The Consequences of Disobedience
Samson's repeated disregard for his Nazirite vow and God's commands ultimately led to his downfall. Judges 16:1-3 shows Samson visiting a prostitute in Gaza, demonstrating his pattern of compromising behavior.

The Deceptive Nature of Sin
Delilah's persistent attempts to discover the secret of Samson's strength (Judges 16:4-16) illustrate how sin can be alluring and persistent, wearing down our defenses if we are not vigilant.

The Loss of Spiritual Power
When Samson finally reveals the secret of his strength to Delilah, he loses his power (Judges 16:17-20). This serves as a reminder that spiritual strength is tied to our obedience and relationship with God.

God's Sovereignty and Redemption
Despite Samson's failures, God uses him to fulfill His purposes. In Judges 16:28-30, Samson's final act of strength against the Philistines demonstrates God's ability to redeem and use even the flawed for His glory.Guard Your Heart
Be vigilant against the subtle encroachments of sin in your life. Regularly examine your heart and actions to ensure they align with God's Word.

Value Your Spiritual Commitments
Like Samson's Nazirite vow, our commitments to God should be taken seriously. Uphold your promises to God and seek His strength to remain faithful.

Seek God's Strength
Recognize that true strength comes from God. In moments of weakness, turn to Him for the power to overcome temptation and trials.

Trust in God's Redemption
No matter how far you may have strayed, remember that God can redeem and use you for His purposes. Seek His forgiveness and allow Him to work through you.1. Samson
Samson is the central figure in Judges 16. He is a judge of Israel known for his extraordinary strength, which is attributed to his Nazirite vow to God. His story in this chapter includes his downfall due to his relationship with Delilah and his eventual redemption in his final act against the Philistines.

2. Delilah
Delilah is a woman from the Valley of Sorek whom Samson loves. She is approached by the Philistine rulers to discover the secret of Samson's strength. Her name in Hebrew, דְּלִילָה (Delilah), is often associated with the idea of weakness or impoverishment, which is ironic given her role in Samson's downfall.

3. Philistine Rulers
The Philistine rulers are the leaders of the Philistines who conspire with Delilah to capture Samson. They promise her a significant sum of money to betray him. The term used for rulers in Hebrew is סַרְנֵי (sarney), which refers to lords or leaders.

4. Men Lying in Ambush
These are the Philistine men who hide in Delilah's chamber, ready to capture Samson once his strength is subdued. They are part of the plot orchestrated by the Philistine rulers and Delilah.

5. The Philistines
The Philistines are the primary antagonists in the story of Samson. They are a group of people who are enemies of Israel and seek to subdue Samson, who has been a significant threat to them.

6. The Young Man Leading Samson
After Samson is captured and blinded, a young man is assigned to lead him to the temple of Dagon. This young man plays a role in Samson's final act of strength.1. Gaza
Description
Gaza is a Philistine city where Samson visits a prostitute. The Philistines plan to ambush him there, but he escapes by tearing out the city gate and carrying it to the top of a hill. The Hebrew root for Gaza is "עַזָּה" (ʿAzzah), meaning "strong" or "fortress."

2. Valley of Sorek
Description
This is the location where Samson meets Delilah. The Valley of Sorek is significant as the place where Delilah, bribed by the Philistine rulers, ultimately betrays Samson by discovering the secret of his strength. The name "Sorek" (שׂוֹרֵק) is associated with a choice vine, indicating a fertile area.

3. Timnah
Description
Although not directly mentioned in Judges 16, Timnah is relevant to the broader narrative of Samson's life. It is the place where Samson first encounters a Philistine woman, leading to a series of events that escalate tensions between him and the Philistines. The Hebrew root "תִּמְנָה" (Timnah) suggests a portion or an assigned place.1. Samson Visits a Prostitute in Gaza
Samson travels to Gaza, where he visits a prostitute. The people of Gaza learn of his presence and plan to ambush him at dawn. However, Samson leaves in the middle of the night, taking the city gate's doors with him. (Judges 16:1-3)

2. Samson and Delilah
Samson falls in love with a woman named Delilah in the Valley of Sorek. The Philistine rulers offer her money to discover the secret of his strength. (Judges 16:4-5)

3. Delilah's Attempts to Discover Samson's Secret
Delilah repeatedly asks Samson to reveal the source of his strength. Samson deceives her three times, each time giving a false explanation. (Judges 16:6-14)

4. Samson Reveals His Secret
Pressured by Delilah's persistence, Samson finally reveals that his strength lies in his uncut hair, a symbol of his Nazirite vow to God. (Judges 16:15-17)

5. Samson's Capture
Delilah informs the Philistines, who capture Samson after she has his hair cut while he sleeps. His strength leaves him, and the Philistines seize him, gouge out his eyes, and imprison him in Gaza. (Judges 16:18-21)

6. Samson's Final Act of Strength
During a Philistine celebration in the temple of Dagon, Samson is brought out to entertain the crowd. He prays to God for strength one last time and pulls down the temple pillars, killing himself and many Philistines. (Judges 16:22-30)

7. Samson's Burial
Samson's family retrieves his body and buries him in the tomb of his father Manoah. He had judged Israel for twenty years. (Judges 16:31)Proverbs 4:23
Guard your heart with all diligence, for from it flow springs of life. This verse underscores the importance of protecting our hearts from sin.

1 Corinthians 10:13
No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. This passage reassures us of God's faithfulness in providing a way out of temptation.

Romans 8:28
And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose. This verse highlights God's ability to bring good out of our failures.Pray for the strength and wisdom to resist temptation and remain faithful to God's commands.
Ask God to reveal any areas of compromise in your life and for the courage to address them.
Thank God for His grace and redemption, and seek His guidance in using your life for His glory.
Pray for a heart that is sensitive to the Holy Spirit's leading and quick to repent when you fall short.

1. How does Samson's actions in Gaza reflect his character?

2. Analyze Delilah's role. Was she a victim of circumstances or a willing participant in Samson's downfall?

3. Discuss the theme of betrayal in this chapter. How does it manifest and what are the consequences?

4. Explore the idea of Samson's strength. How was it tied to his faith, and what does this suggest about the relationship between physical and spiritual strength?

5. Why do you think Samson revealed his secret to Delilah? Was it merely a mistake or indicative of deeper character flaws?

6. How does the motif of sight play a role in this chapter, with Samson's eyes being gouged out and his later actions 'in the dark'?

7. Discuss the significance of Samson's hair growing back.

8. How does Samson's prayer and final act show his return to faith?

9. Samson killed more Philistines in his death than in his life. How does this resonate with the theme of sacrifice and redemption?

10. How does this chapter portray the Philistines? Is there any room for empathy towards them?

11. What lessons can we learn from Samson's life, particularly his downfall and redemption?

12. In modern context, how might the temptation and betrayal faced by Samson manifest in our lives?

13. How can we resist the sort of temptations that Samson succumbed to?

14. Like Samson, we all have our strengths and weaknesses. How can we ensure our strengths don't lead to pride and our downfall?

15. How can we recover from betrayal and move towards forgiveness, learning from Samson's story?

16. What does Samson's story teach us about God's forgiveness and redemption?

17. In what ways can we see the mercy of God in Samson's final act?

18. How can we apply the lessons from Samson's life to handle adversities in our lives?

19. Can Samson's story be seen as a cautionary tale about the misuse of God-given gifts?

20. In the context of today's society, how can we remain faithful to God amidst pressures and enticements of the world?