The Inglorious End

This is the Bible study page for the Thursday Night Bible Study Group meeting December 7 to study Judges 16. This is the famous ending of the Samson Saga, a tale of foolishness and faith.

Read through this chapter slowly. This is real familiar stuff, more so than the previous chapters, and it's real easy to gloss over things we should think about critically. Use different translations, read it out loud, put yourself in the mud-brick house with he and Delilah, think about what isn't explicit in the narrative, and think through whether it's missing or didn't actually happen.

Once you your own notes and questions, read through a commentary or two. Use resources on Blue Letter Bible. Revise your notes and questions accordingly. Then go back through with the questions below:

•Samson goes to Gaza. Look at a map of Canaan. How far is Timnah from Gaza? Why do you think he goes all the way down there?

•It literally says, “And he saw a woman prostitute and went into to her.” Why might this not be why he went to Gaza?

•There seems to be some missing element between the end of verse 1 and the beginning of verse 2. We're missing who told the Gazitites. We have the “to” part, but not the “from” part, as it were. Who do you think told the “towns folk”?

•There seems to be some missing element between the end of verse 1 and the beginning of verse 2. We're missing who told the Gazitites. We have the “to” part, but not the “from” part, as it were. Who do you think told the “towns folk”?

•This has to be the worst ambush in human history. The people lay in ambush all night at the gate. Their plan is to kill him as he leaves in the morning, he's trapped in the city behind a closed city gate. It seems like a sound plan, but isn't anyone watching the gate? Why do you think the people of Gaza want to wait until morning anyway? Why not ambush while he's “busy”?

•Samson gets up at midnight, goes to the closed gate, and here, the narrative becomes incredibly specific. He grabs the gate “wings”, doorposts, and the bars keeping them “locked”. He puts all of that on his shoulders, and walks up the tallest hill around (you can see Hebron from there?). How do you think Samson can do this without the “ambush” people hearing anything? Aren't there gate guards, watchmen, old lady's with mill stones, or anyone else at the gate at night?

•The prince’s of the Philistines bribe Delilah with 100,000 silver, and she does it. She knows they will bind and humiliate Samson, so, why do you think she's so disloyal?

•Thus begins the game between Samson and Delilah. She begs to know the secret of his strength, he lies, she tries it, it fails, lather, rinse, repeat. The first time, there is an ambush in her “inner room”. Since we already know this tactic isn’t a Philistine specialty, what do you think happens when Samson wakes and snaps the cords? Do the Philistines pop out to be killed? What do you think happens?

•We do it again, she pleads, he lies, she tries it, it fails. The second time, there’s another ambush in the house. Now what do you think happens? Do they pop out to their deaths?

•The third time, weaving his hair into a loom (seriously?), there’s no mention of an ambush. What do think happened this time?

•Finally, Delilah plays the “you-don't-love-me” card. If there has been Philistines popping out of her bedroom every time she tries to take away his strength, how much sense does such an appeal actually make? Keep in mind, Samson's not stupid, he's selfish, or, at least self-indulgent.

•Eventually Delilah wears Samson down. Literally, “his soul was shortened to death”. Why do you think the author puts it that way, why mention “to death”? How much do you think Samson knows about what will happen to him if he tells her the truth?

•Samson reveals his whole heart (lit. “...all his heart.”). From what he tells her, how aware of his obligations as a Nazarite do you think he was?

•Delilah knows Samson has told her “all his heart”. How do you think she knows?

•Delilah summons the Philistines again, and this time they bring money...and a barber. When they shave the seven braids, it literally says she profaned him, which means to take something holy and make it common. Why do you think nothing he's done so far has done that?

•His strength turned aside from him. What do you think that means? Why personify his strength? (See the next verse, perhaps?)

•Delilah cries out that the Philistines are upon him (conveniently leaving out they came from her bedroom). Samson springs up, but doesn't notice the unusual draft across his head. He thinks he will shake himself free, but free from what?

•The Philistines seize him, put out his eyes, and make him grind grain in prison. But the hair begins to grow again. Why do you think they didn't consider keeping him bald?

•This next section is in great detail again. This is clearly important to the author. The setting is a national feast for Dagon, the Philistine god.  They refer to him as “elohim”, which is odd for several reasons. They celebrate their victory over Samson, and hold a party in what must have been a huge temple to Dagon. Why do you think they wait until a festival to celebrate Samson's demise?

•During the party they bring blind Samson out to gloat over. He stands between the two pillars supporting the temple. How smart is it to 1) support a huge stone building with only two pillars, and 2) put the strongest man in history between them? What do you think they are thinking to do such a genius thing?

