The Story Of Samson, Samuel & Hannah

The story of Samson is found in the biblical book of Judges, chapters 13-16. Samson was one of the judges appointed by God to deliver the Israelites from the oppression of their Philistine enemies.

The story begins with the announcement of Samson’s birth to his parents, Manoah and his unnamed wife. An angel of the Lord appeared to Manoah’s wife and declared that she would conceive a son who would be a Nazirite – a person specially consecrated to God. As a Nazirite, the boy was to never cut his hair, drink wine or strong drink, or touch anything unclean.

When the boy, Samson, was born, the Spirit of the Lord began to stir within him. As he grew, Samson exhibited superhuman strength, which was a sign of God’s power and calling on his life. On one occasion, he tore a lion apart with his bare hands.

Samson’s first major exploit was when he visited a Philistine city and fell in love with a Philistine woman. On his way to visit her, Samson was attacked by a young lion, which he killed with his bare hands. Later, he found a swarm of bees had made honey in the carcass of the lion, which he ate.

At the wedding feast, Samson posed a riddle to the Philistines, challenging them to solve it within seven days. If they succeeded, he would owe them 30 linen garments and 30 sets of clothes. If they failed, they would owe him the same. The Philistines were unable to solve the riddle, so they threatened Samson’s bride-to-be to get her to betray the answer.

Enraged, Samson killed 30 Philistines, took their clothes, and gave them to the men who had solved his riddle. This was just the beginning of Samson’s exploits against the Philistines, who would become his lifelong enemies.

The first part of Samson’s story depicts his immense strength and his early battles against the Philistines, foreshadowing his eventual role as a deliverer of Israel.