. He said seven bowstrings could make him as weak as any other man.  It didn't work. 

When I showed him how he hurt my feelings he told me what would really bind him. He said, "If they bind me securely with new ropes that have never been used, then I will be as weak as any man."


A messenger stopped by at noon to deliver the new ropes. "The Philistine lord wanted me to remind you to tie these ropes securely. He also wanted to remind you of the eleven hundred pieces of silver you would earn."


I grabbed the ropes from his hands. "I know. I know. I don't need you to nag me."


He growled. "Yeah, well, make sure you do the job right this time."


I closed the door before he could say another word. How dare he speak to me like that?  He was only a messenger.  I grumbled a few more words then went to the kitchen to prepare another of Samson's favorite meals.

Before Samson arrived, the Philistine lords knocked on my door. "Let us in. We'll hide in the same place as we did last night."


"All right. All right. Don't get pushy."I opened the door and let them slip through to the back room.


Shortly after I finished making supper, Samson came to my house. He stopped for a moment, took a deep breath, and closed his eyes. "Yum, I smell the most delicious meal cooking. I'm so hungry I could eat a whole lion."

"Samson. I made this dish just for you." I held the door open for him. "Come in. Your food is ready." 


He finished the first plate I served him then ate three extra helpings. He sat back and patted his stomach. "Excellent. I couldn't eat another bite!" He yawned. "Your--good cooking--makes me sleepy."


I pushed his head back on the chair. "There now. Feel free to take a rest." 


He closed his eyes and snored before he could say another word. A few moments later, I dropped a dish to test him. He slept soundly.  


I pulled the new ropes out from the hiding place and tied them securely around his arms and legs. Next, I pulled on the knots to test their strength. Yup, tight as a drum skin.


I stepped back like I did the last time and shouted, "The Philistines are attacking you, Samson!"


He leaped to his feet and broke the new ropes as if they were thin threads.  Great. Now what?


Anger boiled in my blood. He tricked me again.  How many times would the Philistine lords let me try to bind Samson? How many times could I talk Samson into sleeping after dinner?

I pushed my hands on my hips and squinted. "All you've done is mocked me and told lies. Come on, Samson, tell me the truth. What could bind you?


He smiled at me like I was a little girl having a temper tantrum which only made me angrier.


He set his hands on my shoulders and sighed. "All right, Delilah. If you weave the seven locks of my head into the web of the loom I will become as weak as any man."


*********************************
Well, did it work? Come back to read what happened next.


1.  What did Delilah want to do?
2.  Why was she bothered in the beginning of today's story?
3.  How did Delilah bind Samson in this story?
4.  What happened?
5.  What new way did Samson tell Delilah to try?
6.  In part one of this story, Samson said, "If they bind me with.." who was he talking about?
7.  In part two of this story, Samson said, "If they bind me with..." who was he talking about this time?
8.  In part three (today's story), what did Samson say different?  Why?


Photo courtesy of Christianimageresource.com

Delilah's Evil Plan Part 2

By Mary Vee
Judges 16

From Delilah's Journal

Samson went out into my village for the day. 

While he did his errands I sneaked to the house of one of the Philistine lords and told him what Samson said. "If we bind him with seven fresh bowstrings, not yet dried, then he'll become weak like any other man."


The man nodded. "You'll have the bowstrings before noon. Once you've tied him up shout a signal for us to come. We'll hide in your house before he arrives." Then he shut the door.


At noon, a messenger brought the fresh strings. I hid them in the kitchen. Samson arrived at my house at dinner time. I cooked one of his favorite meals. He ate three extra portions then yawned. 

I smoothed his hair to make it flow down the outside of his chair. "Close your eyes and rest, Samson."


He yawned and closed his eyes. Moments later he snored. I made a sound with a dish to test if he slept deeply. He didn't move.  


I pulled the seven fresh bowstrings out from the hiding place and used them to tie him to the chair. When I finished, I tested the strength of my knots.  Perfect!