•Samson asks the boy leading him around by the hand to put his Hans on the pillars to rest. Why do you think the boy sees nothing wrong with this? Why do you think none of the others saw a problem with it?

•Samson prays, acknowledging Yahweh, and asking for vengeance for his eyes. What clearly indicates Samson's faith?

•There are 3,000 on the roof of this place. There are probably more on the floor inside. And two pillars supporting the temple. It's huge. Samson pushes the pillars asking to die with them. Why do you think Samson asks for that? Considering there probably weren't survivors near him, how did the author know he even said that? So, why is it in there?

•The author points out that Samson kills more in death than he did in life. Why do you think that's important? What point does that make for the author as a summary of Samson's life?

•Samson's family shows up to bury him. Why do you think this important? What does this say about Samson's end?

That should more than occupy us for two hours. Remember to think through how this account reveals how God might be wanting to work through you?

Spectacular Anger Issues

This is the Bible study page for the Thursday Night Bible Study Group meeting November 2 to study Judges 15.  This is the continuing saga of Samson, the juvenile judge of Israel.  This chapter has some interesting Hebrew idiom, strange yet impressive behavior, and also some whiny contrast to incredible feats.

Read through the chapter in a couple of translations.  If one is the King James (readily available online), then use one like the NIV or New Living (NLT).  If you use the New American Standard, then compare that to the NIV or NLT.  The ESV is a good blend of both, as is the Holman Christian Standard.  The Blue Letter Bible app has the HCSB and the .NET Bible (NET, New English Translation?) for free download.  The NET Bible is another good blended type of translation.  Compare those to the King James or New King James.

Once you've read through it and made notes, and jotted down questions, go back through with a commentary or two.  One option you can try (but you'll get mixed results) is to Google Judges 15.  There will be plenty of stuff that comes up, and some may be useful.  Filter what you read using what you've already come up with, rejecting stuff you don't think makes sense.

After that, go back through with the questions below:

• From what is said in verse 1, why do you think Samson seeks out his wife now?  Why do you think he takes a young goat as he goes?
• Her father explains what he did, and offers her younger sister.  Samson refuses, and claims he's now free from blame for what he does to them.  What does that tell you about how he thinks of what he did before?
• Samson catches 100 foxes.  Seriously?  The Holy Spirit didn't move him to do that, he just does it?  What does that tell you about him?  What do you think of someone able to catch 100 foxes?
• Samson ties two to each torch, lights the torches and lets them loose in the grain fields.  What does this sound like to you?  Who would do that?
• The grain in stacks, plus the standing grain, plus vineyards and olives are burned.  It's the harvest time (see v.1), so what did Samson just do?
• They ask who did that, everyone knows who, but they also know why.  What does that tell you about this area, and these people?
• The Philistines punish Samson's ex and her family, but Samson says something really weird when they do.  So, he's there, and tries to stop them, but isn't able?  What do you think happened, how do you imagine the scene?
• Read verse 7 in a few translations, like KJV, NIV, and NLT.  There isn't much difference in meaning overall, but in nuance, there is an emphasis on the fact he says he'll quit after he done which is missing in more modern translations.  Why do you think that would be emphasised by Samson?  What does it tell you about Him?
• There is an odd Hebrew idiom in verse 8.  It says, "He struck them 'leg on thigh'."  Even in the Greek version it reads that way.  Read the verse here on the Blue Letter Bible in the Christian Standard Version.  At the top, switch versions a couple of times to see how other versions translate it.  What do you think it means "hip on thigh" or "leg on thigh"?  Try and visualize the fight.  What does it mean?
• The Philistines now camp against Judah in Lehi.  Why do you think Timnah isn't being visited?  The people seem to know what's going on in that region, why go to Lehi in Judah suddenly?
• The Philistines are looking for Samson.  They know who did what in Timnah, but can't find him.  The men of Judah go get Samson themselves, rather than just tell the Philistines where he is.  Why do you think they go themselves (3,000 strong, but still, themselves)?
• He agrees to go with them, and the Philistines are "very happy to see him."  Look at verse 14 in a few translations.  So, did Samson break the ropes binding him, or did they simply fall off as if burnt?  What do you think, how do you imagine it happening?
• So, using the jawbone of a dead donkey as a weapon, Samson kills 1,000 men.  Think about that, if you need it, Google a donkey jawbone image, how would someone use that as a weapon?
• After the "Great Donkey Jawbone Battle of 1327 BC", Samson spontaneously composes a poem (or song?).  What do you think of him doing that right then?  Imagine the scene.  What's this guy like?
• Immediately after the notes of his soliloquy end, Samson throws the jawbone from his hand, and names the place.  Look up the name in the NLT.  So, what was it before?  It sounds like an old western, "the Town of Jawbone".  We just didn't know it was a "donkey" jawbone.  Why do you think it had that name before all of this?
• He names the place, and then realizes he's "dying of thirst".  Really?  He can't wait to "go into town" or the local well or anything, he's going to die right there?  Think about how he puts that.  What do you think might be going on around him that makes getting away and getting a drink a bit difficult?
• God opened (or split) "a hollow place".  It literally means the "bowl of a mortar", as in a "mortar and pestle".  So, God makes a nice little pool for Samson right there. Samson names that too, and it's there even when the writer pens these words.  So, how seriously did God take Samson's complaint?  What does that tell you about the circumstances? Why do you think God would listen to Samson?
• Samson judges Israel 20 years.  What do you think this means for Samson and the people of Israel?

