1. Sunday in the Word Samson, the Unstable Strongman
April 9, 2017
Unit 1, Study 5
Study Texts: Judges 13:1-14; 16:1-31

2. Acknowledgements Material adapted from
Radiant Life: Adult Teacher Guide
Mar-Apr-May 2017 Unit 1, The Era of the Judges
Volume 91 Number 3
Gospel Publishing House, Springfield, MO 65802
@2017 ISSN
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International NIV, Copyright 1973 Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
All Scripture quotations marked (KJV) are taken from the King James Version of the bible.

3. The Era of the Judges
Through this unit, we will explore challenging themes of spiritual rebellion and faithlessness
We will find that in the most difficult of times, God raised up leaders who stood for righteousness
The Book of Judges stands in stark contrast with the preceding book of Joshua
Joshua documents the triumphant entry of an obedient people into the promised land, conquering through trust in the power of God
Judges documents a period of time when a disobedient and idolatrous people are defeated time and again because of their rebellion against God

4. The Era of the Judges
The Book of Judges falls in the category of Historical Literature
It spans a period of almost 4 Centuries, 335 years ranging from about 1380 B.C to 1045 B.C.
Including the life of Samuel, the last judge, extends the period another 30 years (1 Samuel 1:1-25:1), about 365 years total
During this period, God raises up military champions to throw off the yoke of bondage, bring deliverance, and to restore the nation to proper worship

5. Israel in the Era of the Judges

6. Israel in the Era of the Judges

7. Samson, the Unstable Strongman
Key Verse: Judges 16:20
20[Samson] awoke out of his sleep, and said, I will go out as at other times before, and shake myself. And he wist not that the Lord was departed from him.(KJV)
20  [Samson] awoke from his sleep and thought, “I’ll go out as before and shake myself free.” But he did not know that the Lord had left him. (NIV)
Focus: To learn from Samson’s example and trust in God’s power rather than our own.
Central Truth: God judges those who follow their own ways apart from Him

8. Samson’s Miraculous Birth Judges 13:1 (NIV)
Israel Oppressed by the Philistines
13 Again the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord, so the Lord delivered them into the hands of the Philistines for forty years.

9. Samson’s Miraculous Birth Judges 13:1 (NIV)
Israel Oppressed by the Philistines
The Story of Samson is a miraculous one.
God delivered Israel over to the Philistines for 40 years, enough time for an entire generation to pass.
Unlike other narratives in the book of Judges, we do not see Israel crying out to God for deliverance.
Instead we see God choosing to divinely intervene on Israel’s behalf, promising a deliverer in the person of Samson

10. Samson’s Miraculous Birth Judges 13:2-7 (NIV)
A Deliverer Promised
2 A certain man of Zorah, named Manoah, from the clan of the Danites, had a wife who was childless, unable to give birth. 3 The angel of the Lord appeared to her and said, “You are barren and childless, but you are going to become pregnant and give birth to a son. 4 Now see to it that you drink no wine or other fermented drink and that you do not eat anything unclean. 5 You will become pregnant and have a son whose head is never to be touched by a razor because the boy is to be a Nazirite, dedicated to God from the womb. He will take the lead in delivering Israel from the hands of the Philistines.”
6 Then the woman went to her husband and told him, “A man of God came to me. He looked like an angel of God, very awesome. I didn’t ask him where he came from, and he didn’t tell me his name. 7 But he said to me, ‘You will become pregnant and have a son. Now then, drink no wine or other fermented drink and do not eat anything unclean, because the boy will be a Nazirite of God from the womb until the day of his death.’”

11. Samson’s Miraculous Birth Judges 13:8-14 (NIV)
A Deliverer Promised
8 Then Manoah prayed to the Lord: “Pardon your servant, Lord. I beg you to let the man of God you sent to us come again to teach us how to bring up the boy who is to be born.”
9 God heard Manoah, and the angel of God came again to the woman while she was out in the field; but her husband Manoah was not with her. 10 The woman hurried to tell her husband, “He’s here! The man who appeared to me the other day!”
11 Manoah got up and followed his wife. When he came to the man, he said, “Are you the man who talked to my wife?” “I am,” he said.
12 So Manoah asked him, “When your words are fulfilled, what is to be the rule that governs the boy’s life and work?”
13 The angel of the Lord answered, “Your wife must do all that I have told her. 14 She must not eat anything that comes from the grapevine, nor drink any wine or other fermented drink nor eat anything unclean. She must do everything I have commanded her.”

12. The Miracle of Samson’s Birth
How was barrenness viewed in Biblical times?
Barrenness was considered a curse
Women were considered cursed due to some sin on their part
Women carried the shame of their barrenness
For a woman to be barren was accounted a severe punishment among the Jews (Genesis 16:2; 30:1-23; 1 Samuel 1:6, 27; Isaiah 47:9; 49:21; Luke 1:25). Instances of barrenness are noticed (Genesis 11:30; 25:21; 29:31; Judges 13:2; Luke 1:7, 36).
Examples? Sarah (Genesis 11:30); Rebekah (Genesis 25:21);
Rachel (Genesis 29:31); Manoah's wife (Judges 13:2, 3); Hannah (1 Samuel 2:5); Elisabeth (Luke 1:7, 36).

