A Case for the Bible: Answers for the Book of Judges Chapters 13 – 16

Answers for a study in the book of Judges” is a weekly post in addition to the regular “apologetics” posts on the weekend where the original questions can be found at the bottom of the study, and then answers appear here during the week. This gives you time to do your own research, and then check your answers. Keep in mind these will be basic answers with a little depth, but you can go much deeper for discussion if you’d like.

Note: Class presentation, videos, reflections and Bible study questions are posted on the weekend – Bible study answers (like these) are posted during the week.

Bible Study: The Book of Judges: Chapters 13 through 16

Sixth Period: Samson

Chapter 13: Philistines Oppress Again

In this chapter we are introduced to a new Judge named Samson. It was during a period of 40 years that the Israelites were oppressed by the Philistines that the “angel of the LORD” came to the wife of Manoah, who was barren, and told her that she would have a son who would be a Nazarite, so she nor the son should partake of any wine, strong drink or unclean thing (note similarity to Samuel and John the Baptist who would both be Nazarites). Manoah entreated the LORD to have the angel appear to him, and He did, confirming all that Manoah’s wife had said. It is here we read that the angel, upon being asked His Name, said “why do you ask my name, see that it is wonderful?” Then Manoah and his wife watched the angel of the LORD do wonders and then ascend into Heaven, thus giving them confidence that they had seen God, and Manoah’s wife gave birth to Samson, and we are told that the Spirit of the LORD stirred in him and the LORD blessed him as he grew up.

C = God’s promise of protection would now be in view through Samson.

J = The angel of the LORD is a Theophany/Christophany evidenced by the interaction they had, and the Angel’s answer to the question of His Name, whom He said was too wonderful [for him to understand]. We also see a sacrifice made to the LORD, wonders performed, ascension to Heaven and the statement that they had seen the LORD and lived.

Guiding Questions:

1. To Whom did the LORD give the sons of Israel over this time, and what can we know about them?From gotquestions.org: The Philistines were an aggressive, warmongering people who occupied territory southwest of Israel between the Mediterranean Sea and the Jordan River. The name “Philistine” comes from the Hebrew word Philistia, and the Greek rendering of the name, palaistinei, gives us the modern name “Palestine.” The Philistines are first recorded in Scripture in the Table of Nations, a list of the patriarchal founders of seventy nations descended from Noah (Genesis 10:14). It is thought that the Philistines originated in Caphtor, the Hebrew name for the island of Crete and the whole Aegean region (Amos 9:7; Jeremiah 47:4). For unknown reasons, they migrated from that region to the Mediterranean coast near Gaza. Because of their maritime history, the Philistines are often associated with the “Sea Peoples.” The Bible records that the Philistines had contact with both Abraham and Isaac as early as 2000 B.C. (Genesis 21:32, 34; 26:1, 8).
   After Isaac’s involvement with the Philistines (Genesis 26:18), they are next mentioned in passing in the book of Exodus shortly after the Israelites crossed the Red Sea: “When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them on the road through the Philistine country, though that was shorter. For God said, ‘If they face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt’” (Exodus 13:17).
   The “road through the Philistine country” refers to a route later known as the Via Maris or “the Way of the Sea,” one of three major trade routes in ancient Israel. This coastal road connected the Nile Delta with Canaan and Syria and beyond, into the Mesopotamian region of southwest Asia.
   The Old Testament indicates that around the 13th century B.C., during the days of Samuel and Samson, the Philistines moved inland from the coast of Canaan. There, they built their civilization primarily in five cities: Gaza, Ashkelon, Ashdod, Gath, and Ekron (Joshua 13:3). These cities were each governed by a “king” or “lord” (from the Hebrew word seren, also rendered as “tyrant”). These kings apparently formed a coalition of equals. Each king retained autonomous control of his city, such as when Achish, king of Gath, dealt with David (1 Samuel 27:5-7), but they worked in concert in times of national emergency (Judges 16:5).
   From the very beginning, the Philistines were either allies or deadly enemies of God’s people. They played a pivotal role in the lives of Samson (Judges 13:1; 14:1), Samuel (1 Samuel 4:1), Saul (1 Samuel 13:4), and David (1 Samuel 17:23).
   The Philistines were known for their innovative use of iron, which was superior to the bronze used by the Israelites for weapons and implements. Even as late as the time of Saul (1050 – 1010 B.C), the Israelites were forced to rely on the Philistines to sharpen or repair their iron tools (1 Samuel 13:19-21). With their more advanced armaments and aggressive military policy, the Philistines continually thwarted Israel’s development as a nation. For nearly 200 years, the Philistines harassed and oppressed the Israelites, often invading Israel’s territory. The children of Israel simply could not deal with the Philistines’ overwhelming military might. This only came to an end when Samuel and then David, through the guidance of God, were able to defeat the Philistines (1 Samuel 7:12-14; 2 Samuel 5:22-25).
   The Old Testament indicates that the Philistines worshiped three gods: Ashtoreth, Dagon, and Baal-Zebub—each of which had shrines in various cities (Judges 16:23; 1 Samuel 31:10; 2 Kings 1:2). Archaeological findings show that Philistine soldiers carried images of their gods into battle (2 Samuel 5:21). Apparently, they were also a superstitious people who respected the power of Israel’s ark of the covenant (1 Samuel 5:1-12).
   The Philistines were infamous for their production and consumption of alcoholic beverages, especially beer. Ancient Philistine ruins contain numerous breweries and wineries, as well as countless beer mugs and other drinking vessels. Samson’s wedding feast, recorded in the book of Judges, illustrates the Philistine practice of holding week-long drinking parties; the Hebrew word misteh, translated “feast” in Judges 14:10, means “drinking feast.”
   The Israelites frequently referred to the Philistines as “uncircumcised” (Judges 15:18; 1 Samuel 14:6; 2 Samuel 1:20), meaning, at that time, those who had no relationship with God. They were not God’s chosen people and were to be strictly avoided as a contaminating evil.
   Today, the word philistine is used as an epithet to refer to an unrefined, dull person. In truth, the Philistines of history were not unsophisticated or uncultured. They were an advanced seafaring people who, for several generations, were years ahead of Israel.
   With the exception of Jeremiah chapter 47, there are very few prophetic references to the Philistines. In the end, the Philistines were assimilated into Canaanite culture. They eventually disappeared from the biblical record and from history altogether, leaving behind the name “Palestine” as a testimony of their existence.
   