I stepped back from him and shouted, "The Philistines are attacking you, Samson!"  


He bolted to a standing position snapping the bowstrings like yarn when it touched fire. The strings fell to the floor. 

Samson looked at the floor and laughed. He held his stomach and laughed some more. "My dear, Delilah. You tied me with these little pieces of yarn?" He sat down and laughed again. "Aww, don't cry." 


I didn't know what to do.  What would the Philistine lords do to me?  Tears flowed down my cheeks. I couldn't stop sobbing. "You've mocked me, Samson. How could you lie to me?" I wiped my face with my sleeve but couldn't stop sobbing. "Please, dear Samson, tell me, what could bind you?"


He laughed once more then cleared his throat. "All right, my dear. I'll tell you. If they bind me securely with new ropes that have never been used, then I will become as weak as any other man."


He yawned. "Enough of these games."


When Samson left. the Philistine lords crept out of the house. "Well bring you new ropes at noon tomorrow. Let's hope they work, for your sake."

I closed the door behind them.


***********************
Come back to read what happens next.


1. Who is Delilah?
2. Who wanted to hurt Samson?
3. What did the Philistine lords bring to Delilah? Why?
4. Where did the Philistine lords hide? Why?
5. What happened when Delilah shouted, "The Philistines are attacking you, Samson!"
6. What question did Delilah ask when Samson laughed? Why?
7. Why did the Philistines want to hurt Samson?

Delilah's Evil Plan

By Mary Vee
Judges 16

From Delilah's Journal

Not long ago a strong Hebrew man named Samson came to my village. He visited often.

Everyone knew about Samson. He had the strength to lift a city gate from its hinge and carry it away. Most of the men stayed away from Samson, because of his strength yet none of them knew where Samson's strength came from.
 
One day Samson asked me to marry him. When other Philistines in my village heard the news they held a meeting and told me to come. 

The men pounded their fists on a table and shook their heads. One said, "We can't let Samson marry her. That Hebrew will live right here in our village. No telling what he'll do to us." 

Another stood. "We've all heard him say his God made him judge over Israel to conquer us. We Philistines aren't safe.  I say let's capture him before he can capture us."

The rest of the men shouted, "Yeah. Tie him up and make him do our work!"

The leader turned to me.  "Delilah, you must help us." 

I laughed. "What do you expect me to do? I'm not stronger than any of you."

He shook his head. "No. But you can learn where he gets his strength.  Once we know the source of his strength, we can take it away."  

The other men laughed and raised their hands. "Can you imagine? Samson as weak as a little puppy?  We'll tie him up and force him to do all our work!" They cheered together.

The leader turned to me again. "You must help us, Delilah. If you'll find the source of Samson's strength we'll each pay you eleven hundred pieces of silver."


They stared at me, waiting for my answer. I didn't know how I would get Samson to tell me the source of his strength, but for eleven hundred pieces of silver I was willing to try. "All right. I'll ask him. I won't promise you an answer--but I'll ask."

The men cheered. "Delilah. Delilah the one who will conquer Samson."

After supper I gave Samson a drink and pulled a stool close to him to rest his feet. He smiled and laid his head back to rest.

Now was my chance to ask. "Um, Samson. I have a question."

He took a sip of his drink. "Yes?"

"Samson, you're stronger than any other man I know. Please. Will you tell me where your great strength lies? What could possibly bind you to overpower your strength?"

He stroke his beard and thought for a moment. "Well, dear Delilah, if someone bound me with seven fresh bowstrings, not yet dried, then I would become weak like any other man." He took another sip of his drink. "But have no fear, I won't loose my strength."

The next day I reported Samson's answer to the leaders.

****************************
Come back next week, Wednesday to read more of this story.

1. Was Delilah a Philistine or a Hebrew?
2. Why were the men of this Philistine village afraid of Samson?
3. What did they do when they heard Samson wanted to marry Delilah?
4. What was their plan?
5. How much did they offer to pay Delilah?
6. Did she agree?
7. Who gave Samson his strength?
8. Why--what was Samson's job?
9. What did you learn from this story?

