Sampson-The Nazarite

Choice 1: Judges 13-16. “The Woman Bare a Son, and Called His Name Samson”

1. Study Judges 13-16 looking for both the possible greatness of Samson and his failings. Fill in the chart below, indicating Samson’s blessings and his sins.

Promises and Blessings	Sins
Blessed at birth	Took wife of the uncircumcised philistines
Will deliver Israel from Philistines	Anger and retaliation
Spirit of the Lord moved him	Was with a Harlot
No razor to touch his head	Trusts evil women
Slays a lion, then ate meat and honey from it
Lord miraculously provides water	Slew 30 men
Blessed with strength one last time to kill 3,000 philistines.	Slays a thousand men

1. After completing the chart above, write one or two paragraphs explaining why you think some people with so much potential make such bad decisions.

Here is one of my favorite quotes, “Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power.” (Abraham Lincoln).  I think our potential or power can sometimes blind us.  It can make us believe we are more than just the dust of the earth, and we can begin to either forget or ease God out of our lives.  We all know the pride cycle.  When we have success we forget our God.  With power and potential comes the trial of humility.

1. Read Judges 13:5; Numbers 6:1-9 and the Institute Student Manual commentary for Judges 13:5, “What Is a Nazarite?” (pg. 259). Make a list of the requirements for a Nazarite. From Judges 14-16 write a statement that describes which of his vows Samson broke.

What does it mean to be a Nazarite:

• They shall make a vow with the Lord
• No razor shall come on their head
• Must not drink wine, strong drink, vinegar of wine, vinegar of strong drink or liquor of grapes
• Must not eat moist or dried grapes
• Must not eat anything of the vine tree, from the kernels to the husk
• Must not come at a dead body
• Must not be unclean for father, mother, brother or sister at their death
• Must be holy unto the Lord
• If they kill anyone they must shave their head

The Nazarite was a special calling.  It almost seems similar to that of a nun or priest who have devoted their life to God.  Sampson was to separate himself from others “by a special vow of self-dedication to Jehovah”. (Old Testament manual)  Of all these requirements, Sampson broke many of them.  Instead of separating himself, he marries a Philistine.  Sampson killed several people.  He was immoral by being with a harlot and was deceived by devious women.

1. Using the account of Samson’s life, write a paragraph about how you could avoid yielding to temptation in your own life.

The story of Sampson, and Delilah deceiving him, makes me think of how persistent satan is.  Just because you have resisted him a couple times, or even a thousand times, he is still going to try and tempt you so that you will fall.  And he will do it in a way so as to target your weakest links.  For Sampson this was a lust for women.  This is why it is so important that we continually build our spiritual strength, just like our physical muscles, we need to use it or we will lose it.