From Strength to Weakness

Examples of Samson’s Power

As we begin today’s message I want to give you a handful of examples of the supernatural strength Samson possessed. Repeatedly, throughout these chapters we are given glimpses of Samson’s supernatural abilities that cause us to raise him to a superhero type status when we think of him. Notice the following examples:

Judges 14:5–6 NKJV

So Samson went down to Timnah with his father and mother, and came to the vineyards of Timnah. Now to his surprise, a young lion came roaring against him. And the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon him, and he tore the lion apart as one would have torn apart a young goat, though he had nothing in his hand. But he did not tell his father or his mother what he had done.

Judges 15:4–5 NKJV

Then Samson went and caught three hundred foxes; and he took torches, turned the foxes tail to tail, and put a torch between each pair of tails. When he had set the torches on fire, he let the foxes go into the standing grain of the Philistines, and burned up both the shocks and the standing grain, as well as the vineyards and olive groves.

Judges 15:14–15 NKJV

When he came to Lehi, the Philistines came shouting against him. Then the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon him; and the ropes that were on his arms became like flax that is burned with fire, and his bonds broke loose from his hands. He found a fresh jawbone of a donkey, reached out his hand and took it, and killed a thousand men with it.

Judges 16:1–3 NKJV

Now Samson went to Gaza and saw a harlot there, and went in to her. When the Gazites were told, “Samson has come here!” they surrounded the place and lay in wait for him all night at the gate of the city. They were quiet all night, saying, “In the morning, when it is daylight, we will kill him.” And Samson lay low till midnight; then he arose at midnight, took hold of the doors of the gate of the city and the two gateposts, pulled them up, bar and all, put them on his shoulders, and carried them to the top of the hill that faces Hebron.

As strong as Samson was, Samson had his kryptonite. We read about Superman in the comics, and have watched the movies through the years and most of us know that even though Superman could leap tall buildings in a single bound, even though he was faster than a locomotive…SUPERMAN WAS SIMPLY A MERE HUMAN IN THE PRESENCE OF KRYPTONITE and it appears that Samson melted in the presence of his kryptonite as well.

The Reality of Samson’s Kryptonite

Lustful Desire

Judges 14:1–3 NKJV

Now Samson went down to Timnah, and saw a woman in Timnah of the daughters of the Philistines. So he went up and told his father and mother, saying, “I have seen a woman in Timnah of the daughters of the Philistines; now therefore, get her for me as a wife.” Then his father and mother said to him, “Is there no woman among the daughters of your brethren, or among all my people, that you must go and get a wife from the uncircumcised Philistines?” And Samson said to his father, “Get her for me, for she pleases me well.”

Judges 14:7 NKJV

Then he went down and talked with the woman; and she pleased Samson well.

The ESV translates the phrase in these two verses, “she pleases me well” as “SHE IS RIGHT IN MY EYES.”

Notice what happens in Judges 16:1

Judges 16:1 NKJV

Now Samson went to Gaza and saw a harlot there, and went in to her.

Notice also Judges 16:4

Judges 16:4 NKJV

Afterward it happened that he loved a woman in the Valley of Sorek, whose name was Delilah.

Wearied into Manipulation

You may remember in Judges 14:14 Samson told a riddle that no one could figure out. The Philistines talked Samson’s wife into trying to figure out the riddle so they would win the contest. Notice what happens next:

Judges 14:15–17 NKJV

But it came to pass on the seventh day that they said to Samson’s wife, “Entice your husband, that he may explain the riddle to us, or else we will burn you and your father’s house with fire. Have you invited us in order to take what is ours? Is that not so?” Then Samson’s wife wept on him, and said, “You only hate me! You do not love me! You have posed a riddle to the sons of my people, but you have not explained it to me.” And he said to her, “Look, I have not explained it to my father or my mother; so should I explain it to you?” Now she had wept on him the seven days while their feast lasted. And it happened on the seventh day that he told her, because she pressed him so much. Then she explained the riddle to the sons of her people.

This wasn’t the only time Samson was manipulated. We all remember the story of Delilah...

Judges 16:4–18 NKJV

Afterward it happened that he loved a woman in the Valley of Sorek, whose name was Delilah. And the lords of the Philistines came up to her and said to her, “Entice him, and find out where his great strength lies, and by what means we may overpower him, that we may bind him to afflict him; and every one of us will give you eleven hundred pieces of silver.” So Delilah said to Samson, “Please tell me where your great strength lies, and with what you may be bound to afflict you.” And Samson said to her, “If they bind me with seven fresh bowstrings, not yet dried, then I shall become weak, and be like any other man.” So the lords of the Philistines brought up to her seven fresh bowstrings, not yet dried, and she bound him with them. Now men were lying in wait, staying with her in the room. And she said to him, “The Philistines are upon you, Samson!” But he broke the bowstrings as a strand of yarn breaks when it touches fire. So the secret of his strength was not known. Then Delilah said to Samson, “Look, you have mocked me and told me lies. Now, please tell me what you may be bound with.” So he said to her, “If they bind me securely with new ropes that have never been used, then I shall become weak, and be like any other man.” Therefore Delilah took new ropes and bound him with them, and said to him, “The Philistines are upon you, Samson!” And men were lying in wait, staying in the room. But he broke them off his arms like a thread. Delilah said to Samson, “Until now you have mocked me and told me lies. Tell me what you may be bound with.” And he said to her, “If you weave the seven locks of my head into the web of the loom”— So she wove it tightly with the batten of the loom, and said to him, “The Philistines are upon you, Samson!” But he awoke from his sleep, and pulled out the batten and the web from the loom. Then she said to him, “How can you say, ‘I love you,’ when your heart is not with me? You have mocked me these three times, and have not told me where your great strength lies.” And it came to pass, when she pestered him daily with her words and pressed him, so that his soul was vexed to death, that he told her all his heart, and said to her, “No razor has ever come upon my head, for I have been a Nazirite to God from my mother’s womb. If I am shaven, then my strength will leave me, and I shall become weak, and be like any other man.” When Delilah saw that he had told her all his heart, she sent and called for the lords of the Philistines, saying, “Come up once more, for he has told me all his heart.” So the lords of the Philistines came up to her and brought the money in their hand.

