Topical Bible: Prayer: Answered: Samson, Asking for Strength

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In the biblical narrative, the account of Samson is a profound example of answered prayer, particularly in the context of seeking divine strength. Samson, a judge of Israel, is renowned for his extraordinary physical strength, which was a gift from God contingent upon his Nazirite vow. His life, as recorded in the Book of Judges, is marked by both triumphs and failures, ultimately culminating in a powerful moment of prayer and divine intervention.

Context and Background

Samson's account is found in Judges 13-16. He was born to Manoah and his wife, who were visited by an angel of the Lord and informed that their son would begin to deliver Israel from the Philistines. As a Nazirite from birth, Samson was set apart for God's service, and his strength was linked to his uncut hair, a symbol of his vow.

Throughout his life, Samson's exploits against the Philistines demonstrated his God-given strength. However, his personal weaknesses, particularly his entanglement with Delilah, led to his downfall. Delilah, bribed by the Philistine rulers, coaxed Samson into revealing the secret of his strength. Once his hair was cut, the Lord's strength departed from him, and he was captured by the Philistines, who gouged out his eyes and imprisoned him.

Samson's Prayer for Strength

The climax of Samson's account occurs in Judges 16:23-30. During a Philistine celebration in the temple of Dagon, Samson was brought out to entertain the crowd. In this moment of humiliation and despair, Samson turned to God in prayer. Judges 16:28 records his plea: "Then Samson called out to the LORD, 'O Lord GOD, please remember me. Strengthen me, O God, just once more, so that with one act of vengeance I may pay back the Philistines for my two eyes.'"

This prayer is significant for several reasons. Firstly, it reflects Samson's acknowledgment of God as the source of his strength, despite his previous failures. Secondly, it demonstrates a moment of repentance and reliance on divine power rather than his own abilities. Lastly, it underscores the theme of God's faithfulness and willingness to hear the cries of His people, even when they have strayed.

God's Response

In response to Samson's prayer, God granted him the strength he requested. Judges 16:29-30 describes the outcome: "And Samson reached out for the two central pillars on which the temple stood. Bracing himself against them with his right hand on one and his left hand on the other, Samson said, 'Let me die with the Philistines.' Then he pushed with all his might, and the temple fell on the lords and all the people in it. So in his death, he killed more than he had killed in his life."

This act of divine empowerment allowed Samson to fulfill his role as a judge and deliverer of Israel, even in his final moments. It serves as a testament to the power of prayer and God's readiness to restore and use those who turn to Him in faith and humility.

Theological Implications

Samson's prayer and its answer highlight several theological themes. The sovereignty of God is evident, as He orchestrates events to achieve His purposes, even through flawed individuals. The narrative also emphasizes the importance of repentance and the possibility of redemption. Despite Samson's failures, his final act of faith and reliance on God brought about a significant victory for Israel.

Moreover, this account illustrates the concept of divine strength being made perfect in human weakness. Samson's physical blindness and captivity symbolize spiritual blindness and bondage, yet through prayer, he experiences a restoration of strength that transcends his limitations. This aligns with the broader biblical theme that God's power is often displayed most profoundly in moments of human frailty.

In summary, Samson's prayer for strength and its subsequent answer by God is a powerful example of how prayer can lead to divine intervention, even in the most desperate circumstances. It serves as a reminder of God's enduring faithfulness and the transformative power of turning to Him in prayer.

Nave's Topical Index

Judges 16:28-30
And Samson called to the LORD, and said, O Lord God, remember me, I pray you, and strengthen me, I pray you, only this once, O God, that I may be at once avenged of the Philistines for my two eyes.
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Library

Prayer and Faith (Continued)
... tell of Gideon and Barak, and of Samson, and of ... best of all, faith thrives in an
atmosphere of prayer. ... question a man can propound and expect to be answered. ...
/.../bounds/the necessity of prayer/ii prayer and faith continued.htm

My Call to the Ministry
... As I went, God spoke to me, saying, "Pray; ask for the strength of a Samson, if
need be; and I will give it." I ... A number of times he answered my prayer. ...
/.../cole/trials and triumphs of faith/chapter vii my call to.htm

Shoes of Iron, and Strength Sufficient: a New Year's Promise
... he was, and the simple, humble cottager, answered me, "Well ... thee to play the
Samson"thou shalt have Samson's strength. ... went with them to God in prayer, and I ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 35 1889/shoes of iron and strength.htm

The King 'Blessing' his People
... fail' him 'to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah; of ... that end, the preceding
prayer may be answered, and is ... the figure in asking that the prayer may lie ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/the king blessing his people.htm

Of Prayer --A Perpetual Exercise of Faith. The Daily Benefits ...
... asked, being persuaded that he has answered our prayers ... Similar fervor also seized
Samson, when he prayed, "Strengthen me ... said (sec.4), that though prayer is the ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 20 of prayera perpetual.htm

The Sweet Uses of Adversity
... us, and preserve us on our journeys?" He answered, "It was ... is teaching you how to
wrestle and agonize in prayer. ... pray as though he was a very Samson, with the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/the sweet uses of adversity.htm

Hearken and Look; Or, Encouragement for Believers
... be left to you; if even the prayer-meeting fails ... suppose that it would have signified
to Samson if there ... to faith, "Where is boasting?" She answered, "I shut ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 27 1881/hearken and look or encouragement.htm

A Word for the Persecuted
... to our wives." To their astonishment he answered, "Mine has ... Thus to you as to Samson,
out of the eater ... Pray much for them, for prayer is still heard, and how ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 20 1874/a word for the persecuted.htm

Christian Behavior
... is confirmed, and may his concluding and fervent prayer be answered to our ... faithless,
hopeless; without the covenant of grace, without strength; enemies in ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/christian behavior.htm

Letter cviii. To Eustochium.
... on the way at Socoh, and at Samson's well which ... three companies met together for
psalm-singing and prayer. ... rain is over and gone," she answered joyfully "the ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter cviii to eustochium.htm