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102223 Session 13 Judges 16_29-31.pdf

Judges 16:21-31 | Samson’s Final Feat

Verses 21-23 - see session 11

Verses 24-28 - see session 12

Verse 29 -

As in verse 26, the text goes out of its way to let the reader aware of the archetectural weakness upon which samson was about to capitalize.

The narrative of Samson bringing down a building by displacing two central pillars, as described in the Biblical account, finds echoes in archaeological discoveries in the ancient Levant. In particular, ruins of Philistine temples have been unearthed which exhibit a design reliant on two central pillars for structural support, akin to the edifice described in the Samson narrative. Below are the archaeological evidences from different regions:

1. Tel Qasile and Tel Miqne (Ancient Ekron): Temples excavated at Tel Qasile, located in northern Tel Aviv, and Tel Miqne, which is ancient Ekron situated 21 miles south of Tel Aviv, were found to share a distinctive architectural feature - their roofs were upheld by two central pillars. These pillars were fabricated from wood and were positioned on stone support bases, serving as critical structural elements of the temples [fn1]
2. Ancient Ekron: In a separate excavation some 20 miles from the Philistine site of ancient Ekron, archaeologist Trude Dothan uncovered another temple during the 1990s. This temple, too, showcased the same architectural characteristic of having two central pillars supporting the roof. It's noteworthy to mention that the city of Gath, where the account of Samson is believed to have transpired, has yet to be excavated due to a modern city overlaying the ancient remains. [fn2]
3. Philistine Temple at Tel Qasile (11th century B.C.): In 1972, archaeologists unearthed a Philistine temple from the 11th century B.C. at Tel Qasile near Tel Aviv. Within the main hall of this temple, two round stone bases were discovered, which originally served as the foundations for wooden pillars supporting the temple's roof. [fn3]
4. Hall with Two Wooden Pillars: In a publication, Wood describes a hall with dimensions of 18 1/2 feet by 23 1/2 feet, wherein the roof was originally supported by two wooden pillars. These pillars were set on round, well-crafted stone bases, positioned along a central axis, aligning with the depiction of the temple in the Samson narrative. [fn4]

These archaeological findings resonate with the biblical account of Samson and the two central pillars, providing a tangible backdrop to the narrative. The recurring architectural motif of two central pillars in the temples of the ancient Levant underscores the plausibility of the Samson narrative within its historical and geographical context.

The pillars are invariably pictured as stone pillars in art, but it is believed that there were stone bases with cedar posts on the bases, with only the weight of the building holding the pillars in place. This makes the Samson scenario entirely plausible.

Verse 30 -

Samson's final prayer is to "die with the Philistines." It is a prayer of faith in that he is confident in the death of the Philistines. It is also a prayer of sacrifice and repentance, as he gives his own life to bring about the destruction of the enemy.

According to the account, Samson "bowed himself with all his might." There are different interpretations of this action, with some suggesting that he pulled the pillars inward and others proposing that he pushed them outward. Regardless of the specific action, the result was the collapse of the "house," causing more casualties than all of Samson's previous exploits combined. It is worth noting that the Hebrew word translated as "house" has a broad meaning, similar to the English word, and can refer to a family (as in the next verse), nation, temple, or common home.

Verse 31 -

The burial of Samson demonstrates the love and respect he received, even in light of his failures. It is unfortunate that Samson's life is often remembered more for Delilah than for anything else. Yet, through his physical strength, intellectual vigor, and spiritual commitment, Samson served as a judge for Israel for twenty years, delivering them from forty years of Philistine oppression. For this, he should be remembered with grace.

Concluding Thoughts On The Life of Samson