The Bible Book

THE HISTORICAL BOOKS 107

hero. Others see him as a real

historical figure. The biblical tale

of Samson sheds light on how

individuals can derive strength

from God’s spirit, and illustrates

the fundamental nature of human

weakness. The contrast between

divine strength and mortal frailty

is shown by Samson’s story.

Through God he is physically

strong, but he yearns for and seeks

out the company of women and

breaks his Nazirite vows. This

ultimately brings about his

downfall; he fulfills the mission

he has been given by God, but he

is continually diverted by selfish

impulses along the way.

Two important lessons can

be taken from this story. First,

it makes clear that God has the

power to take a human being’s

He will become weak if he is tied with seven

fresh bowstrings that have not been dried.

He will become weak if he is tied securely

with new ropes that have never been used.

He will become weak if the braids of his hair are

woven into fabric on the loom and pinned down.

The truth: Samson will become

weak if his head is shaved.

He snaps the

bowstrings as easily as

strings held over a flame.

He snaps the ropes as

if they are threads.

He easily pulls up the

pin and the loom.

Samson loses his strength and

is captured by the Philistines.

selfish impulses, such as Samson’s

lust, and use them to accomplish

His will. Although Samson’s life

ends in tragedy, he does achieve

the goal he has been set. The story

also illustrates the dangers of

ceaseless retaliation. Samson and

the Philistines attack each other

back and forth, until all parties

involved are destroyed by the

endless cycle of vengeance. ■

Samson tells Delilah ... When Delilah believes him ...

Samson and Delilah in popular culture

The story of Samson—and

particularly of his relationship

with the woman from the Valley

of Sorek, Delilah—is one of the

most riveting tales in the Bible.

The couple’s love affair and her

quest to uncover the secret of his

strength have inspired artists,

writers, and screenwriters. Delilah

has been portrayed as a heartless

seductress and a lover torn

between loyalties.

Numerous artists, including

Michelangelo and Rembrandt,

have painted scenes from the

lovers’ lives. Popular literature,

from The Canterbury Tales

to Thackeray’s Vanity Fair,

is replete with references to

the pair. One of the most

lavish representations of the

lovers is Cecil B. DeMille’s

1949 Hollywood classic Samson

and Delilah, starring Victor

Mature as Samson and Hedy

Lamarr as Delilah. DeMille

created an action-packed drama,

casting Lamarr as a minx and

Mature as a handsome but

simple-minded hulk.

Delilah, played by Hedy Lamarr,

prepares to cut Samson’s hair in the

1949 film, which cast Delilah as the

vengeful sister of Samson’s first wife.

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