Samson Outsmarts the Philistines

By Mary Vee

Samson's Thoughts

I'm not sure why I liked to visit Philistine cities. With all the trouble they've given the Israelites you'd think I'd learn to stay away.  But I didn't.  One day I went to Gaza and met Delilah. 


I went to her house for dinner. That night, though, I heard odd rustling sounds outside the window. At first I thought the wind blew bush branches, but then a pshwa, shewee, shewoo noise sounded. Sure seemed like whispering to me. 


Hmmmmmmm. Had to be Philistines. Question was, how many Philistines tried to hide outside that window? I glance at Delilah. She didn't seem to hear the sounds. Odd. That noise was not my imagination. Philistines were outside the window.


A little while later a pshwa, shewee, shewoo noise came from the other side of the house. And a few birds took off from a nearby tree, like something spooked them. The house had to be surrounded by Philistines looking to kill me.


I needed a plan.


Since the men outside hadn't blasted through the door they'd probably planned to attack in the morning. If I left in the middle of the night I could surprise those Philistines with my own plan.


At midnight, I saw Delilah sound asleep then sneaked to the door. Once outside, I glanced around and didn't see anyone. I listened for a moment. Sure enough soldier snores came from all around the house. I was right, they planned to attack me in the morning. Hah, they fell asleep at their post!


I crept through the line of men and walked to the city gate. 


Since the sun had gone down, the city gate had been closed. I pressed my hand on the thick doors and the posts.  At that moment, a brilliant idea popped into my mind. I could pull the door off the hinge and remove the posts. Yes. The Philistines couldn't hold me prisoner.


With God's strength, I yanked the doors off their hinge then set them on the ground. Next I pulled the posts out of their anchors, bar and all.


I hoisted the doors and posts to my shoulders and hiked to the top of the hill which faced Hebron.  So much for the Philistine's sneak plan. Hah.  


***********************
1.  Why did Samson go to Gaza?
2.  Who did he meet there?
3.  What happened while he visited a home?
4.  What did Samson do at midnight?
5.  How did Samson get out of the city?
6.  Who gave Samson his strength.


Photo courtesy of www.blueletter.org

Samson Used the Jawbone of a Donkey as a Weapon

By Mary Vee
Judges 15

Samson's Thoughts

My Israelite brothers treated me like a superhero. "Samson killed a lion. Samson ripped a city gate from the hinges and carried it to the top of a hill. Samson--Samson--Samson."

Tired, disappointed, and wanting to get away from the Philistines after what they did to my wife and her father I walked into a remote area to be by myself. I camped in the cleft of the rock at Etam to get out of the hot sun.

For several days I rested in that quiet place until brothers from the tribe of Judah came looking for me. What ever they wanted had to be important. Three thousand of them crowded by the cleft.


"Samson, Samson! We want to talk to you. Get out here."


I peeked out from behind a rock. "What? What's going on?"


They came closer to me. "Samson, you're in so much trouble. Why did you do it? The Philistines are mad, burning mad. They're ready to kill us. You know the Philistines rule over us.  If we don't serve them, they'll destroy our homes and crops."


I shook my head and huffed. "I only did to them what they did to me."


"You can't do whatever you want, Samson. I don't care how strong you are, you're one man. Only one man. The Philistines will make our lives worse because of you." They opened their hands to show ropes. "We've come to arrest you and take you to the Philistines."


I wanted them to think they could tie me up.  I nodded. "OK. I'll go. But, promise you won't kill me."


The men nodded. "We won't.  Trust me, though, you won't be able to escape once we've tied you up. We'll give you to the Philistines to make them happy. It's the only way to keep our families safe. You gotta understand." 


I understood. The Philistines scared them. But they didn't scare me. I held out my arms and let them tie me with the new ropes.


My Israelite brothers escorted me back toward Judah. Before we reached the city gates, the Philistines ran toward me screaming something. I couldn't understand their words. Let's just say they weren't happy.


