Biblical Context:
Delilah is a central figure in the narrative of Samson, found in the Book of Judges, chapters 13 to 16. Samson, a Nazirite from birth, was endowed with extraordinary strength by God to deliver Israel from the Philistines. His strength was linked to his uncut hair, a symbol of his Nazirite vow. Delilah, a woman from the Valley of Sorek, becomes instrumental in the Philistines' plot to subdue Samson.

Narrative Account:
The account of Delilah's attempts to discover the secret of Samson's strength is detailed in Judges 16:4-22. Samson falls in love with Delilah, and the Philistine rulers approach her with a lucrative offer: "Entice him, and find out the source of his great strength and how we can overpower him so we may tie him up and subdue him. Each of us will give you eleven hundred shekels of silver" (Judges 16:5).

Delilah's Attempts:
Delilah's persistence in uncovering Samson's secret is marked by a series of deceptive inquiries. Her attempts are characterized by a blend of seduction and manipulation, as she repeatedly questions Samson about the source of his strength.

1. First Attempt: Delilah asks Samson directly, "Please tell me the source of your great strength and how you can be tied up and subdued" (Judges 16:6). Samson deceives her, claiming that being bound with seven fresh bowstrings would weaken him. The Philistines provide the bowstrings, but when Delilah binds him and calls out, "The Philistines are upon you, Samson!" he snaps the bowstrings effortlessly (Judges 16:7-9).

2. Second Attempt: Undeterred, Delilah presses Samson again. This time, he tells her that new ropes would render him powerless. Delilah binds him with new ropes, but once more, Samson breaks free when the Philistines approach (Judges 16:10-12).

3. Third Attempt: Delilah persists, and Samson tells her that weaving the seven braids of his hair into a loom would weaken him. Delilah does so, but Samson awakens and pulls away the loom and the web (Judges 16:13-14).

4. Final Attempt: Delilah's persistence reaches its zenith as she accuses Samson of not loving her, saying, "How can you say, ‘I love you,’ when your heart is not with me?" (Judges 16:15). Her constant nagging wears Samson down, and he finally reveals the truth: "No razor has ever come upon my head, because I have been a Nazirite to God from my mother’s womb. If I am shaved, my strength will leave me, and I will become as weak as any other man" (Judges 16:17).

The Betrayal:
Upon learning the truth, Delilah lulls Samson to sleep on her lap and calls for a man to shave off the seven braids of his hair. With his hair gone, "his strength left him" (Judges 16:19). Delilah's betrayal is complete as she calls the Philistines, who capture Samson, gouge out his eyes, and take him to Gaza in chains (Judges 16:20-21).

Theological Implications:
Delilah's actions serve as a cautionary tale about the dangers of temptation and the consequences of straying from one's divine calling. Samson's downfall is precipitated by his failure to guard the secret of his strength, a gift from God, and his susceptibility to Delilah's persistent enticements. The narrative underscores the importance of faithfulness to God's commands and the peril of compromising one's spiritual integrity for worldly desires.