13. The Miracle of Samson’s Birth
How does Samson’s birth announcement compare with other birth announcements in Scripture?
Angelic announcement-Abraham & Sarah (Genesis 18); Hagar (Genesis 16) Zechariah &Elizabeth (Luke 1); Mary & Joseph (Luke 1)
How were they received?
Disbelief, fear, laughter, requested a sign for confirmation, troubled, acceptance 38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.

14. Samson’s Birth Announcement
Distinctive Features of Samson’s Birth Announcement
Manoah’s wife was not to drink wine or strong (fermented) drink, or to eat any unclean food (v 4)
Samson was to be a lifelong Nazarite from birth (v 5)
Manoah asked God to send the “man of God” to give them additional instructions (v 6-8)
The Angel returned and told Manoah to let his wife obey all she had been commanded (v 9-14)

15. Nazarite Vow Numbers 6:1-21
Voluntary consecration to the Lord for a specified period of time by the person making the vow
The person was required to abstain from any form of wine, vinegar or strong drink, and any part of the fruit of the grapevine, and to avoid touching anything unclean
The person was not to cut their hair during the time of the vow
If the vow was broken unexpectedly, or they were defiled, the person was to shave their head, offer sin sacrifices, and the vow of consecration would begin again
When the vow was completed, they would shave their head, and offer their hair with a burnt offering to conclude their vow

16. Samson’s Name
Some believe the name Samson was derived from the Hebrew word for “sun-like” or “hero of the sun” because he was born near the city of Beth Shemesh- “House of the Sun”
The Jewish Historian Josephus, indicates the name Samson is derived from the Hebrew word for “the strong or daring one”
His parents may have named Samson based on the promise of God, in anticipation of his strength to deliver Israel

17. Samson Was Blessed by God Judges 13:24-25 (NIV)
24 The woman gave birth to a boy and named him Samson. He grew and the Lord blessed him, 25 and the Spirit of the Lord began to stir him while he was in Mahaneh Dan, between Zorah and Eshtaol.

18. Samson‘s Calling Less Than Fulfilled
Samson all but threw away the call of God on his life, but God still used him
He married a Canaanite woman against the wishes of his parents (though God used it for a purpose- Judges 14:4)
He killed a lion, and later touched the carcass to retrieve honey ( a violation of the Nazarite Vow- Judges 14:8-9)
He attacked and slaughtered 1000 philistines with the jaw-bone of a donkey (a violation of the Nazarite Vow- Judges 15:14-15)
He engaged with prostitutes (Judges 16:1-3)
He falls for Delilah (Judges 16:4-20

19. The Call of God Romans 11:29
29 For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance. (KJV)
29 for God’s gifts and his call are irrevocable. (NIV)
What does this say about God’s nature?
God will fulfill His purposes in our lives, sometimes in spite of us
Think how much more we could accomplish in His Kingdom if we wholly yield ourselves to his plan
12 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Romans 12:1 (NIV)
God will fulfill his purposes in our lives, sometimes in spite of us. Think how much more we could accomplish if we wholly yield ourselves to his plan Rom 12:1

20. Samson’s Weakness Judges 16:4-9 (NIV)
A Tempting Offer
4 Some time later, he fell in love with a woman in the Valley of Sorek whose name was Delilah. 5 The rulers of the Philistines went to her and said, “See if you can lure him into showing you the secret of his great strength and how we can overpower him so we may tie him up and subdue him. Each one of us will give you eleven hundred shekels [a] of silver.”
6 So Delilah said to Samson, “Tell me the secret of your great strength and how you can be tied up and subdued.”
7 Samson answered her, “If anyone ties me with seven fresh bowstrings that have not been dried, I’ll become as weak as any other man.”
8 Then the rulers of the Philistines brought her seven fresh bowstrings that had not been dried, and she tied him with them. 9 With men hidden in the room, she called to him, “Samson, the Philistines are upon you!” But he snapped the bowstrings as easily as a piece of string snaps when it comes close to a flame. So the secret of his strength was not discovered.
[a] That is, about 28 pounds or about 13 kilograms

21. Samson’s Weakness Judges 16:10-14 (NIV)
A Tempting Offer
10 Then Delilah said to Samson, “You have made a fool of me; you lied to me. Come now, tell me how you can be tied.”
11 He said, “If anyone ties me securely with new ropes that have never been used, I’ll become as weak as any other man.”
12 So Delilah took new ropes and tied him with them. Then, with men hidden in the room, she called to him, “Samson, the Philistines are upon you!” But he snapped the ropes off his arms as if they were threads.
13 Delilah then said to Samson, “All this time you have been making a fool of me and lying to me. Tell me how you can be tied.”
He replied, “If you weave the seven braids of my head into the fabric on the loom and tighten it with the pin, I’ll become as weak as any other man.” So while he was sleeping, Delilah took the seven braids of his head, wove them into the fabric 14 and tightened it with the pin.
Again she called to him, “Samson, the Philistines are upon you!” He awoke from his sleep and pulled up the pin and the loom, with the fabric.