The closer the Philistines came the more God's strength flowed to my muscles. The new ropes turned into soggy threads and fell from my arms. I glanced down at the ground and found a jawbone from a donkey. Perfect!


I picked up the jawbone, took a fighting stance, and whipped it at each Philistine who dared to come near me. I killed a thousand of their men in a flash! Sweat poured down my face and neck like water flowing into a brook.  After the last Philistine fell to the ground, I dropped the jawbone and sighed.


I was hot and my mouth felt like a sandstorm had blasted through.  No water in sight. Not even a puddle. I leaned against a tree and moaned. "God, You gave me this victory over the Philistines and now You're gonna let me die of thirst?"  


Before I blinked my eyes, the ground next to my foot shook. A crack formed then a wide gap. Bubbles floated to the top and spilled off to the side followed by a stream of cool water. "Yes! Thank you, Lord." I pressed my face to the water and slurped a refreshing drink. It tasted delicious. I drank until I could drink no more. "Thank you, Lord."


God chose me judge Israel for twenty years during the time of the Philistines. Each time I needed strength to conquer a group of Philistines, God gave me what I needed. 


I wasn't a super hero. Just someone used by God to do His will.

 **********************

1.  Who came to arrest Samson?

2.  Why did they want to arrest him?

3.  What did they bring to tie up Samson?

4.  Did it work?

5.  What happened when the Philistines saw Samson?

6.  Who gave Samson the strength to judge the Philistines?

7.  How long dd God let Samson judge Israel?

Samson's Fox Fire

By Mary Vee
Judges 15

Samson's Thoughts

I missed my wife. 


I'd stayed at my father's house until the wheat had been harvested. We finished our work early, which made me glad;  I could finally go see my wife. 

I took a young goat as a gift for her father.  When I arrived, he opened the door and gasped. "Samson, why are you here? I didn't expect to see you again."

I held the goat out toward him. "I want to see my wife. Please accept my gift."

He shook his head. "You can't see her. I let another man marry her while you were gone. Now, Samson, don't be angry. You can marry her younger sister."

I took a deep breath and squinted at him. "You won't let me see my wife? You'll be sorry. This time you Philistines have gone too far."

I set the goat down and stomped away.  Why did I trust the people from this village? God said to conquer the Philistines and with His strength, I will--mark my word. 

The further I walked the more anger boiled in my veins. I slammed my fists together. I need a plan.


In a field not far away, I found foxes hiding in their dens. Immediately a great idea came to me. I could use the foxes to conquer the Philistines! 

 It didn't take long to capture 300 foxes.  

Next, I made one hundred fifty torches. 

I pulled two of the foxes out of the group, turned them back to back, tied a torch between their tails, and lit it. The animals bolted away from me toward the fields. They turned right, then left, trying to escape each other. Everywhere they ran, fires sparked setting the ripe wheat on fire. By the time I released the rest of the foxes, fires blazed from every field destroying all the Philistine crops.

Their grain, shocks, vineyards, and olive groves burned to the ground.

The next day, I went to my wife's home. She and her father had been killed by the Philistines.


Apparently the Philistines thought they could stop me.

Oh, were they wrong.

God gave me strength to conquer them all right. I found the men who took the lives of my wife and her father, killed them--then went home.


I still like visiting the Philistine villages. And yes, I'll visit them again. But not for a few days.

For the next twenty years, God gave me super strength to conquer the Philistines and judge Israel. 

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1.  Why did Samson take a gift to his wife's father?

2.  What did his wife's father say?

3.  How did Samson punish the Philistines the first time?

4.  After Samson heard what the Philistines did to his wife and her father, what did he do?

5.  What did God give Samson?  Why?

The Bible says, God appointed Samson to punish other nations.

Photo courtesy of Christian Image Resources

Samson's Riddle

By Mary Vee
Judges 14

Samson's Thoughts

A few days after I killed the lion (you can read the story here. )  I went back to see the lion's body.


