Samson’s Prayer for Strength

“Then Samson called to the Lord and said, ‘O Lord God, please remember me and please strengthen me only this once, O God, that I may be avenged on the Philistines for my two eyes.’  And Samson grasped the two middle pillars on which the house rested, and he leaned his weight against them, his right hand on the one and his left hand on the other.  And Samson said, ‘Let me die with the Philistines.’  Then he bowed with all his strength, and the house fell upon the lords and upon all the people who were in it.  So the dead whom he killed at his death were more than those whom he had killed during his life.” –Judges16:28-30 (ESV).

Samson was one of the twelve judges who led the loosely organized nation of Israel from the death of Joshua until Saul became the nation’s first king (mid-14^th or late 13^th century to the mid-11^th century).  A great problem arose when the Israelites went against God’s requirements and did not completely rid the Promised Land of pagan elements.  The people would be faithful to God for a while, then take on the practices of their heathen neighbors, fall into rebellion against God, suffer the consequences, repent and renew their commitment to God, then have another period of peace and favor with God.  The cycle would repeat itself again as another judge would lead them. 

Samson was the twelfth and last of the judges.  His time of leadership was around 1100 B. C. for a twenty-year period.  Before his birth, his parents, Manoah and his wife (whose name is not given) vowed to rear their child as a Nazarite, meaning he would abstain from strong drink and his hair would not be cut.  Samson grew up a comely, strong young man.  But despite his parents’ rearing him in the fear of the Lord, Samson had some weaknesses that led him into grave trouble and jeopardized his leadership potential.  He did not always live a devoted life nor keep his vows to the Lord.  He had immoral relationships with a Gaza harlot and with Delilah, a Philistien woman,  who tricked him into telling the secret of his strength.  Samson was captured and his eyes punched out.  He who had been strong and had the promise of a noble leadership position in Israel had to grind at the mill like a common slave.  But his opportunity came for a last brave stand for God and the right at a time when 3,000 Philistines were gathered in one place.  Samuel was made to entertain them with a show of his strength.  He prayed, “strengthen me only this once, O God,” and prepared himself to push against the main supporting pillars of the building in order to have it crash.  In this last brave effort of Samuel, he killed more of the enemy than any of his previous exploits had accomplished and also lost his own life.

Samson’s name is listed in the roll call of the faithful in Hebrews 11:32.  He is an example of God’s forgiveness at work, despite human failure and sin.  In his dying act, he demonstrated his faith in God and his willingness to give his life for a cause in which he believed.

Prayer:  God, at this crossroads time in our own country, raise up men, even as Samson, who can, despite human weaknesses, have a burst of strength and godly resolution.  We need brave, resolute men to stand for what is right.  As we ourselves are given opportunity to stand in the gap, give us the courage to do so.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.