The slaying of the lion with nothing in his hand. (Judges 14:5-6 ). In the summer heat the carcass dried quickly, leaving a cavity for the bees (Judges 14:7-9 ). Samson tells his riddle at the feast (Judges 14:10-12 ). The Philistines use Samson's wife to get the answer (Judges 14:15-17 ) and are able to give the solution (Judges 14:18 ). Samson slays 30 Philistine men to get the clothing for those who explained the riddle (Judges 14:18-20 ).

Notice that Samson did not have a band of men whom he led - God used him alone supernaturally:

Judges 14:19 "Then the Spirit of the Lord came upon him mightily, ..." (NKJV)

Waiting for others to help could mean never doing exploits for God .

1 John 4:4 "Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world." (KJV)

Samson's answer to his father-in-law in giving his wife to his best man (Judges 14:20 - 15:3 ).

Judges 15:4 "..Then Samson went and caught three hundred foxes; ..." (NKJV)

This was some feat in itself. Then he used them to torch the Philistines grain fields (Judges 15:4-5 ). The Philistines retaliated by burning his wife and her father, giving Samson opportunity to avenge himself (Judges 15:6-8 ).

Judges 15:8 "And he smote them hip and thigh with a great slaughter ..." (KJV)

Indicating a slaughter using brute force. The Philistines seek to arrest Samson. The men of Judah felt no obligation to protect him, instead they assisted them by going to bind Samson and hand him over (Judges 15:9-11 ). Samson asked that the Israelites not attack him, so that he would not shed the blood of his own people. (Judges 15:12-13 ). With miracle strength he broke the new ropes and taking up a jawbone slew a thousand men. (Judges 15:14-16 ). His thirst is miraculously quenched and he rules Israel 20 years (Judges 15:17-20 ).

His going to a Philistine harlot - they lay in wait to kill him in the morning. Samson rises at midnight and with his miracle strength and endurance,

"he carried the doors, doorposts and bar that secured the doors, for a distance of 38 miles (mostly uphill) to Hebron." Ryrie (Judges 16:1-3 ).

From the harlot he descends to the unequal yoke of Delilah (Judges 16:4 ). Instead of fleeing from temptation he played with it. (Judges 16:5-16 ). The fateful sleep on the knees of Delilah (Judges 16:17-20 ), through yielding to his temptress he is captured. (Judges 16:20-21 ).

Judges 16:20 "he did not know that the LORD had departed from him." (NKJV)

Samson was reduced to humiliating slave labour (Judges 16:21 ). Blindness and servitude - what a fall! Hope renewed with his growing hair, the return of the sign that he was the Lord's (Judges 16:22 ).

Judges 16:28 "And Samson called unto the LORD, ..." (KJV)

The result was a triumphant ending of his life.

Judges 16:30 "And Samson said, Let me die with the Philistines. And he bowed himself with all his might; and the house fell upon the lords, and upon all the people that were therein. So the dead which he slew at his death were more than they which he slew in his life." (KJV)

Sad though his downfall, he died God's man. Better had he lived God's man.

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QUESTIONS FOR GROUP INTERACTION

1. Why was Samson able to kill a lion using only his hands? (Judges 14:5-6 ).
2. When the enemy is outwitted by a strong christian, does he resort to working on the emotions of someone close and dear to him? (Judges 14:15-17 ).
3. How did Samson get the clothing he needed for those who had cheated him? (Judges 14:18-20 ).
4. To what number of men did God reduce Gideon's army? How many men did God use against the Philistines? (Judges 14:19 ).
5. Was the reprisal of Samson for his wife being given to another, intended to destroy the Philistine harvest, and provoke them to action? (Judges 15:4-5 ).
6. Is it ever right to betray the most sacred of all relationships? Are there not always serious consequences? (Judges 15:6 ).
7. Do you accept that Samson's avenging of his bride with a great slaughter was done by miracle strength? (Judges 15:7-8 ). Do you need miracle strength for miracle living? (Zechariah 4:6; Ephesians 1:19 ).
8. When God singles you out for special service can you always expect or get the support of your people? (Judges 15:9-13 ).
9. Have you learned that under the power of the Spirit, the inadequacy of what is to hand becomes supernaturally sufficient? (Judges 15:14-16 ).
10. Can you expect the Lord to quench your thirst when you cry to Him? (Judges 15:17-20; John 7:37-38 ).
11. Did God condone Samson's misconduct by giving him supernatural strength to tear off the city gate of Gaza and to carry it away? (Judges 16:1-3; 1 Peter 1:14-16 ).
12. Do you take to heart the warning of Samson's playing with temptation? (Judges 16:4-16 ). Would you know if you lost your spiritual strength? (Judges 16:20 ).
13. Do you think Samson's strength, maintained by signs of consecration and dependence on God, and was lost when his vow of dependency was broken, presents a picture of the nation of Israel in the times of the judges? (Judges 16:21; Deuteronomy 28:47- 48 ).
14. Did Samson's repentance grow with his growing hair, and with the renewed sign of consecration the awareness of returned strength? (Judges 16:22 ).
15. Is it better to physically die as God's instrument than to live as the trophy of the enemies of God?