Topical Encyclopedia SamsonSamson is one of the most renowned judges of Israel, known for his extraordinary strength and tumultuous life. His account is primarily found in the Book of Judges, chapters 13 to 16. Samson was a Nazirite from birth, dedicated to God by his parents, Manoah and his wife, who were visited by the Angel of the LORD. The Angel announced that Samson would begin to deliver Israel from the Philistines, who were oppressing them at the time (Judges 13:5). Samson's life was marked by feats of strength, including slaying a lion with his bare hands (Judges 14:6), defeating thirty Philistines to settle a wager (Judges 14:19), and killing a thousand men with the jawbone of a donkey (Judges 15:15). Despite his physical prowess, Samson's life was also characterized by personal weaknesses, particularly his relationships with Philistine women, which ultimately led to his downfall. His most famous liaison was with Delilah, who was bribed by the Philistine rulers to discover the secret of his strength. After several failed attempts, Samson finally revealed that his strength lay in his uncut hair, a symbol of his Nazirite vow. Delilah betrayed him, leading to his capture, blinding, and imprisonment by the Philistines (Judges 16:17-21). In his final act, Samson called upon the LORD to restore his strength. He pushed down the pillars of the Philistine temple, killing himself and many Philistines, thus achieving a significant victory for Israel even in his death (Judges 16:28-30). The Sons of Samuel Samuel, the last judge of Israel and a prophet, played a pivotal role in the transition from the period of the judges to the establishment of the monarchy. He was dedicated to the LORD by his mother, Hannah, and served under Eli the priest at Shiloh. Samuel's leadership was marked by his dedication to God and his efforts to guide Israel in righteousness. Samuel had two sons, Joel and Abijah, who were appointed as judges over Israel in Beersheba (1 Samuel 8:1-2). However, unlike their father, Joel and Abijah did not follow in Samuel's righteous ways. The Bible records that they "turned aside after dishonest gain, accepted bribes, and perverted justice" (1 Samuel 8:3). Their corruption and failure to uphold justice led the elders of Israel to demand a king, which ultimately resulted in the anointing of Saul as the first king of Israel (1 Samuel 8:4-5). The failure of Samuel's sons serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of integrity and faithfulness in leadership. Despite their father's exemplary life and service to God, Joel and Abijah's actions contributed to a significant shift in Israel's governance, highlighting the impact of personal conduct on communal and national levels. Nave's Topical Index 1 Samuel 8:1-5And it came to pass, when Samuel was old, that he made his sons judges over Israel. Nave's Topical Index Library The King after Man's Heart The Exile Continued. The Testament of Judah Concerning Fortitude, and Love of Money ... Discussion of the Subject of Permission Missionary Hymns. Chapter xlix Letter cvii. To Laeta. The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus The Third Part. Book 5 Footnotes Resources How does God judge those who were raised in non-Christian cultures and have been taught their entire life that their own religion is correct, and Christianity is wrong? | GotQuestions.orgWhy did God sometimes judge the entire nation for the actions of its king? | GotQuestions.org Why did God judge Edom so harshly in the book of Obadiah? | GotQuestions.org Judge: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Judge: Appointed by the Persians Judge: Character of, and Precepts Relating To Judge: Corrupt: The Judges of Jezreel Judge: Judges (Outstanding Leaders) of Israel: During the Time when the Land Was Ruled by Judges Judge: Kings and Other Rulers As Judge: Samson: Samuel As the Leader (Judge) Judge: Samson: The Sons of Samuel Related Terms |
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