Suicide: Samson
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Introduction

Samson, a judge of Israel, is a prominent biblical figure whose life and death are recorded in the Book of Judges. His account is often discussed in the context of suicide due to the manner of his death. Samson's life is marked by extraordinary feats of strength, personal failings, and ultimately, a sacrificial act that leads to his demise.

Biblical Account

Samson's narrative is found in Judges 13-16. He was born to Manoah and his wife, who were visited by an angel of the Lord announcing that Samson would begin to deliver Israel from the Philistines. As a Nazirite from birth, Samson was set apart for God's service, and his uncut hair was a symbol of his vow and the source of his strength (Judges 13:5).

Throughout his life, Samson exhibited both great strength and moral weakness. His exploits against the Philistines included tearing a lion apart with his bare hands (Judges 14:6), striking down thirty men (Judges 14:19), and killing a thousand men with the jawbone of a donkey (Judges 15:15).

The Fall and Capture

Samson's downfall began with his entanglement with Delilah, a Philistine woman. Delilah, bribed by the Philistine rulers, coaxed Samson into revealing the secret of his strength. Once his hair was cut, Samson's strength left him, and he was captured, blinded, and imprisoned by the Philistines (Judges 16:19-21).

Samson's Death

The climax of Samson's account occurs during a Philistine celebration in the temple of Dagon. The Philistines brought Samson out to entertain them. Standing between the temple's pillars, Samson prayed to the Lord, "Sovereign LORD, remember me. Please, God, strengthen me just once more, and let me with one blow get revenge on the Philistines for my two eyes" (Judges 16:28). God granted his request, and Samson pushed the pillars apart, causing the temple to collapse, killing himself and many Philistines (Judges 16:30).

Theological Considerations

Samson's death raises complex theological questions about the nature of his final act. While some may view it as a form of suicide, others interpret it as a sacrificial act of deliverance. Samson's prayer and the subsequent empowerment by God suggest divine approval of his final act, aligning it with his role as a judge and deliverer of Israel.

Moral and Ethical Reflections

From a conservative Christian perspective, Samson's life and death serve as a cautionary tale about the consequences of personal failings and the importance of faithfulness to God's calling. His account underscores the belief in God's sovereignty and the possibility of redemption, even in one's final moments. Samson's inclusion in the "Hall of Faith" in Hebrews 11:32 further highlights his role as a flawed yet faithful servant of God.

Conclusion

Samson's account is a complex narrative that intertwines themes of strength, weakness, and redemption. His death, while often debated, is seen within the broader context of God's deliverance of Israel and serves as a reminder of the power of faith and repentance.
Nave's Topical Index
Judges 16:29,30
And Samson took hold of the two middle pillars on which the house stood, and on which it was borne up, of the one with his right hand, and of the other with his left.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Whether it is Lawful to Kill Oneself?
... Objection 4: Further, Samson killed himself, as related in Judges 16, and yet he
is numbered among the saints (Heb.11). ... Therefore suicide is not unlawful. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether it is lawful to 8.htm

Gifts and Talents.
... of the people, especially in the days of the judges, when it is said of Joshua,
Othniel, Barak, Gideon, Samson, Samuel, and ... Like Judas, Saul dies a suicide. ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/viii gifts and talents.htm

Seventh Commandment
... sinking step by step into a loathsome grave, unless she hurries her doom by suicide. ...
Lust gave Samson into the power of Delilah, who robbed him of his strength ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/weighed and wanting/seventh commandment.htm

The End
... set to work in a mill (though that is probably only an application of Samson's story),
and ... We slay ourselves by forsaking Him, and every sinner is a suicide. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/the end.htm

Compel them to Come In
... Then, though the sinner be like Samson and Ia child, I shall lead him with a ... I see
you acting the suicide this morning, and I picture myself standing at your ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/compel them to come in.htm

Encouragement for the Depressed
... Israel did not produce a Samson every day. ... I have known him try to drive such a one
to suicide, or to lead him into worse sin than he has ever committed before ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 61 1915/encouragement for the depressed.htm

New Uses for Old Trophies
... them; need he wonder if, when next he goes forth, as Samson of old ... staggering doubt,
or hideous blasphemy, or ghastly insinuations, even of suicide itself, may ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/new uses for old trophies.htm

The First Kings.
... of Elkanah and Hannah, given to them, like Jephthah and Samson, as a ... bloody conflicts,
near Mount Gilboa, defeated and wounded, he committed suicide by falling ...
/.../headley/half hours in bible lands volume 2/the first kings.htm

The Betrayal
... like Samson, he is bound by his countrymen, and delivered to the adversary ... gain of
godliness"if there be such here"you may not come to a suicide's end, but ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 9 1863/the betrayal.htm

Three Decisive Steps
... Oh, for a day of Samson back again! ... you will have no occupation but to gnash your
teeth upon yourself, because you committed everlasting suicide, and refused ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 37 1891/three decisive steps.htm

Resources
Mental Illness ' Article Index | GotQuestions.org

Miscellaneous Bible Questions (All) | GotQuestions.org

In end-of-life decisions, when should quality of life be a consideration? | GotQuestions.org

Suicide: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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