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100823 Sssion 11 Judges 16_18-23.pdf
Verses 1-9, see Session 9
Verses 10-17, see Session 10
The final presentation by Samson must have been different from his previous attempts to deflect. Now Delilah knows that "he had told her all his heart."
One would expect a woman with any compassion to show some sympathy and perhaps even refrain from sharing the information with the Philistines. However, Delilah shows no signs of love and immediately "called for the lords of the Philistines." They arrived with "money in their hand," which may have been Delilah's primary motivation from the start. It should be noted that nowhere in the text is Delilah presented as a woman with even a hint of Samson’s best interest at heart.
While he was asleep, Delilah brought in the barber. Scissors and razors have been in use for at least 4,000 years, so the necessary tools to cut his hair were readily available at the time. As she cut his hair, she immediately "began to afflict him," and his strength vanished instantly.
The saddest words, perhaps, of the Samson account come when he awakens, having deceived himself. “He wist not that the LORD was departed from him.” It seems that God’s presence had been upon Samson from the day of his conception, but now was gone. For those of us who know the rest of the story, we rejoice that the presence of the Lord will return.
Note that the archaic but poetic word "wist" is the past tense of "wit." While today, the word "wit" is only used to describe sharp intellectual humor, the word was originally used to refer to knowledge.
As harsh as we may be towards Samson, it is challenging for all of us to accept the realization that "I will go out as at other times before" will not happen, whether it is a loss of spiritual strength, physical strength, or simply a change in circumstances.
The punishment seems to be immediate and consists of four parts. Firstly, they blind the individual. Blinding was a common practice in the ancient Near East and surrounding areas. By blinding someone, they would be rendered nearly incapable of participating in combat, escaping captivity, or leading a revolt. It served as a method of ensuring long-term incapacitation without the need for constant surveillance. Later, King Zedekiah, the last king of Israel, would have his eyes gouged out by Nebuchadnezzar (2 Kings 25:7). Also compare Numbers 16:14 to see the somewhat standard nature of this practice.
Second, they brought him to Gaza. The Delilah incident happened in the valley of Sorek, whose exact location is unknown. Gaza, however, was the most prominent of the five Philistine cities, all today in or around the Gaza strip. Gaza was the capital city of the Philistine coalition. It was in Gaza that Samson previously demonstrated his strength by lifting the city gates (Judges 16:1-3). Now, he is returned there in humiliation.
Third, they “bound him with fetters of brass.” If there is significance to brass, we are unaware. Likely this was the strongest and most long-lasting material. Iron fetters would have likely also been available, but would be prone to rust.
Fourth, they made him “grind in the prison house.” The work of milling grain was laborious and, depending on the mill, physically taxing. Furthermore, this appears to be a job done by women, thus adding to the humiliation (Ex. 11:5, Mt. 24:41).