Judges 16: A Leader’s Flaws

“Then his brothers and his father’s whole family went down to get him. They brought him back and buried him between Zorah and Eshtaol in the tomb of Manoah his father. He had led Israel twenty years.” -Judges 16:31

Samson led the nation of Israel for twenty years. Despite his strength and leadership, he had his flaws as do all humans. His involved a relationship with a prostitute named Delilah and revealing his secret to his strength with her. When he did, he suffered terrible consequences.

Delilah had his head shaved; the Philistines gouged out his eyes and imprisoned him. At some later point, these enemies brought him out to a festival to make fun of him. Samson was given one more victory and knocked down the entire stadium, killing himself and many of his enemies in the process.

His legacy is mixed. He held great strength and served God, yet gave in to temptation in ways that caused great harm. Many read this account and point fingers at Samson’s weaknesses. Yet another approach is to learn and consider: Am I at risk to similar temptations? What flaws seek to destroy my devotion to God?

None of us is above temptation. We must anticipate it, recognize it, and resist it when it seeks to destroy us. Just as Jesus did when tempted, let us rely on God’s Word to overcome the struggles we face to sin against God (Matthew 4:1-10).


