Judges 16:4-9
4 After this it came about that he was in love with a woman in the Valley of Sorek, whose name was Delilah.
5 So the governors of the Philistines came up to her and said to her, “Entice him, and see where his great strength lies and how we can overpower him so that we may bind him to humble him. Then we will each give you 1,100 pieces of silver.”
6 So Delilah said to Samson, “Please tell me where your great strength lies, and how you can be bound to humble you.”
7 And Samson said to her, “If they bind me with seven fresh animal tendons that have not been dried, then I will become weak and be like any other man.”
8 Then the governors of the Philistines brought up to her seven fresh animal tendons that had not been dried, and she bound him with them.
9 Now she had men prepared for an ambush in an inner room. And she said to him, “The Philistines are upon you, Samson!” But he tore the tendons to pieces just like a thread of flax is torn apart when it comes too close to fire. So his strength was not discovered.
Conspiracy to Capture Samson (1)
Delilah
Satan sets up various temptations to lead God’s children to destruction. When people face temptation, they don’t immediately fall into it, rather they gradually become ensnared by it. Eventually, their resistance against sin weakens, and they fall into the enemy’s schemes. In today’s passage, Samson undergoes such a bitter experience. Samson loved a woman named Delilah. Judging from the subsequent developments in the story, she was likely a Philistine woman. The lords of the Philistine, who learned that Samson was at Delilah’s house, they proposed a plan to her. (1) Find out the secret of Samson’s strength. The Bible doesn’t portray Samson as a big muscular man. He was an ordinary man who displayed extraordinary strength. The Philistines were amazed by this, but at the same time this was a great threat to them. (2) If she could uncover the secret, each of the lords would give her 1,100 pieces of silver. Since there were five Philistine lords, the total would be 5,500 pieces of silver. Judas received 30 pieces of silver as the price for betraying Jesus. Delilah would receive substantial amount of reward. (3) Delilah is a woman who is willing to engage in treacherous acts for the sake of money. Samson’s love for such a woman is truly foolish.
The first attempt
The interaction between Delilah and Samson continues for four times. Let’s take a look at the first exchange. The secret of Samson’s strength lies in him being a Nazirite and his connection to the Lord. Samson speaks falsely, yet there is some truth mixed in. (1) Samson says, “If you bind me with seven fresh animal tendons that have not been dried, I will become weak and be like any other man.” “Fresh animal tendons” refer to moist animal intestines, considered unclean for a Nazirite. Here, he hints that if he removes the Nazirite aspect from himself, his strength will be diminished. (2) There is a clue behind the number “seven.” His hair was divided into seven locks, indicating that the secret lay within his hair. He had begun walking on a very dangerous path. We must not toy with sin. The feeling of taking sin lightly, will lead to significant failures.
Today's prayer
Heavenly Father of Jesus Christ, please protect me so that I can stay connected to the Lord Jesus. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.