That should keep us busy for a few minutes Thursday.  Be sure to think through what this means for you and your relationship with God.  What is God like, and what sort of person is He calling you to be?

Spoiled Riddler

This is the Bible study page for the Thursday Night Bible Study meeting October 19 to study Judges 14.  This is the first marriage of Samson.  It sets up much of what later gets Samson in so much trouble.

Read through the chapter using a few translations.  Modern translations have a field day using different English idioms for the Hebrew equivalents.  Some literal translations will simply use the Hebrew idioms, but not very many.

Make notes and jot down questions for yourself from what you read.  After you have some notes and questions, go back through with a commentary or study Bible notes.  Once you revise your notes and questions, go back through with the questions below:

• Read the articles on "Timnah".  Considering it's on the frontier between the Sons of Israel and the Philistines, why do you think Samson was headed down there?
• Samson sees a woman and goes to his parents to arrange a marriage with her.  What do you think if Samson's attitude with his parents?
• His father and mother want Samson to marry from among his tribe.  What do you think of the explanation provided by the author in verse 4?
• It seems like Samson is walking with his parents when the lion attacks, but then we're told that he didn't tell his parents.  How do you imagine this scene?
• Samson is overpowered by the Spirit of Yahweh, and he tears the lion with his bare hands.  What do you think Samson thought of that?
• The woman "is pleasing in Samson's eyes".  So, he returns to "take her", but stops along the way to look at the dead lion.  This reads like the author is leaving stuff out.  We can connect the dots without him writing it, but why do you think he is leaving things out?
• Why do you think Samson wanted to look at the dead lion on his way back to Timnah?
• The way the Hebrew reads, the presence of the honey is surprising.  Why do you think bees and honey would be so unexpected in a dead lion carcass?  Why do you think the bees and honey were there?
• Samson scoops out some honey and eats it on his way into town.  And then he gives some to his parents without telling them where it came from.  How does this detail make you feel?  What do you think of Samson? What sort of person do you think he is at this point?
• Why might Samson hide the source of the honey from his parents?
• Samson's father goes down to the woman, and Samson throws a feast. Why do you think the writer is, again, skipping details?
• Where do the "thirty friends" come from?  Who arranged for them?
• What's more fun with your friends than riddles, so Samson asks one.  Where was the lion killed again? (verse 6).  So, why has no one from Timnah found it and the honey yet?
• What do you think might be significant about the clothes in this wager?
• The wager doesn't seem fair since they only have to come up with a change of clothes apiece, but he would have to come up with thirty.  Why do you think Samson does this?
• Read the riddle in a few translations.  This is a unique circumstance where the English actually rhymes.  So, the wording in nearly ever translation is the same, except where the KJV has "sweetness", ruining the rhyme.  What do you think of a "poetic" Samson?
• The 30 "friends" can't come up with an answer in 3 days, and then, on the fourth day...or was it the "seventh day"?  Look up verse 15 in the KJV.  The Greek version of the Hebrew Scriptures has fourth day.  Which makes more sense to you?
• The friends accuse Samson's woman of bringing them here to "impoverish" them.  How would a suit of clothes apiece impoverish the "ruling" people?
• They threaten to burn down her father's house if she doesn't get Samson to give her the answer.  What do you think of these "friends" of Samson?
• Samson's woman resorts to weeping.  Okay, so how old is this cliche?  What do you think of her?
• How long does she "weep" before him?  How long was this feast anyway?  The men didn't even ask her until the fourth day.  So, why has she been weeping the whole seven days to know the riddle?
• On the seventh day he tells her, and she tells the people of the "sons of her people".  What do you think of Samson for giving in to his woman?  What do you think of her for ratting out the answer to "her people"?
• Why do you think it's significant that they tell Samson the answer before the sun goes down?
• This through Samson's response to them.  Nearly all translations preserve the Hebrew idiom.  Why do you think it needs no interpretation?  What does it seem to imply about Samson's view of his woman?
• Samson doesn't buy 30 sets of clothes, he kills thirty men from Ashdod for them.  What do you think of Samson's solution?  Remember, he's under the influence of the "Spirit of Yahweh" as he does it.
• Do you think he had the clothes of the dead men "dry cleaned" first, or just gave the clothes to them "as is"?  What do you think it would have meant either way?
• He's angry so he goes back to his father's house.  And the woman is given to one of his friends...So, is Samson married or not?

