Judges 16:5

The lords of the Philistines went to her and said, "Entice him and find out the source of his great strength and how we can overpower him to tie him up and subdue him. Then each one of us will give you eleven hundred shekels of silver."

Study Bible

The lords of the Philistines
This phrase refers to the rulers or leaders of the Philistine cities. Historically, the Philistines were a confederation of city-states, each governed by its own lord. The term "lords" here is translated from the Hebrew word "seren," which indicates a ruler or prince. The Philistines were a significant adversary of Israel during the time of the Judges, often oppressing the Israelites and seeking to undermine their leaders, such as Samson.

went to her
The "her" in this context is Delilah, a woman whom Samson loved. The Philistines approached her because they saw an opportunity to exploit her relationship with Samson. This action highlights the Philistines' cunning and strategic approach to dealing with their enemies, using espionage and manipulation rather than direct confrontation.

and said, 'Entice him
The word "entice" is translated from the Hebrew "patah," which means to persuade or seduce. This indicates a deliberate attempt to deceive or lure Samson into revealing his secrets. The use of this word underscores the moral and spiritual battle at play, as Delilah is being asked to use her influence over Samson for nefarious purposes.

and find out the source of his great strength
Samson's strength was legendary, and the Philistines were desperate to understand its origin. This phrase reflects their recognition that Samson's power was not ordinary but divinely endowed. The Philistines' desire to uncover the secret of his strength reveals their belief in the possibility of neutralizing what they perceived as a supernatural advantage.

and how we can overpower him
The Philistines sought a way to defeat Samson, who had been a thorn in their side. The Hebrew word for "overpower" is "yakol," meaning to prevail or have power over. This reflects their intent to not just capture Samson but to completely dominate and control him, removing the threat he posed.

so we may tie him up and subdue him
This phrase indicates the Philistines' plan to physically restrain Samson, rendering him powerless. The act of tying up and subduing is symbolic of their desire to humiliate and break the spirit of Israel's champion. It also foreshadows the eventual betrayal and capture of Samson, which is a pivotal moment in his story.

Then each of us will give you eleven hundred shekels of silver
The offer of "eleven hundred shekels of silver" to Delilah was a substantial bribe, indicating the high value the Philistines placed on capturing Samson. In ancient times, silver was a common medium of exchange, and this amount would have been a significant fortune. This highlights the lengths to which the Philistines were willing to go to achieve their goal, and it also underscores the theme of betrayal for monetary gain, reminiscent of Judas Iscariot's betrayal of Jesus for thirty pieces of silver.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Samson
A judge of Israel known for his supernatural strength, which was a gift from God. His life is marked by a Nazirite vow and a series of conflicts with the Philistines.

2. Delilah
A woman from the Valley of Sorek whom Samson loved. She is approached by the Philistine lords to discover the secret of Samson's strength.

3. Philistine Lords
The rulers of the Philistines, who were enemies of Israel. They sought to capture Samson to weaken Israel's power.

4. Valley of Sorek
A region where Delilah lived, and where Samson frequently visited. It was a border area between the Philistines and Israelites.

5. Eleven Hundred Shekels of Silver
The bribe offered to Delilah by each Philistine lord, indicating the high value they placed on capturing Samson.

Teaching Points

The Danger of Compromise
Samson's relationship with Delilah illustrates the peril of compromising one's values and calling for personal desires. Believers are called to remain steadfast in their commitments to God.

The Power of Temptation
Delilah's enticement of Samson serves as a reminder of the power of temptation and the need for vigilance and reliance on God's strength to resist it.

The Consequences of Sin
The Philistine's plot against Samson underscores the destructive consequences of sin and disobedience. Sin can lead to bondage and loss of spiritual power.

The Importance of Discernment
Samson's lack of discernment in his relationship with Delilah highlights the need for wisdom and discernment in choosing relationships and alliances.

God's Sovereignty and Redemption
Despite Samson's failures, God ultimately uses his life to fulfill His purposes. This teaches that God can redeem our mistakes for His glory.

Bible Study Questions

1. What can we learn from Samson's relationship with Delilah about the importance of choosing godly relationships?

2. How does the account of Samson and Delilah illustrate the consequences of yielding to temptation? Can you think of other biblical examples where temptation led to downfall?

3. In what ways can believers today guard against the kind of manipulation and deceit that Samson faced with Delilah?

4. How does the promise of a reward (eleven hundred shekels of silver) influence Delilah's actions, and what does this teach us about the dangers of greed?

5. Reflect on a time when you faced a strong temptation. How did you respond, and what biblical principles can help you handle similar situations in the future?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Judges 14-15
These chapters provide background on Samson's previous encounters with the Philistines, highlighting his role as a judge and his personal weaknesses.

Proverbs 7
This chapter warns against the dangers of succumbing to seduction and temptation, paralleling Samson's vulnerability to Delilah's enticements.

1 Corinthians 10:13
This verse speaks to God's faithfulness in providing a way out of temptation, relevant to Samson's repeated failures to resist Delilah's manipulation.