Lessons Learned from Samson’s Fatal Mistakes

This passage serves as a reminder that even those with great strength can be vulnerable to weakness. It encourages Christians to rely on God's strength rather than their own, and to seek His guidance in all things.

Teaching: This sermon teaches that true strength comes from humility and dependence on God. It also highlights the consequences of pride and disobedience, as seen in Samson's life.

Big Idea: Through humility and dependence on God, Christians can find strength in their weaknesses, avoiding the pitfalls of pride and disobedience.

Christians today should not find strength not in personal abilities, but in God's power and guidance, much like Jesus who, in His humanity, showed reliance on the Father's strength over His own.

Judges 15

Perhaps discuss the middle of Samson's story, emphasizing the consequences of personal vengeance and lack of self-control. This can serve as a cautionary tale that mirrors the teaching of Christ on forgiveness and the power of God's Spirit to overcome personal vendettas and weaknesses.

Judges 16

Maybe conclude with the final chapters of Samson's life, focusing on how his ultimate act of strength through humility and dependence on God prefigures Christ's sacrificial victory. This can inspire Christians to see their weaknesses as opportunities for God's power to manifest, leading to true strength.

This passage highlights the importance of obedience to God's word in overcoming weaknesses and temptations. It challenges Christians to heed God's instructions, trusting in His wisdom and guidance for victory over their own weaknesses.

The story of Samson emphasizes the consequences of disobedience and the redemptive power of repentance. It teaches that true strength is found in obedience to God, not in relying on one's own abilities or desires.

Big Idea: By following God's commands and walking in obedience, Christians can experience true strength that overcomes weaknesses and leads to spiritual victory. Obedience to God is the pathway to strength and triumph over sin.

Judges 14

You could discuss how Samson's initial actions, driven by personal desire rather than divine guidance, illustrate the pitfalls of relying on our own strength.

...despite our flaws, embracing obedience to God can redirect our paths towards His purposes, much like the imperfect example of Samson hints at the need for Christ's perfect obedience.

Judges 15

Samson's strength could not shield him from the repercussions of his actions can serve as a powerful reminder of the insufficiency of personal power in ensuring victory over sin. This point could emphasize the idea that true victory and strength are found in submission to God's will, reflecting the ultimate victory achieved through Christ's submission to the cross.

3. Redemption and Repentance

Judges 16

Perhaps conclude with a look into Samson's final acts, recognizing his moment of humility and repentance as a turning point that brings redemption. This can illustrate the transformative power of acknowledging our weaknesses before God and the redemptive possibilities when we surrender to His will.

Application: This passage challenges Christians to embrace their weaknesses and vulnerabilities, recognizing that it is through surrendering to God that His strength is made perfect. It encourages believers to turn to God in their areas of weakness, trusting that He can use them for His glory despite their imperfections.

Teaching: The life of Samson serves as a cautionary tale against relying solely on one's abilities and highlights the importance of humility and dependence on God. By acknowledging our weaknesses and seeking God's strength, we can experience true transformation and victory over sin.

How this passage could point to Christ: Samson's story points to the need for a Savior who is both strong and obedient to God's will—a role perfectly fulfilled by Jesus Christ. Through Christ's sacrificial obedience on the cross, believers find forgiveness, redemption, and the strength to overcome their weaknesses.

Big Idea: God's power is magnified in our weaknesses when we surrender to Him, allowing Him to use our imperfections for His glory. True strength is found in humility and reliance on God, transforming our weaknesses into opportunities for His grace and power to shine through us.

Judges 14

You could explore how Samson's reliance on his physical strength and failure to adhere to his Nazarite vows in Judges 14 highlights the dangers of self-reliance and the need for humility before God. This could serve as a powerful reminder that our greatest strengths can become our weakest points when not surrendered to God's purpose.

2. Pride's Pitfall, Path to Humility

Judges 15

Perhaps focus on the consequences of Samson’s actions driven by personal vendetta and anger in Judges 15, showing how acting on our own understanding leads to further chaos and pain. This point could underscore the importance of seeking God’s guidance in our struggle, reminding listeners that in our weakest, most flawed actions, God’s grace awaits to redirect us toward His glory.

3. Vulnerability’s Victory Through God

Judges 16:1-22

Maybe delve into the first part of Judges 16, where Samson’s vulnerability with Delilah leads to his downfall, to illustrate how our greatest vulnerabilities can either lead us away from God or draw us closer to Him, depending on our response to them. This could highlight the message that embracing our weaknesses and submitting them to God is the pathway to experiencing His strength in our lives.

4. Final Fall, Divine Triumph

Judges 16:23-31

You might want to conclude with the final act of Samson’s life in Judges 16:23-31, showing how, in his weakest moment, blind and imprisoned, Samson fully surrendered to God, allowing God to use him one last time for a great victory. This illustrates the sermon's big idea that God’s power is made perfect in weakness, and even our lowest points can be redeemed for His glory.

Judges 16:1-31 - "Samson's Fall and Redemption"

Conclude Samson's story with his betrayal by Delilah, his capture, and his final act of faith and deliverance.

See Handbook on the Historical Books 154-162