Today I read Judges 16, about Sampson and Deliah, Sampson knowing telling his secret to someone he can’t trust, being captured, blinded, mocked, and getting revenge through God’s strength. Today I considered when someone shows you who they are you are to believe what they show you.
Sampson and Delilah
Sampson’s knowingly betrayed himself for love, but God allowed him vengeance (Judges 16:1-31). Sampson loved the prostitute Deliliah, and the Philistines told her to find out Sampson’s weakness. Delilah asked Sampson repeatedly about his strength. Sampson repeatedly lied saying binding him in green undried binding, binding him in new unused ropes, and weaving the locks of his head into a fabric loom would work. Delilah tried each method, and they did not work. Delilah nagged Sampson until he told her the truth. Delilah lured him to sleep and had Sampson’s hair shaved off. God departed from Sampson. Delilah told the Philistines they could catch him, and they caught Sampson and blinded his eyes. Sampson was put in the prison to work at the grind, but Sampson’s hair started growing. The Philistines had a huge gathering to worship Dagon and brought Sampson there to mock him. Sampson had the child with him lead him to the foundation pillars of the house and prayed to God to avenge him. God strengthen Sampson, and Sampson knocked down Dagon’s temple. Sampson killed more Philistines at his death than during his life.
Questions and Thoughts for Today
God often lets us know who we can and cannot trust through their actions. Delilah had betrayed Sampson at least three times. Sampson loved Delilah, kept coming to her house, and kept sleeping there even though he knew he could not trust her. Sampson got weary of her begging for his secret and told her the truth. In return Sampson’s eyes were taken by the Philistines and he had to live in darkness being blindness until his death. All Sampson had to do was believe Delilah would betray him after the first time. There is a saying I have heard repeatedly lately about when someone shows you who they are you should believe them.
Who have you met that showed you who they are and you need to believe them?