Topical Bible: Good Children: Samson

Bible > Topical > Good Children

◄ Good Children: Samson ►

Jump to: Torrey's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

Samson, a prominent figure in the Book of Judges, is one of the most intriguing characters in the Bible. His life is a testament to the complexities of human nature and the divine purpose. Samson was born to Manoah and his wife, who was initially barren. His birth was foretold by an angel of the Lord, who instructed that the child be a Nazirite from birth, dedicated to God (Judges 13:3-5). This vow included abstaining from wine, avoiding contact with the dead, and not cutting his hair.

Samson's early life is marked by divine favor and extraordinary strength, which he used to deliver Israel from the oppression of the Philistines. His feats of strength are legendary, including the slaying of a lion with his bare hands (Judges 14:5-6) and the defeat of a thousand Philistines with the jawbone of a donkey (Judges 15:15). These acts were not merely displays of physical prowess but were seen as manifestations of the Spirit of the Lord working through him.

Despite his divine calling, Samson's life was fraught with personal failings. His impulsive nature and attraction to Philistine women often led him into compromising situations. His marriage to a Philistine woman from Timnah (Judges 14:1-3) and his relationship with Delilah (Judges 16:4-20) are notable examples. These relationships ultimately contributed to his downfall, as Delilah's betrayal led to his capture by the Philistines.

Samson's account is a powerful reminder of the consequences of straying from God's commandments. His life illustrates the tension between divine purpose and human weakness. Despite his flaws, Samson's final act was one of redemption. In his last moments, he prayed to God for strength one last time and brought down the temple of Dagon, killing many Philistines and himself in the process (Judges 16:28-30). This act fulfilled his role as a judge and deliverer of Israel, albeit at great personal cost.

Samson's narrative serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of faithfulness to God's calling and the dangers of succumbing to worldly temptations. His life, while marked by personal failures, ultimately demonstrates God's sovereignty and the possibility of redemption even in the face of great adversity.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Judges 13:24
And the woman bore a son, and called his name Samson: and the child grew, and the LORD blessed him.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Children's Bible
... <. The Children's Bible Henry A. Sherman. ... THE STORY OF CREATION. GOD'S
GOOD GIFTS TO MAN. ... SAMSON WHO DID TO OTHERS AS THEY DID TO HIM. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/

Concerning the Fortitude of Samson, and what Mischiefs He Brought ...
... He had no children; and, being uneasy at his want of ... God; but his wife bade him be
of good courage, for ... called the child, when he was born, Samson, which name ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 8 concerning the fortitude.htm

The Judges.
... truths illustrated in the life and work of Gideon and Samson. ... (12) The subject of
good and successful parents with bad and unsuccessful children. ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter ix the judges.htm

The Work of God's Spirit
... and confidently to Him for more, as His reasonable children, day by ... Let us go through
now a few of these good gifts, which ... Who gave Samson his strength, again? ...
/.../kingsley/twenty-five village sermons/sermon iv the work of.htm

Philippians iii. 13, 14
... For example, many men have perished in marriage, as Samson, [664] yet not from marriage,
but ... For suppose the good man hath a wife and children, and riches ...
/.../homily xii philippians iii 13.htm

Footnotes:
... of Gideon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of ... give something, and, if more money
were good for me ... for the temporal welfare of their children, though applied by ...
//christianbookshelf.org/groves/christian devotedness/footnotes .htm

Good News
... blessing of cold water to a thirsty soul, think of Samson. ... once again we have to
bring this good news"that ... made a way for his poor wandering children to come ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/sermons on proverbs/good news.htm

Fourth Commandment
... during the last twenty-five years, and many a man has been shorn of spiritual power,
like Samson, because he ... It is a good thing to have the children, not in ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/weighed and wanting/fourth commandment.htm

On the Words of the Gospel, John x. 14, "I am the Good Shepherd ...
... Thy companions, but companions such as Samson's were, who ... 8. Let then the "good
Shepherd," and, "the Comely ... hath made beautiful from among the children of men. ...
/.../sermon lxxxviii on the words.htm

Homilies on Philippians, Colossians, and Thessalonians.
... of, to their children, [1386]304; reward children for virtue as pleasing them,
[1387]332; should keep sons in chastity, [1388]346; good children meet, [1389]356 ...
/.../homilies on philippians colossians and.htm