N.B: Though this article is meant to be an exclusive for Christian readers, still it can provide an interesting and informative read for non-christian readers.
One of the most popular stories in historic scriptures is that of Israelite Judge and deliverer Samson. Samson was renowned for his strength which he used to protect his fellow countrymen the Israelites and roll out unceasing nightmare for the chief enemies of his country, the Philistines.
Samson's Birth And Conception
Samson's birth was a miracle that happened when an Angel visited his parents, when they were in the fields. Manoah, who was Samson's father, and his wife, had not been able to produce an issue during their marriage. One day while Samson's mother was in the fields alone an Angel came to her. The Angel of God had brought a message. A child would be born by Samson's mother. And it was not going to be just any child but a very special one. God would use the child to deliver his people, the Israelites out of the hand of their enemies.
The Angel visited later when Manoah was around and gave the message again. The child to be born would be a Nazarite onto God. He would neither taste strong drink nor ever put a razor to his hair.
Soon Monaoh's wife conceived and soon Samson was born. God had fulfilled the promise he made to Monaoh.
A Life Of Wild Adventure
Samson grew into a young man. By this time it was no longer a secret that he was special. At least the first time Samson's specialty is revealed in the scripture is during an encounter with a lion.
Judges 14:5-18 New International Version (NIV)l
"5. Samson went down to Timnah together with his father and mother. As they approached the vineyards of Timnah, suddenly a young lion came roaring toward him. 6. The Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon him so that he tore the lion apart with his bare hands as he might have torn a young goat. But he told neither his father nor his mother what he had done."
Samson at this time frequented the camp of his enemies, the Philistines. And it was there unfortunately that he would start off his life of immoral indulgences that would later lead to his downfall.
A Philistine Wife For Samson
Samson quickly found love among the Philistines. Soon he was in a passion tangle with a young Philistine lady that had snatched his fancy. He was frank to his parents. He wanted to marry the Philistine woman. "Get her for me; for she pleaseth me well,"( Judges 14:3) he said to his bewildered parents.
Samson soon moved to wed his newfound sweetheart. As the marriage preparations carried on, Samson proposed a riddle to his Philistine in-laws. If they reveal the meaning the riddle within seven days Samson would provide them with " ...thirty sheets and thirty change of garments." If they failed to expand Samson's riddle they would give the same to him.
Samson's in-laws pressured his would-be wife, and she pressed her husband until he revealed the meaning of the riddle to her and she in turn told her people. Thus the in-laws revealed the riddle and Samson had to fulfil his part of the agreement.
Dealing With The Philistines
Samson soon had a quarrel with the Philistines, after his wife was given to another man. He set the farms of the Philistines ablaze by setting the tails of 300 foxes and letting them go into the fields of the Philistines. The Philistines retaliated against Samson by burning Samson's wife and her father. Samson took it further, by killing a great number of the Philistines. The Philistines came for Samson and he again slaughtered them in large numbers.
Meeting Delilah
Samson's continued his life of base debauchery, and immorality even visiting harlots. He soon met a Philistine woman named Deliliah. He carried on with his relationship with Delilah, though they never married. This relationship was what paved the path for his downfall at the end.
The Grand Plan Of The Philistines And Samson's Fall
The Philistines, enemies of Israel and also Samson, spotted an opportunity in the ungodly relationship that Samson had forged with one of their own. They capitalized and offered to pay Delilah off if she could extract the secret of Samson's extraordinary strength from him.
Delilah accepted the offer and pressed her lover for his secret. Samson soon gave in to Delilah's onslaught and spilled everything out. If his hair were shaved he would be like any other man.
Soon Samson was asleep on Delilah's lap, who worked on him with a razor until Samson's scalp was free of hair. The Philistines had triumphed. Samson was taunted and then captured. His eyes were plucked and he was committed to prison.
Samson's Revenge And Death
The Philistines were celebrating because a national threat had been eliminated. Meanwhile, Samson, blind, laboured in prison.
The Philistines threw a celebration party and at the height of merriment, Samson was brought, and his enemies enjoyed themselves by making fun of him.
Samson whispered to the little boy that guided him to help him rest his hands on the pillars that held the house. He then exerted his strength and collapsed the building on himself and his enemies. Three thousand Philistines died in the incident including Samson. Infact Samson took out more of his enemies at his death more than during his life.
Opinion About Samson
The main purpose of this article is to settle the question whether Samson made heaven or not. I would say yes, Samson is in heaven. I will present you the proof.
Judges 16:28 reads:
28 Then Samson prayed to the Lord,(AM) “Sovereign Lord, remember me. Please, God, strengthen me just once more, and let me with one blow get revenge(AN) on the Philistines for my two eyes.”
The above scripture suggests that Samson made heaven. Sure enough, by the lifestyle he led while alive he deserved Gods judgement, but he repented his sins by that last-minute prayer he made.
Remember God says in the Bible:
“Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” ( Romans 10:13 New International Version (NIV).
So it means God heard the prayer of Samson and he died as a righteous man.
Remember the thief on the cross got saved at the last minute when he asked Jesus for forgiveness.
Key Lessons from Story
1. A low, base, and careless life always leads to one misfortune or the other.
2. Be very careful when forging marriage relationships. A mistake in marriage can ruin your future and destiny.
3. God can grant last-minute forgiveness to anyone who asks.
4. If you must have anything to do with your enemies, be careful. Samson's careless attitude in the camps of the Philistines resulted in his destruction.
5. There are certain secrets about you that no one else should know.
N.B: All scriptures are taken from NIV.