Samson's Final Victory

Judges 16:21–31 KJV 1900

But the Philistines took him, and put out his eyes, and brought him down to Gaza, and bound him with fetters of brass; and he did grind in the prison house. Howbeit the hair of his head began to grow again after he was shaven. Then the lords of the Philistines gathered them together for to offer a great sacrifice unto Dagon their god, and to rejoice: for they said, Our god hath delivered Samson our enemy into our hand. And when the people saw him, they praised their god: for they said, Our god hath delivered into our hands our enemy, and the destroyer of our country, which slew many of us. And it came to pass, when their hearts were merry, that they said, Call for Samson, that he may make us sport. And they called for Samson out of the prison house; and he made them sport: and they set him between the pillars. And Samson said unto the lad that held him by the hand, Suffer me that I may feel the pillars whereupon the house standeth, that I may lean upon them. Now the house was full of men and women; and all the lords of the Philistines were there; and there were upon the roof about three thousand men and women, that beheld while Samson made sport. And Samson called unto the Lord, and said, O Lord God, remember me, I pray thee, and strengthen me, I pray thee, only this once, O God, that I may be at once avenged of the Philistines for my two eyes. And Samson took hold of the two middle pillars upon which the house stood, and on which it was borne up, of the one with his right hand, and of the other with his left. 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. Then his brethren and all the house of his father came down, and took him, and brought him up, and buried him between Zorah and Eshtaol in the buryingplace of Manoah his father. And he judged Israel twenty years.

No one is exempt from the consequences of sin -- even God’s chosen

People forget that and then we hear about them in the news

It is so good that God is long-suffering, that he loves us and that he forgives us. He will not leave us out in the cold, God’s grace always leaves room for redemption

It was time for a party, they were victorious over their enemy. He had been captured, they had gouged out his eyes so escape was impossible and now they wanted to celebrate and their celebration was to brag to a false god, Dagon

When bad things happen to God’s people, it’s only because He allows it. When you belong to God and you sin, be assured there will be a consequence, even if you repent.

They got lit, they were drunk, mistake #1-- and when you allow those spirits to overtake you, you lose control and do dumb stuff--the Philistines did something dumb

In their joy and celebration they wanted to flaunt their victory and brought Samson out to entertain them in some way - mistake #2

Samson was tired, but Samson also had a plan -- the pillars were the support for the house, which in this case was like a coliseum. But like with any structure there are main supports and if you take out or compromise that main support the whole structure will come down--and Samson knew that.

Everyone was there to see the show, to see their great victory

How many know you can have eyesight, but still be blind?

Samson killed over 3000 Philistines that day and himself and God allowed it

Research and Discussion

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