A swarm of bees had buried their hive deep between the bones. Rich, golden honey had dripped out. I grabbed a branch from a tree and waved it over the hive. The bees zapped from their home and swarmed to a flowering bush. While they were gone, I dipped my hand inside and scooped out honey. 

Fresh, warm honey.  Gooey. Delicious.

I gave some to my parents, but I didn't tell them about killing the lion.

A few days later I married a girl from a nearby village. Following the wedding, I gave a banquet for her family and the rest of her village. All the Philistine men came. Yes, the girl was a Philistine.


On the first night of the banquet I wanted to have some fun. I asked the Philistine men, "Do you want to hear a riddle? If you can correctly solve and explain it to me before the seventh day of this banquet ends, I will give you thirty linen garments and thirty changes of clothes. but, if you can't explain the riddle to me, you'll have to give me thirty linen garments and thirty changes of clothes."

The Philistine men looked at each other and whispered then turned to me. "Okay, tell us your riddle."


This is the riddle I told:  

Out of the eater came something to eat,
and out of the strong cam something sweet.

They scratched their beards and whispered to each other. No one knew the answer.

For seven days I watched the Philistines work on the riddle. but couldn't find the answer. Each night after our wedding, my wife came to me and cried. "You don't love me. You told the men from my family a riddle yet you didn't tell me the answer!" 

I laughed."Dear wife, I haven't told my parents the answer either." She cried and cried. I couldn't get any sleep. After several days I couldn't stand the noise any longer. I told her the answer to the riddle.


That night I went to the banquet. It was the seventh night. I looked at the Philistine men and smiled. "So, do you have the answer to my riddle?"


The nodded and smiled back. "Yes.  What is sweet____. Honey is the answer.  What is strong___. Lion is the answer."


Those tricky Philistine men. They must have found out the answer from my wife. Anger boiled from my toes to my head.  The great strength God gave me for the lion flowed into my muscles. I went to Ashkelon and killed thirty Philistines, took their clothing, and gave it to the men who answered the riddle.

I didn't want to be around those Philistines any more so I went back to my parent's house.  My wife stayed with her Philistine family.
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1.  What did Samson find in the lion's body?
2.  Why did Samson have a banquet?  Who came?
3.  What did Samson tell his guests?
4.  What did Samson want them to give him?
5.  Why did Samson tell his wife the answer?  
Samson didn't know the men from the village talked to his wife and promised to burn her family's house if she didn't tell them answer.
6. What did Samson do when he heard the Philistine men's correct answer?

God gave Samson the strength to conquer the Philistines

Samson Kills the Lion

By Mary Vee
 Judges 14

Samson's Thoughts

Did you ever feel like you were different from everyone else?  I did.


My parents never cut my hair and wouldn't let me have many foods or drinks my friends had.

One day my father called me out to the field to help him. He finally told me about the day an angel gave him special instructions for my care. Apparently an Angel of the Lord spoke with mom and him before I was born.


As I grew older, I heard my parents and other adults talk about the Philistines. They'd conquered many of our villages forty years ago and have treated the survivors like slaves. Several of my friends still can't find enough food and their houses have been destroyed.

I knew I should have stayed away from the Philistine villages, but I couldn't. I wanted to know who they were, how they dressed, and what they did. When I had free time I walked to one of their villages not far from my home.


On the way there I found a fig tree at the top of a hill. It'd been a while since I'd eaten and a treat would taste good.  

When I reached for an extra large fig on an upper branch, I saw an animal dart from a bush just beyond a tree in the field. It crouched as if stalking something. The creature picked up speed, as it crossed the field. One section of sparse grain let me see the animal's body. the golden tail and mane ruffled in the wind. 

No problem. That lion is down there and I'm up here. I plucked several figs and stuffed them into my mouth before checking if the fruit was ripe. Yuck. Nasty. Bitter taste. I spit those disgusting figs out in a flash.

I looked around for something to get rid of the bad taste. A small distance away stood a large fig tree with ripe, juicy figs hanging from every branch. Perfect. My stomach growled, begging for food.


