Samson
Samson’s parents didn’t think they would be able to have children so his arrival was a nice surprise! God told them that their son would be used to help the Israelites defeat the enemies who had been attacking them – the Philistines. Samson was to let his hair grow very long as a sign that God was going to give him special strength.
He grew up to have incredible strength – on one occasion he killed a lion with his bare hands and he even beat an army of 1000 men on his own! For 20 years he kept his people safe, because the Philistines were so afraid of his strength.
Although Samson was strong, he was not always wise. He did not treat his wife well and he became big-headed – ‘no-one could defeat Samson’! One day he was bragging to a Philistine spy, Delilah, about the strength in his hair. In Judges 16:17 we can read what Samson told Delilah. “Finally Samson shared his secret with her. “My hair has never been cut,” he confessed, “for I was dedicated to God as a Nazirite from birth. If my head were shaved, my strength would leave me, and I would become as weak as anyone else.”” Delilah cut his hair off while he was asleep! He was captured by the Philistines and made to work as a slave.
Slowly, his hair began to grow back. He realised that only God could help him now. He asked for one last show of His power and gained a great victory over the Philistines even as he died.
To find out more, read...Judges 16:4-30
and watch Friends and Heroes...
Series 2 Episode 21, “Hostages”
Series 3 Episode 33, “Hostages”
