Old Testament Character Sketch Bible Study on SamsonName: Jennie K ReaumeDate: 06232019Section: BIBL 104 ” B09 LUOI. ObservationFor this character-sketch Bible study I will be studying Samson.Bible passages referencing Samson:NIV Quest Study BibleJudges 13:1 Judges 13:24 Judges 14:1 Judges 14:3 Judges 14:5 Judges 14:10 Judges 14:12 Judges 14:18 Judges 15:1 Judges 15:3Judges 15:6 Judges 15:7 Judges 15:10-12 Judges 15:16 Judges 15:19-20Judges 16: 1-3Judges 16:6-7Judges 16:9-10 Judges 16:12-14 Judges 16:20Judges 16:23 Judges 16:25-30 Hebrews 11:32 Impressions of Bible passages referencing Samson:Samson was blessed by the LORD from the moment of his birth. (Judges 13:24) Samson knew what he needed to do even if his father did not understand (Judges 14:3) Samson reacted with the spirit of the LORD but sought no recognition for his acts.
(Judges 14:5) Samson was sometimes arrogant to his detriment. (Judges 14:12) Samson was often ruled by his emotions rather than the will of the LORD. (Judges 15:3) Samson needed the men of Judah to agree to not kill him so that he could extract his revenge on the Philistines. (Judges 15:12) Samson felt that they had originally made a donkey of him and ultimately, he turned the tables back on them.
(Judges 15:16) Samson was a lust filled man driven by his desires rather than God’s will. (Judges 16:1) Samson thought that by confiding his secret to Delilah she would believe his love for her and not forsake him. (Judges 16:20) Even in his debilitated state Samson stayed focus on his goal of defeating the enemy. (Judges 16:26) Samson was once again driven by revenge and called on the LORD to strengthen him one final time. (Judges 16:28) Samson was willing to die in order to obtain his vengeance and God was able to punish the Philistines for their blasphemous actions.
(Judges 16:30)
Key Questions of structural or grammatical elements:Observations related to Who?Samson was a Nazarite from before conception until his death. Samson’s father was Manoah, but his mother remained an unnamed Danite woman. Samson sought to marry a Philistine woman who was also unnamed. This union was never consummated, and she was given to an unnamed companion of Samson. Delilah was the only woman in the story of Samson to be called by name and although he loved her, they were never married. Samson was one of twelve leaders who judged Israel. Samson was a ferocious warrior whose special gift was extreme physical strength. Samson facilitated freeing the Israeli people from the rule of the Philistines and went on to lead them for twenty years. He was at times evil and lacked all self-control and had complete disregard for the Nazarite vows. God utilized Samson to punish the Philistines for their worship of false gods. (Hindson, p. 120-136)Observations related to What?What was a Nazarite? Someone dedicated to the LORD from the womb.What was Samson’s prophecy? God said that he would be born to lead the people of Israel out from the rule of the Philistines.
What was God’s reply to Manoah when he asked his name? He replied, Why do you ask my name? It is beyond understanding. (Judges 13:18)What happened when a young lion came roaring toward Samson? The Spirit of the LORD came powerfully upon him so that he tore the lion apart with his bare hands as he might have torn apart a young goat. (Judges 14:6)What did Samson do upon hearing that his wife had been given away to get revenge? he went out and caught three hundred foxes and tied them tail to tail in pairs. He then fastened a torch to every pair of tails and lit the torches and the foxes loose in the standing grain of the Philistines. (Judges 15:4)What did Samson use to kill 1000 Philistine soldiers? The jawbone of a donkey. (Judges 15-16)Observations related to Where?Where was Samson born? ZorahWhere did Samson find his Philistine bride-to-be? In Timnah. I have seen a Philistine woman in Timnah; now get her for me as my wife. (Judges 14:2)Where did Samson strike down thirty men in a fit of anger? Ashkelon.Where was the place of Samson’s victory over 1000 Philistine soldiers? Ramath LehiWhere did Samson find Delilah? The Valley of SorekWhere did Samson meet his demise? In a temple in the city of Gaza.Observations related to When?When did the life of Samson take place?
The Lord had given the disobedient people of Israel to the Philistines for a period of forty years. Samson was the last judge of Israel and fulfilled the prophecy of punishing the Philistines and freeing the Israelites.Observations related to Why?Why did Manoah believe he and his wife were going to die? We are doomed to die! he said to his wife We have seen God!Why did the Philistines burn the man from Timnah and his daughter? Because the father had given the daughter to Samson’s companion. This enraged Samson causing him to burn the Philistine’s grain, vineyards and olive groves.Why did Samson reveal his secret to Delilah? He grew tired of her badgering and when she asked him how he could say he loved her when he did not confide in her he gave in. (Judges 15-17)Character Timeline:Samson was born a Nazarite in Zorah.Samson receives the Spirit of the Lord.Samson proposes marriage to a Philistine woman in Timnah.Samson slays a young lion with his bare hands.Samson taunted the bridal party with a riddle.After his betrothed reveals the riddle answer to her people Samson becomes enraged and angrily pays his debt.Samson retreats to his father’s home.
