The story of Samson is full of familiar features and surprising twists. The coming of Samson is announced by an angel to the barren, or childless, wife of Manoah (reminiscent of Abraham/Sarah, Isaac/Rebekah, Elkanah/Hannah, and of course, Joseph and Mary.) The angel (“man of God”) tells her that her son is to become a Nazirite, a Hebrew name for someone separated or consecrated in dedicated service to God. This service was sometimes for a period of time, or sometimes for life, as it appears in this case. (An interesting question is whether Jephthah’s daughter was separated/consecrated for service to God in the tradition of the Nazirites. See discussion on chapters 11 & 12.) Nazirite vows (Num. 6) included not drinking alcohol, not cutting one’s hair, not touching a dead body, and not eating anything unclean.

Manoah’s wife immediately shows her faith in what she has heard from the angel. She asks no questions, but when she tells Manoah, he decides that he needs more proof. With the second appearance of the “man of God”, Manoah asks him to stay and eat (reminiscent of Abraham’s hospitality in Gen. 18:1-15), an indication that Manoah and his wife do not actually recognize him as an angel (v. 16). Perhaps they regard him more as a prophet or messenger. When they ask for his name, the angel replies that it is “beyond understanding” (NIV) or “too wonderful” (NRSV). The Hebrew word here is pala, which means too full of wonder to understand. The word is used again in v.19 as “the Lord did an amazing thing” (NIV) or “him who works wonders (NRSV), and also in the famous verse from Isaiah 9:6 that offers a foreshadow of the birth of Christ: “he will be called Wonderful Counselor.”

Samson’s parents are portrayed as dedicated and faithful followers of God. They dedicate their child in the Nazirite tradition, yet a surprising twist quickly emerges: Samson wants to marry a Philistine woman, even though intermarriage is forbidden. Was Samson rebelling against his parents? Was he chaffing against the strict Nazirite way, a way he did not choose for himself? Or was God using Samson’s roving eye to begin Israel’s deliverance?

Questions:

Samson’s parents display a strong faith, and a strong devotion to their son. Chapter two emphasizes the importance of passing on the faith to the next generation. It is an ever-present challenge to parents and to the church. How might we beware, and what might we do to better prepare the next generation of believers?

Manoah’s wife shows faith, but Manoah doubts. The women at Jesus’ empty tomb show faith, but the disciples doubt. Why is faith so difficult at times?

Samson represents all Israel – divinely chosen, consecrated from birth, dedicated and faithful with unique power and privilege, yet easily led astray. What characteristics of Samson do you see in yourself?...other than the lion killing.

Do the many allusions to other biblical stories (i.e. the divine announcement of a baby to a childless couple) give you confidence that God is active in history then and now?

casparks4 wrote:

from Beth: (1)Parents have to walk the walk (live out their faith), not just talk the talk. (2)Faith is difficult at times because we have to place our hope & trust & lives to One we cannot hear, touch, or see (that's blind faith).(3)Samson was probably swayed be his power, and power corrupts. That's not my problem, but I want to take revenge on bad people like Samson does.(4)The Bible is full of people whom God uses, even though they are not royal or rich or powerful - they are even flawed like we are.