I walked to the second fig tree, reached out, and grabbed a fig. That's when I heard something breathing.  Huffing and puffing close to me. I whipped around and saw the lion running towards me. My heart blasted blood into every cell in my body. I didn't have a moment to think or to find a weapon. 

Then, something different happened. My muscles automatically tightened ready to do battle. A surge of energy sprang from somewhere, I didn't know where. I didn't know why the lion's fangs didn't scare me. A voice told me, "Don't be afraid." It must have been God.

The lion roared, ready to attack, then increased speed. His extended claws flew toward my face ready to rip me from my bones. I didn't breathe.

My hands flew into defense position until the lion fell forward to the ground. My hands and arms attacked with a speed and power as if I had killed thousands of lions. 

When the creature stopped, I stepped back and stared at it. 



How did it happen?

I held my hands out then tipped them over. Where did the strength and speed come from?

I tipped my head back to take a deep breath and saw the vast sky above. Then I knew. God gave me my strength.

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1.  How did Samson know he was different from his friends?
2.  What group of people forced the Israelites to become slaves?
3.  What animal surprised Samson.
4.  What happened when the lion attacked?
5.  What did Samson learn?
6.  Why did God give Samson this? (hint:  think of the Philistines)

Photo courtesy of Christian Image Source 

Samson's Dad

By Mary Vee
Judges 13

Manoah's Thoughts

My wife and I live in the northern area of Israel. I'm from the tribe of Dan. We don't have any children. I had always hoped the Almighty would give us a child, sure would be nice to have a son. But these things are in the hands of the Lord.

One night when I came home from my work something unusual happened. 

My wife set the food on the table. She had an odd look on her face, like she wanted to tell me something but didn't know what to say. I decided to wait until she could speak.

After a few minutes she said, "A Man of God visited me today. He looked like an Angel of God--very awesome." she took a deep breath. "I can't find the words to describe Him.  I didn't think to ask where He was from and He didn't tell me His name.

She pressed her hands together. "He spoke to me, Manoah."

She looked out the window and thought for a moment. I tried to imagine what the Angel of God looked like. What would I do if I had met Him? I had to admit, I didn't know.

She smiled and faced me. "He knew we didn't have any children."

Her smile told me the rest of her news would be good.  I sat forward waiting to hear more.

Her eyes closed for a moment. "He said we would have a baby. A boy. He also told me not to drink any wine, or anything like it. Oh, and I am not to eat any unclean animal because this baby will be a Nazarite to God from the first day he is in my womb to the day he dies."

I jumped from my chair. "The Angel said our son will be used by God? This is wonderful news. I have so many questions!"

I ran outside and looked up at the heavens. "O my Lord, please let the Man of God whom You sent come to us again and teach us what we shall do for the child who will be born."

I could barely sleep that night. A few days later my wife ran out to greet me. Her news must have been important for her to run so wildly. "Manoah!" She cried. "Remember the Angel of God I told you about the other day? Well, He just not appeared to me!"

Praise God. He answered my prayer.  "Show me."

I followed her to the Man. I didn't know what to say. First, I caught my breath. "Are You the Man who spoke to this woman?"

He nodded. "I am."

"What should we do for the boy You've promised. What work will he do?"

The Angel of the Lord said, "The most important instruction I have for your wife is be careful. She may not eat anything that comes from the vine, nor drink wine or anything like it. She also may not eat anything unclean. She needs to obey all my commands."

To think, the Lord God chose us to have a special baby boy!  I wondered what he would be like. I wondered what God wanted him to do. Until I could find out, I decided to follow all the Angel of the Lord's instructions.

*******************

1.  Why did the Angel of the Lord visit Manoah's wife?

2.  What did he tell her to do?

3.  Who did she first tell her news?

4.  After he heard the news what did Manoah do?

5.  Who visited Manoah?

6.  What did He tell Manoah to do?

7.  What kind of father do you think Manoah will be?