2. Who was Manoah and his wife, and what happened to them? (See summary notes above)
3. Discuss: What does it mean to be a Nazarite? Do you know of any other men in the Bible who were Nazarites? From gotquestions.org: The Nazirite/Nazarite vow is taken by individuals who have voluntarily dedicated themselves to God. The vow is a decision, action, and desire on the part of people whose desire is to yield themselves to God completely. By definition, the Hebrew word nazir, simply means “to be separated or consecrated.” The Nazirite vow, which appears in Numbers 6:1-21, has five features. It is voluntary, can be done by either men or women, has a specific time frame, has specific requirements and restrictions, and at its conclusion a sacrifice is offered.First, the individual enters into this vow voluntarily. The Bible says, “Speak to the Israelites and say to them: ‘If a man or woman wants to make a special vow, a vow of separation to the LORD as a Nazirite’” (Numbers 6:2). This shows that it is individuals who take the initiative to consecrate themselves to the Lord. There is no divine command involved. While generally done by the individual by his own choice, two individuals in the Old Testament, and one in the New Testament, were presented to God by their parents. Samuel and Samson in the Old Testament (1 Samuel 1:8-28; Judges 13:1-5), and John the Baptist in the New Testament received the Nazirite vow from birth (Luke 1:13-17).
   Second, both men and women could participate in this vow, as Numbers 6:2 indicates, “a man or woman.” The Nazirite vow was often taken by men and women alike purely for personal reasons, such as thanksgiving for recovery from illness or for the birth of a child. However, under the Mosaic law, the vow or oath of a single woman could be rescinded by her father, and that of a married woman by her husband (Numbers 30).
   Third, the vow had a specific time frame, a beginning and an end as these two statements indicate: “Throughout the period of his separation he is consecrated to the LORD… Now this is the law for the Nazirite when the period of his separation is over” (Numbers 6:8, 13a). So, the Nazirite vow usually had both a beginning and an end.
   Fourth, there were specific guidelines and restrictions involved with the Nazirite vow. Three guidelines are given to the Nazirite. Numbers 6:3-7 tells us that he/she was to abstain from wine or any fermented drink, nor was the Nazirite to drink grape juice or eat grapes or raisins, not even the seeds or skins. Next, the Nazirite was not to cut his hair for the length of the vow. Last, he was not to go near a dead body, because that would make him ceremonially unclean. Even if a member of his immediate family died, he was not to go near the corpse.
   Numbers 6:13-20 shows the procedure to follow to complete the vow. A sacrifice was made (vv.13-17), the candidate’s hair was cut and put on the altar, and the priest did the final task of completing the sacrificial process, which ended the vow (v. 20). This section concludes with the statement, “This is the law of the Nazirite who vows his offering to the LORD in accordance with his separation, in addition to whatever else he can afford. He must fulfill the vow he has made, according to the law of the Nazirite”(6:21).
   Although the Nazirite vow is an Old Testament concept, there is a New Testament parallel to the Nazirite vow. In Romans 12:1-2 Paul states, “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” For Christians, the ancient Nazirite vow symbolizes the need to be separate from this world, a holy people consecrated to God (2 Timothy 1:9; 1 Peter 1:15). Samuel and John the Baptist were considered Nazarites who lived by this vow. Temporary Nararite vows can be taken on, the Apostle Paul is one example.
4. Going Deeper: Who was this angel of the LORD, and how can we know? (See notes in “J” above concerning this Christophany)

Chapter 14: Samson’s Marriage; Sampson’s Riddle

In this chapter we read about Samson’s plan to marry a Philistine girl that he was attracted too, but at the same time the LORD was orchestrating this for him because the Philistines were ruling over Israel and God would use Samson to rescue Israel. Samson may have also seen this as a way to infiltrate the Philistines. During the wedding week feast Samson proposed a hidden riddle about the Lion he had killed and challenged the Philistines to solve the riddle, but they pressed his wife, under thread of death, to entice him to tell her, and she prevailed. Then she told her people so they were able to answer the riddle, thus angering Samson to the point that he went down and killed thirty of them and took their spoil. He then returned to his father’s house, and his wife was given to his friend.

