Topical Bible: Women: Mother of Samson

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The mother of Samson, though unnamed in the biblical text, plays a pivotal role in the narrative of Israel's deliverance from Philistine oppression. Her account is primarily found in the Book of Judges, chapters 13 to 16. She is introduced as the wife of Manoah, a Danite from the town of Zorah. Her character is marked by faith, obedience, and a deep sense of duty to God's calling.

Divine Encounter and Promise

The narrative begins with the Israelites suffering under Philistine domination due to their disobedience to God. In this context, the Angel of the LORD appears to Manoah's wife, who is described as barren. The angel delivers a message of hope and divine intervention: "Though you are barren and have no children, you will conceive and give birth to a son" (Judges 13:3). This announcement is reminiscent of other miraculous births in Scripture, underscoring the special purpose God has for the child.

The angel instructs her to adhere to specific Nazirite vows for her son, even before his birth: "Now please be careful not to drink wine or strong drink, and not to eat anything unclean" (Judges 13:4). This vow signifies a life set apart for God's service, indicating the child's future role as a deliverer of Israel.

Faith and Obedience

The mother of Samson demonstrates remarkable faith and obedience. She immediately shares the angel's message with her husband, who prays for further guidance. When the Angel of the LORD appears again, she quickly fetches Manoah, showing her eagerness to comply with God's will. Her actions reflect a deep trust in God's promises and a willingness to follow His instructions without hesitation.

Role in Samson's Life

Her influence on Samson is evident in her adherence to the angel's instructions. She raises Samson according to the Nazirite vow, setting the foundation for his future exploits against the Philistines. Although the text does not provide extensive details about her interactions with Samson, her initial obedience and dedication to God's command are crucial in shaping his identity and mission.

Spiritual Insight

The mother of Samson exhibits spiritual insight and discernment. When Manoah expresses fear after realizing they have seen the Angel of the LORD, she reassures him, saying, "If the LORD had meant to kill us, He would not have accepted a burnt offering and a grain offering from our hands, nor shown us all these things or told us this" (Judges 13:23). Her response reveals a profound understanding of God's character and purposes.

Legacy

Though her name is not recorded, the mother of Samson's legacy is significant. Her faith and obedience set the stage for Samson's role as a judge and deliverer of Israel. Her account highlights the importance of trust in God's promises and the impact of a mother's faithfulness on her children's destiny. Through her, the narrative of God's redemptive work in Israel continues, demonstrating His sovereignty and faithfulness to His people.

Nave's Topical Index

Judges 13:23
But his wife said to him, If the LORD were pleased to kill us, he would not have received a burnt offering and a meat offering at our hands, neither would he have showed us all these things, nor would as at this time have told us such things as these.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Listen, My Brethren, to Death, Mocking the Evil One: that Caused ...
... head of our race to sin, and its mother."2. R ... Let chaste women also mock thee, by
whose counsel: the ... Flame be kindled on thy head, for Samson's sake: for by a ...
/.../hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/hymn lvii listen my brethren.htm

Mutual Help.
... may have done the deeds, but women have led ... to his earliest and best teacher and
guide"his mother. ... Samson, the giant, becomes the blinded, helpless slave, by ...
/.../the life of duty a years plain sermons v 2/sermon lxiv mutual help.htm

The Story of Samson, the Strong Man
... His father and mother were not pleased that he should marry ... Our god has given Samson,
our enemy ... it was also crowded with more than three thousand men and women. ...
/.../marshall/the wonder book of bible stories/the story of samson the.htm

That Thy Resurrection Might be Believed among the Gainsayers, they ...
... in Thee, O Lord, the honours of all married women. ... life came down to raise up the
mother of His mother. ... Samson the Nazarite shadowed forth a type of Thy working ...
/.../hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/hymn viii that thy resurrection.htm

Seventh Commandment
... not respect all women as you do your mother and sister? ... allow this infernal thing
to go on,"women bearing all ... Lust gave Samson into the power of Delilah, who ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/weighed and wanting/seventh commandment.htm

Praying Saints of the Old Testaments
... the mighty intercessor in Israel and a man of God, was the product of his mother's
prayer ... "And Samson said unto ... Now the house was full of men and women; and all ...
/.../bounds/prayer and praying men/i praying saints of the.htm

How under Eli's Government of the Israelites Booz Married Ruth ...
... 1. Now after the death of Samson, Eli the high priest ... 4. When she had informed her
mother-in-law of this ... this child; and by the advice of the women, called him ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 9 how under elis.htm

His Schools and Schoolmasters.
... mother of her Lord, greeted her as blessed among women, and assured ... for a time, or,
as in the case of Samson, Samuel, and ... "Mother, why do I wear my hair so long ...
/.../meyer/john the baptist/iii his schools and schoolmasters.htm

I Will Run in My Affections, to Him who Heals Freely
... of chaste daughters, to foul Assyria, mother of defiled ... Samson stirred up seas, because
he was mightily jealous ... drunken, has caused my honourable women to be ...
/.../ephraim/hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/hymn vi i will run.htm

A Cloud of Witnesses.
... Women received their dead by a resurrection: and others were ... Lord, and would not
go back.[297] Samson had faith ... a Nazarite to God from his mother's womb, and in ...
/.../the expositors bible the epistle to the hebrews/chapter xiii a cloud of.htm