Read: Judges 13
Meditation: The story of Samson begins with how the people of
Israel had done "evil in the eyes of the Lord" (Judges 13:1).
The Angel of the Lord appears to Samson's parents, who were sterile, and
promises them a son who would be brought up as a Nazarite. If Samson
keeps his vow he would deliver the people from the hands of the
Philistines. Samson was born and as he grew up, the Lord blessed him.
Prayer Starter: Lord, You have given many different promises
that You have always kept. I give You my thanks for all You have
promised and how You have kept all of those promises. 
Read: Judges 14
Meditation: Here we begin to see a weakness in Samson. He has an
eye for the women of the Philistines. Not only that, he can not keep a
secret. God's plan in all of this is to force a confrontation between Samson
and the Philistines. In part it works, but Samson fails to carry through by
bringing a total end to the Philistine rule in Israel.
Prayer Starter: Lord, how often have I not carried through with
the work You have given me. Forgive me and help me to finish what needs to
be done.
Read: Judges 15
Meditation: Samson is betrayed even more when his wife is given
away to another man. Samson takes out his revenge by setting fire to some of
the fields of the Philistines, which leads to him fighting a great battle.
This also sets up his rule as a judge of Israel, but Samson does nothing
more to drive the Philistines from the land; a strong man who will not lead
his people to victory. Samson also seems to be full of himself for what God
has enabled him to do.
Prayer Starter: God, no matter how much I fail, You are still
there by my side to give me what I need to carry on. Thank You O Lord, for
Your great mercy.
Read: Judges 16:1-3
Meditation: Samson is a very headstrong man with little self
control. Here we see him having immoral relations with a Gaza harlot. This
act and many others point to the fact that Samson was not a religious
enthusiast and that his vow had little meaning. In fact every major crisis
in his life is a direct result of having relationships with Philistine
women. This weakness will lead to his downfall, which prevents his ability
to drive the Philistines from the land.
Prayer Starter: Lord, I also have weaknesses that I am not able to
control on my own. Help me and give me the strength I need to overcome my
weaknesses.
Read: Judges 16:4-20
Meditation: Again Samson's weakness leads him into the hands of a
Philistine Woman. Delilah and Samson's fascination with her will bring an
end to him. He just can not keep the secret, and when he reveals that his
hair is his strength, God finally leaves Samson. It was not about the hair,
but about God who gives him his strength. Samson has not learned from his
mistakes and he falls to the Philistines.
Prayer Starter: Lord, help me to learn from my mistakes so that I
will not do them again.
Read: Judges 16:21-31
Meditation:
Samson in his 20 years of leading Israel had proved little more
than a thorn in the flesh to the Philistines. He never freed Israel from
the dominion of the Philistines as God intended. However, in his death
he was to kill more Philistines than the total he had killed during his
life. He is listed with the heroes of faith in Hebrews 11:32, because
his strength came from God and because in his dying act, he demonstrated
his faith in God for all to see.
Prayer Starter: Lord, help me to be one that follows You, and
help me to overcome all that could lead to my destruction. Amen.
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