C = Samson’s parents objected to this marriage because it was against God’s Law/Mosaic Covenant (Ex. 34:15-17; Deut. 7:1-4). Although God would use Samson against the Philistines, his parents were right, yet wrong because they could have refused his request for the marriage.

Guiding Questions:

1. Why did Samson want a wife that was a Philistine since his people, Israel, were being oppressed by them? (See summary notes above)
2. Why did Samson’s parents object to his marriage (go deeper and reference the Mosaic Law)? (See notes for “C” above)
3. What was Samson’s riddle, and how did the Philistines figure it out? What happened to his wife? (See summary notes above)

Chapter 15: Samson Burns Philistine Crops

This chapter continues the story as Samson returns to visit his wife and finds that she has been given to his friend. He seeks revenge by setting foxes’ tails on fire and burning the Philistines crops. They retaliated by burning his wife and her father. Samson retaliates with a great slaughter. The Philistines then went up against Judah, and the men of Judah took Samson, who agreed to be bound, to the Philistines. Again, Samson, with the Spirit of the LORD upon him, broke the ropes that bound him and took a donkey’s jawbone and slaughtered a thousand Philistines that day. The LORD then took care of Samson by providing him water so that he did not die of thirst (this is an example of Samson’s lack of faith in God). And we are told that Samson judged Israel twenty years in the days of the Philistines.

C = God’s promise of protection (Mosaic Covenant) continues through Samson as a judge of Israel.

J = Even though Samson is a poor example of a judge and deliverer, Jesus will be our perfect and final judge and deliverer.

Guiding Questions:

1. What did Samson do when he found out his wife had been given to another, and what was the consequence of his action? (See summary notes above)
2. Discuss: What is the ultimate consequence of revenge and retaliation; and why is it a common response by most humans? (Answers will vary here, but may include: The fact that humans are fallen in nature (Genesis 3), lends them to behave in the ways of the fall (pride, lust and greed) which always has devastating consequences such as death, destruction and mayhem usually between people groups and/or individuals).

Chapter 16: Samson’s Weakness; Delilah Extract His Secret; Samson is Avenged

This time Samson goes down to Gaza and went into a harlot. When it was discovered, they tried to kill him again, but Samson went out at midnight and tore down their city gate and took them up to the mountain top (thus showing his superiority over them again). Then he fell for another woman, Delilah, whom the Philistines bribed to find out where Samson’s strength lied. After a series of attempts where Samson lies to her (yet each time he gets closer to the truth), he finally succumbs to her pressure and tells her about his strength lying in the uncut hair of his head. (Note: We can see the problem of pride in Samson’s life to the point that is seems he thought even the truth could not stop him or his strength). Delilah lures him to sleep and has a man shave off his hair, and this time Samson cannot do anything as the Spirit of the LORD departed from him, and he was captured. In one last ditch effort, after a period of time that Samson was in captivity, blind from having his eyes gouged out, he calls out to the LORD for help (which can be seen as repentance and a confession of faith in the LORD). Because his hair had begun to regrow, Samson’s strength was renewed and he pulled down the columns collapsing the palace and killing some 3000 Philistines along with himself. His brother then came and buried him in the grave of his father Manoah.

C = God’s protection over Israel was seen through Samson who judged Israel for twenty years.

J = Even though Samson is a poor example of a judge and deliverer, Jesus will be our perfect and final judge and deliverer. Samson’s confession of faith at the end points to God’s unwavering faith and hesed (His mercy, grace and undeserved favor).

Guiding Questions:

1. What did Samson do when he went down to Gaza (verses 1-3)? (See summary notes above)
2. Why, and how, did Delilah gain the truth about Samson and his strength? What was the result? (See summary notes above)
3. Discuss: What do you think was the downfall of Samson and why? (Answers may vary here, but again can include fallen human nature which we see in Samson’s prideful and lustful behavior)
4. Going Deeper: Re-read verse 28. What was Samson doing here and how might this relate to repentance and salvation? (See summary notes above about Samson’s confession of faith in the LORD from verse)

“Then Samson called to the Lord and said, “O Lord God, please remember me and please strengthen me just this time, O God, that I may at once be avenged of the Philistines for my two eyes.”  Judges 16:28 (NASB)

Please join us each week as we continue our case for the Bible and a study in the book of Judges!

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Teri Dugan

TeriDugan@truthfaithandreason.com

1 Peter 3:15