That should be plenty to keep us discussing into the wee hours of the evening.  Bring your questions and notes with you.

Annunciating Samson

This is the Bible study page for the Thursday Night Bible Study Group meeting October 12 to study Judges 13.  This chapter almost sounds like Luke 1, with Zechariah, Elizabeth, and Mary.

You will want a few translations for this chapter.  I recommend at least a King James in addition to the NIV favorite.  The NASB and ESV are also very good for this chapter.  If you can, try to review all four.

All those should get you reading the chapter through a few times.  Make sure you jot down questions and insights.  Once you have your own notes, review a commentary or two.  Revise your questions and notes, and then go through the questions below:

• The new "bad guy" is the Philistines.  Look at a map of Canaan and see where this particular enemy is located.  Where is the "Tribe of Dan"?  What do you see that's odd about that?
• Manoah is named, but his wife is not.  Yet the Angel only goes to meet the mother.  Why do you think that might be?  Which of the parents is the "primary" character?
• Look up the "Nazarite" vow here.  From the article, we find that the vow was unusual to be a 'lifetime' vow, and never by the individual.  So, what do you think this lifetime vow meant for Samson growing up and during his adulthood?
• Notice that his mother also has to follow the "Nazarite" life during her pregnancy.  Why do you think that is, and what difference do you think this is supposed to make?
• The woman goes to tell her husband immediately.  From her description, who do you think she thinks came to visit her?
• Why do you think she would include the detail about where the "man of God" was from or his name?
• Manoah entreats (literally, prays) Yahweh to send back the "man of God".  And God does so.  Why do you think Yahweh listens to such a request?  Why is this in God's best interest?
• The Angel of Yahweh (v.3) and the Angel of God (v.9) are the same person.  Why do you think the writer uses different references here?
• The Angel of God appears to the woman sitting in a field.  What do you think she was doing there?  Why "sitting"?
• The woman runs to get Manoah, and he "gets up" to follow her?  Why do these two spend so much time "sitting"?  What do you think he's doing?
• Manoah begins to question the Angel of God.  He asks two questions, and the Angel seems perturbed and refers to the woman obeying what he has said.  What is the writer doing here, naming Manoah, but clearing putting the woman in front as the focus of Yahweh's attention?
• Then Manoah wants to be hospitable (prepare a goat).  But the Angel will not eat, why do you think that might be?
• The Angel suggests an offering to Yahweh, and the writer adds, "for Manoah did not know that he was the Angel of the Lord."  What difference do you think that would have made for what Manoah suggests?
• Verse 17 is weird.  It harkens back to the woman's comment about where the "man of God" was from and his name.  Why do you think that would be so important to Manoah? What do you think he means by, "honor" (and this is the normal Hebrew word for "honor")?
• What does the response of the Angel of God to Manoah tell you about how Yahweh feels about Manoah's request?
• Notice the Angel doesn't address the point about "honoring" him once the child happens.  Why do you think the name is a problem, but honoring him isn't?
• Verse 19 is difficult to translate, because the writer wasn't specific about who performed wonders.  So, the NIV has one view, the King James another, and the ESV yet another.  Other modern translations opt for the literal, "He performed wonders", avoiding the issue almost entirely.  So, who do you think performed the wonders before Manoah and his wife?
•  The Angel of Yahweh ascends in the flame to heaven.  From Manoah's and his wife's reaction, who do you think they think the Angel was?
• The Angel disappears, and Manoah knows he is the Angel of Yahweh (v. 21). From what he says to his woman, what seems to be the prevailing view about this Angelic Character?
• The nameless woman has a very different view from her husband, Manoah.  What does this tell you about this woman?  Why do you think she remains nameless?  What could be the writer's point?
• This term, "the Spirit of the Lord began to stir in him..." isn't found often (if at all) elsewhere in Scripture.  What do you think it means here?  Read ahead, do you still think that?

That should be enough oddities for our discussion.  It's a short chapter, but a fascinating beginning to one of the best Judges stories so far.  Remember to ask yourself what our Master is revealing to you about Himself, and your relationship with Him?