In the Lord providing Samson the deliverer

Judges 13

In Manoah’s (Samson’s parents had been long childless) reflection there is great fear; we shall surely die. In his wife’s reflection there is great faith as she was satisfied that the messenger was of God. As a help meet for him, she encouraged him. If God designed me to perish under his wrath, he would not give tokens of his favour. Blessed are those who have not seen, and as yet, as Manoah, have believed. Samson drank no wine or strong drink, yet excelled in strength and courage for he had the Spirit of God moving him. 

Judges 14 & 15

Samson’s marriage was weak and foolish of him to set his affections upon a daughter of the Philistines.  Shall a Nazarite, devoted to the Lord, covet to become one with a worshiper of Dagon?  Samson’s parents did well to dissuade him but he was bent upon it. His worldly wife became as an enemy in the camp. To save herself and oblige her countrymen, betrayed her husband. In the end the very thing she feared and by sin sought to avoid, came upon her and her fathers house was burned by fire. The mischief we seek to escape by any unlawful practices, we often pull down upon our own heads.

 By enabling him to kill a lion, God let Samson know what he could do in the strength of the Spirit of the Lord, that he might never be afraid to look the greatest difficulties in the face. When Samson vanquished the Philistines with the Jaw-bone of an ass, he made great destruction. This was to do wonders by the foolish things of the world that the excellency of the power might be of God, not man. We can do all things through Him that strengtheneth us.  So little notice did the men of Judah take of their deliverer, that he was ready to perish for want of a draught of water at one point. Samson prayed God in his distress and God caused a fountain suddenly and seasonably to open. Those that forget to attend God with their praises, may be compelled to attend him with their prayers.

Judges 16

Samson had been more than once brought into mischief and danger by the love of women yet he would not take warning, but is again taken in the same snare and the third time is fatal. Samson’s eyes were the inlet of his sin and now his punishment began there. He was blinded by the Philistines, he then had time to remember how his own lusts had before blinded him. By the loss of his bodily sight, the eyes of his understanding were opened; and by depriving him of his bodily strength, the Lord was pleased to renew his spiritual strength. Later that strength which he had lost by sin, he recovers by prayer one last time and the house is pulled down by the almighty power of God and the enemy is crushed. Samson died in bonds among the Philistines, but he died repentant and found mercy of the Lord at last.

The effects of his death typified those of the death of Christ, who, of his own will, laid down his life among transgressors, and thus overturned the foundation of Satan’s kingdom, and provided for the deliverance of his people. Every penitent shall obtain mercy, who flees for refuge to that saviour whose blood cleanses from all sin. 

From: Matthew Henry