Topical Bible: Lying: Samson

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Samson, a judge of Israel, is a prominent figure in the Book of Judges, chapters 13 to 16. Known for his extraordinary strength, which was a gift from God contingent upon his Nazirite vow, Samson's life is marked by a series of conflicts with the Philistines, the oppressors of Israel at the time. While Samson is often celebrated for his feats of strength and his role in delivering Israel, his life also provides a complex study of moral and spiritual challenges, including instances of deceit and lying.

One of the most notable instances of lying in Samson's life occurs in his interactions with Delilah, a woman from the Valley of Sorek whom he loved. The Philistine rulers, seeking to subdue Samson, bribed Delilah to discover the secret of his strength. In Judges 16:6-7 , Delilah implores Samson, "Please tell me the source of your great strength and how you can be tied up and subdued." Samson deceives her multiple times, initially telling her, "If they tie me up with seven fresh bowstrings that have not been dried, I will become as weak as any other man."

Samson's deception continues as he provides Delilah with false information about the source of his strength. In Judges 16:10-11 , Delilah confronts him again, and Samson lies, saying, "If they tie me up with new ropes that have never been used, I will become as weak as any other man." Each time, Delilah tests his claim, and each time Samson breaks free, demonstrating that he has not revealed the truth.

Finally, after persistent nagging, Samson reveals the true source of his strength: his uncut hair, a symbol of his Nazirite vow to God. Judges 16:17 records, "So he told her all that was in his heart, saying, 'No razor has ever come upon my head, because I have been a Nazirite to God from my mother’s womb. If I am shaved, my strength will leave me, and I will become as weak as any other man.'" This revelation leads to his downfall, as Delilah arranges for his hair to be cut while he sleeps, resulting in his capture by the Philistines.

Samson's interactions with Delilah highlight the destructive potential of deceit. His initial lies serve as temporary measures to protect himself, but they ultimately contribute to a false sense of security and lead to his vulnerability. The narrative underscores the importance of truthfulness and the consequences of straying from one's commitments to God.

Samson's life, including his acts of lying, serves as a cautionary tale within the broader biblical narrative. It illustrates the tension between human frailty and divine purpose, reminding believers of the importance of integrity and faithfulness to God's commands. Despite his failures, Samson's account concludes with an act of redemption, as he calls upon the Lord one last time to defeat the Philistines, demonstrating that God's purposes can prevail even through flawed individuals.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Judges 16:10
And Delilah said to Samson, Behold, you have mocked me, and told me lies: now tell me, I pray you, with which you might be bound.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

A Strong Man who Lost his Strength
... like any other man." So Delilah took new ropes and bound him with them and said
to him, "The Philistines are upon you, Samson!" Men were also lying in wait in ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/a strong man who lost.htm

Samson Conquered
... as Nazarites, and I think I shall find a lesson for you in the history of Samson. ...
and all that I have up to that church; I would not make a lying profession; I ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/samson conquered.htm

Ninth Commandment
... LYING. ... " Bishop Hall said that the tongues of busybodies are like the tails of Samson's
foxes"they carry firebrands and are enough to set the whole field ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/weighed and wanting/ninth commandment.htm

Notes
... of great suffering: 'As I was contemplating the body of Jesus lying on the ... the shape
of these pincers reminded her of the scissors with which Samson's hair was ...
/.../emmerich/the dolorous passion of our lord jesus christ/notes.htm

The Judges.
... altar to Jehovah; (b) Samson would keep his Nazarite vow, preserve his hair intact
and abstain from wine and unclean food but give himself over to lying and to ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter ix the judges.htm

Chapter xxxiv
... For as the story of Samson (Jud 14:2) also indicates, the ones who arranged ... and very
angry that folly had been committed against Israel by lying with Jacob's ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxxiv.htm

Compel them to Come In
... in those that have no resting-place for their heads, and are lying under the ... for
young Melanchthon." As well might a little child seek to compel a Samson, as I ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/compel them to come in.htm

How under Eli's Government of the Israelites Booz Married Ruth ...
... 1. Now after the death of Samson, Eli the high priest was governor of the ... was fast
asleep; but when he awaked about midnight, and perceived a woman lying by him ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 9 how under elis.htm

The Angel in the Tomb
... If Jesus Christ be lying in some nameless grave, then all the power of His ... like the
ancient Jewish hero, though in far nobler fashion, our Samson enters into ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture d/the angel in the tomb.htm

The Author to the Reader.
... but a disposing them also unto a receiving of whatsoever men, lying in wait to ... yet
he holdeth notwithstanding fast tied by their tails (as Samson's foxes were ...
/.../brown/christ the way the truth and the life/the author to the reader.htm