22. Samson’s Weakness Judges 16:15-19 (NIV)
The Lord Left Samson
15 Then she said to him, “How can you say, ‘I love you,’ when you won’t confide in me? This is the third time you have made a fool of me and haven’t told me the secret of your great strength.” 16 With such nagging she prodded him day after day until he was sick to death of it.
17 So he told her everything. “No razor has ever been used on my head,” he said, “because I have been a Nazirite dedicated to God from my mother’s womb. If my head were shaved, my strength would leave me, and I would become as weak as any other man.”
18 When Delilah saw that he had told her everything, she sent word to the rulers of the Philistines, “Come back once more; he has told me everything.” So the rulers of the Philistines returned with the silver in their hands. 19 After putting him to sleep on her lap, she called for someone to shave off the seven braids of his hair, and so began to subdue him.[a] And his strength left him.

23. Samson’s Weakness Judges 16:20-22 (NIV)
The Lord Left Samson
20 Then she called, “Samson, the Philistines are upon you!”
He awoke from his sleep and thought, “I’ll go out as before and shake myself free.” But he did not know that the Lord had left him.
21 Then the Philistines seized him, gouged out his eyes and took him down to Gaza. Binding him with bronze shackles, they set him to grinding grain in the prison. 22 But the hair on his head began to grow again after it had been shaved.

24. Temptation’s Progression
Do you notice the progression of temptation taking place?
Samson was used to getting his own way
Samson had a weakness for women, including prostitutes
Samson did not learn from his past-His first wife used the same arguments to get him to reveal the answer to his riddle (Judges 14: 16-17)
Samson could be badgered by the women in his life, until he would give in (Judges 16: 15-16)
With each successive attempt, he moved closer to the truth, until he finally reveals the source of his strength (V 17)
Samson was used to taking things into his own hands, taking for granted the anointing of the Spirit of God (V 20)
 He awoke from his sleep and thought, “I’ll go out as before and shake myself free.” But he did not know that the Lord had left him. (NIV)

25. It’s Not About Me!
How can trusting in our own strength and abilities contribute to our defeat?
Samson seemed to believe that his superhuman strength was all about him
His true strength was in the vow, and about the presence of God resting on and empowering him
Samson’s story is a story of compromise with the world
When God calls us, He equips us, He empowers us, and He chooses us that we might rely on Him
When we attempt to fulfill God’s calling in our own power, we will fail

26. Samson’s Final Act Judges 16:23-27 (NIV)
Dagon Verses the Lord
23 Now the rulers of the Philistines assembled to offer a great sacrifice to Dagon their god and to celebrate, saying, “Our god has delivered Samson, our enemy, into our hands.”
24 When the people saw him, they praised their god, saying,
“Our god has delivered our enemy into our hands, the one who laid waste our land and multiplied our slain.”
25 While they were in high spirits, they shouted, “Bring out Samson to entertain us.” So they called Samson out of the prison, and he performed for them.
When they stood him among the pillars, 26 Samson said to the servant who held his hand, “Put me where I can feel the pillars that support the temple, so that I may lean against them.” 27 Now the temple was crowded with men and women; all the rulers of the Philistines were there, and on the roof were about three thousand men and women watching Samson perform.

27. Samson’s Revenge Judges 16:28-31 (NIV)
Dagon Verses the Lord
28 Then Samson prayed to the Lord, “Sovereign Lord, remember me. Please, God, strengthen me just once more, and let me with one blow get revenge on the Philistines for my two eyes.” 29 Then Samson reached toward the two central pillars on which the temple stood. Bracing himself against them, his right hand on the one and his left hand on the other, 30 Samson said, “Let me die with the Philistines!” Then he pushed with all his might, and down came the temple on the rulers and all the people in it. Thus he killed many more when he died than while he lived.
31 Then his brothers and his father’s whole family went down to get him. They brought him back and buried him between Zorah and Eshtaol in the tomb of Manoah his father. He had led[a] Israel twenty years.
[a] Traditionally judged

28. Samson’s Prayer
What does Samson’s prayer reveal about his spiritual condition?
He prayed-despite his fall, in his weakness he remembered God
He restored his vow
He asked God to remember him one last time
It was an act of submission and repentance
While it was a prayer to avenge the Philistines for the loss of his eyes, it became an occasion of judgement against this ungodly nation and enemy of God’s people

29. Practical Application
It is essential that we realize we can only fulfill God’s calling as He enables and empowers us
Let’s reflect on God’s calling upon each of our lives
How much do we depend on God VS how much do we try to live for the Lord in our own strength?
Let’s consider practical ways to tip the scales from our own self reliance, towards greater God-reliance
Let’s beware the potential snares and entrapments that can rob us of our anointing
Let’s avoid compromise with the World around us

30. Sunday in the Word The Risen Christ
April 16, 2017
Unit 1, Study 7
Study Texts: Matthew 27:57-28:20