Samson Finds A Harlot

Then went Samson to Gaza, and saw there an harlot, and went in unto her. And it was told the Gazites, saying, Samson is come hither. And they compassed him in, and laid wait for him all night in the gate of the city, and were quiet all the night, saying, In the morning, when it is day, we shall kill him. And Samson lay till midnight, and arose at midnight, and took the doors of the gate of the city, and the two posts, and went away with them, bar and all, and put them upon his shoulders, and carried them up to the top of an hill that is before Hebron. Judges 16:1-3

Steps: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Again Samson finds a Philistine girlfriend to relate to, seemingly willing to challenge the Philistine armies in their own city. The men of the city find out that Samson is in the city and they lock the gates hoping to keep Samson captive until the morning and then they would try to kill him. The last time the Philistines tried to do this he killed 1000 men by himself with the jawbone of a donkey. That same night at midnight Samson got up and picked up the city gate, put it on his back, and carried it a number of miles into Israel to show the Philistines his strength. This was both his physical strength and his spiritual undoing. This rash act showed his trust in physical strength and his lack of awareness of a spiritual way of life by disregarding the counsels of God.

Prayer for Today: God, You know our strong points and how much trust we put into ourselves rather than into You. Help us to be aware of our need of You before we get ourselves into trouble. Rescue us from our overconfidence in ourselves and help us to grow an awareness of You. Thank You Lord for Your love.