Samson was a very strong man, born to parents who thought they would never have children. They were visited by an angel who promised they would have a strong and healthy child, but he must be raised as a Nazarite, dedicated only to God from birth. As a result of this vow, there were many things Samson would have to do, including never drink wine, touch a dead body, or cut his hair.
Samson was very strong, and fought many battles, all of which he won. He eventually became a great judge in Israel and ruled with a keen eye and conscience. However, he broke all of the rules of the Nazarites. He had a weakness for earthly things, and one of those biggest weaknesses was for women.
Delilah was a beautiful Philistine woman that Samson believed he loved. However, Delilah was working for the Philistines, and trying to find the source of Samson’s power. He lied to her many times about the powers he held, and each time he overcome her when she tried to trick him. But one day, blinded by love and lust, he told her the truth: “If you cut my hair, I become as weak as any other man.”
As Samson slept, Delilah cut his hair. This time when the Philistine Army came, he had no strength left. They beat him terribly, blinded him with hot pokers, and took him to the mill, where he would serve as an ox, pulling a stone around and around to grind grains. Samson was jeered and teased for losing his strength, and the Philistines asked him where his God was now?
Much later, the Philistines held a festival at the Temple of Dagon, the home of their false idol. Samson was brought to the festival as part of the entertainment. When he stood in the temple, he remembered the strength of it lay in the center pillars that held it up. Samson, whose hair had again grown long and luxuriant, prayed to God one last time to give him the strength to make up for his shortcomings.
Samson pulled and pushed the pillars and brought down the temple. Thousands of Philistines died that day, and so did Samson. But Samson’s act of faith in God and his sacrifice of himself for the greater good eventually led to the victory of the Israelites, and God’s plan for him was complete.