Samson returns for his wife to find she has been given to his companion.Samson swears vengeance on the Philistines.Samson catches 300 foxes and utilizes them to burn the Philistine crops.Samson convinces the men of Judah to not kill him but instead to deliver him to the Philistines. Samson kills one thousand Philistine soldiers with the jawbone of a donkey.Samson cries out to the LORD in thirst like the Israelites did in the dessert and God answered his call.Samson leads Israel for twenty years.Samson broke all his Nazarite vows and was a vicious warrior who succumbed to temptations.Samson meets Delilah in the Valley of Sorek.Samson falls victim to Delilah’s persuasions and reveals his secret to her.Samson’s head is shaved, and he is captured by the Philistines.Samson’s eyes are gouged out and he is taken to a prison in Gaza.Samson’s hair began to grow but his strength did not return.Samson is taken to a temple to entertain the Philistines.Samson was tied to pillars within the temple.Samson finally repented and cried out to the LORD for a final time.
Samson collapsed the temple on three thousand Philistines and died with them in the debris.II. InterpretationRely on God’s strengthSamson was blessed with amazing physical strength but ultimately it was God’s strength that he needed to call upon in the end. He is listed with the heroes of faith in Heb. 11:32 because his strength came from God and because in his dying act, he demonstrated his faith. (HIBD p. 1439).Let God work through youSamson was not a devoted humble servant. He was created with the sole purpose of fulfilling prophecy. for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose. (Phillipians 2:13). God worked through Samson even if it meant using Samson’s weaknesses as tools for his work.It is never too late to repent. In the end Samson had to call to the LORD for the strength to perform the first unselfish act he had ever done. It was then that Samson truly repented for the first and last time. O God, he prayed, strengthen me just once more Let me die with the Philistines! (Hindson, p. 134). Don’t abuse or take for granted our gifts from God.
“We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. (Romans 12:6)” Samson was gifted with amazing strength that came to him through The Spirit of the Lord.. He misused his gift for selfish reasons for his entire life but in retrospect God used his gift as a warrior tool against the enemy.There are consequences to our actions.As a result of their disobedience of Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden, God has given us free will. We can make our own choices, but we must realize that the choices we make, good or bad, do have consequences. In the case of Samson The consequences of his sin were humiliation and defeat. (Hindson, p. 134). III. CorrelationHow does this character’s life reflect other truths found in the Scriptures?Disobedience to GodThroughout Scripture there are many examples of those who blatantly disobeyed God and suffered the consequences, Adam and Eve, Cain, Jonah just to name a few. Samson is a perfect example of one who ignored the will of the LORD and followed a selfish path to his own detriment. (Judges 13-16)God’s use of conquering or commanding animalsThere are many examples of God utilizing animals to perpetuate his will.
There is Jonah and the whale, Daniel and the lion’s den, Aarons staff becoming a serpent and Samson killing the young lion. (Judges 14:6)The fulfillment of a prophecyThe Angel of God spoke to Manoah and his wife foretelling of Samsons birth and his being a Nazarite. Samsons entire life from conception to death was the fulfillment of the prophecy that was spoke to them. (Judges 13,16) Prophetic events that came to fruition is a reoccurring theme within the Bible. How does this character’s life point me to Jesus? Samson’s life shows us that anyone can be saved just by having true faith in God and humbling before him. for everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved (Romans 10:13)God created Samson, just as he created Jesus, by speaking to a woman and foretelling a miraculous birth and prophecy. Although their lives had many similarities, the difference between the two men was obedience. We learn the rewards of an obedient life by not replicating the actions of Samson and instead following the path of Christ. and this is love; that we walk in obedience to his commands.
As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love. (John1:6)Samson was born to deliver Israel from the Philistines and Jesus was born to deliver all people from sin. Both men utilized their deaths to accomplish their purpose. Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. (Psalm 107:6)IV. ApplicationWhat points of application can be made using the Four Common Questions? A. The question of dutySamson was given the responsibilities of a Nazarite and a Judge. He chose his own selfish desires over the duties of either.B.
The question of characterSamson thought he was special and therefore entitled. He lacked any kind of character or moral compass and was a sinful, wicked man.C. The question of causeSamson had been told of the prophecy of his life since his birth. He knew what his purpose was, but his only cause was pleasing himself.D. The question of discernmentSamson was not a good person much less a good leader. He repeatedly let his desires determine his choices. His ability to make good decisions was most often clouded by his lustful nature
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