The book of Judges is an example of how the Bible describes behavior that God would never prescribe. We see God at work through imperfect people, but we also see situations that are completely outside the will of God.

We should continue to look at these stories through the lens of the Law God gave to Moses. When someone violates the Law, there are always consequences, sooner or later.

Samson in Gaza

Samson probably believed that he was invulnerable after his many victories over the Philistines. He felt he could come and go as he pleased, and Judges 16 finds him deep in Philistine country, visiting a prostitute in the city of Gaza. Word got out that Samson was in town and Philistine men surrounded the house, waiting for Samson to emerge at dawn so they could kill him.

Samson got up at midnight, however, and on his way out of town he pulled down the city gates. He carried them on his shoulders uphill to Hebron, 20 or more miles away.

Bob Deffinbaugh at Bible.org says that God gave Samson more than supernatural strength when he tore down the gates. God also gave him supernatural protection from the Philistines so they didn’t catch him at his task. Deffinbaugh also says there may have been a prophetic message in the gates coming down. God had taken away the Philistines’ defenses

Delilah

Samson loved a challenge when it came to romance and the next partner he chose was a wily woman named Delilah. They lived together without the benefit of marriage, which seemed to suit both of them.

The Bible doesn’t say whether Delilah was a Philistine, but she had Philistine connections and she was willing to betray Samson to them for enough shekels. She didn’t try to be subtle with Samson. She asked him, “Tell me the secret of your great strength and how you can be tied up and subdued.” Judges 16:6

Samson loved this game. Three times he gave Delilah false information and each time, when she tried what he suggested, it failed. Every time she tried something new she tested it by shouting, “Samson, the Philistines are upon you!”

Samson wasn’t bothered by the reference to the Philistines. They had never beaten him yet and he enjoyed demonstrating his strength to whoever was watching.

But a nagging woman can wear down even the strongest man and Samson finally told Delilah about his Nazarite status. There were only three requirements of a Nazarite; they must never touch fermented drink, cut their hair or touch a dead person. As long as Samson maintained these three vows, he would keep the strength God gave him.

Delilah saw her opportunity.

Samson’s Defeat and His Revenge

While Samson slept with his head in Delilah’s lap she called someone to shave off the seven braids of his hair. Then she woke him by calling out, “Samson, the Philistines are upon you!” Judges 16:20

There was no escape this time and the Philistines captured Samson. They blinded him, shackled him and put him to work grinding grain in prison.

A broken Nazarite vow could be renewed if the Nazarite met its requirements again. In Samson’s case, his supernatural strength returned as his hair grew back. He was ready to take revenge on the Philistines again, but this time he prayed before he acted.

“Sovereign Lord, remember me. Please, God, strengthen me just once more, and let me with one blow get revenge on the Philistines for my two eyes.” Judges 16:28

This was the first time that Samson acknowledged to God that his strength came from him. With a mighty push he broke the pillars that held up the pagan temple and three thousand people died . . . and so did Samson.

It turned out that Samson was not the only child in his family. After he was born there were other sons and possibly daughters. When he died his family came and collected his body. They buried him near his father Manoah. Samson led Israel for twenty years.

Hall of Fame Inductee

After all the things Samson did wrong it might be hard to believe he was a man God approved. However, his name is listed among the names of people God commends for their faith in Hebrews 11, God’s Faith Hall of Fame.

“And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the prophets who by faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised.” Hebrews 11:32-33.

Micah and the Levite

Micah was an Ephraimite man with questionable character. He stole silver shekels from his mother. But when she cursed the thief who stole from her, he brought back the money and admitted to his crime. His mother was proud of him for doing the right thing so she gave him part of the silver and asked him to turn it into an idol.

Micah already had a shrine for household gods so he added the new silver idol. He had installed one of his sons as the priest, but then one day a young Levite dropped by and Micah hired him to be the family priest instead. He treated him like part of the family and he was happy because he believed that now all of his religious bases were covered.

“And Micah said, ‘Now I know that the Lord will be good to me, since this Levite has become my priest.’” Judges 17:13

The Tribe of Dan

Dan was the last tribe to receive its allotment of land from Joshua and they were never successful in taking control of it. The Philistines occupied so much of their territory that the Danites didn’t have room to live there. They began looking for an easier place to live. They sent out five leading men to look for a good land to conquer.

The spies had to pass through Ephraim and stopped near Micah’s house. When they heard the voice of the young priest they asked him to inquire of God whether their journey would be successful. He assured them that they would be successful.

The five men traveled farther north and discovered a remote town called Laish, in a spacious area that was prosperous and far removed from any neighboring towns. The spies hurried home and encouraged their fellow Danites to come and take possession of the prize they had found. Six hundred men from Dan formed an army and set off to conquer Laish.

Micah’s Idols

On the way, they passed by Micah’s house again and the five spies stole his silver idol, ephod and household gods. Then they hired away his priest. The young Levite thought it was better for him to serve a whole tribe than just one family.

Micah was devastated by his loss. He called his friends together and they went after the Danites.

“As they shouted after them, the Danites turned and said to Micah, ‘What’s the matter with you that you called out your men to fight?’ He replied, ‘You took the gods I made, and my priest, and went away. What else do I have? How can you ask, ’What’s the matter with you?’” Judges 18:23-24

The Danites threatened Micah with violence and “Micah, seeing that they were too strong for him, turned around and went back home.” Judges 18:26

Idolatry in Dan

The tribe of Dan continued on their way and easily took the defenseless town of Laish. They destroyed the city and then rebuilt and named it Dan. The young Levite turned out to be a bit of  a celebrity; he was Jonathan, son of Gershom, a descendant of Moses. He and his descendants served as priests in Dan until the Assyrians overran the country hundreds of years later.

Shiloh was the place of worship for Israel and it wasn’t very far away from Dan’s new home, but the priests and the tribe of Dan didn’t go there to worship. They continued to practice idolatry with Micah’s idol.

The Error of Israel’s Ways

Israel fell deeper and deeper into sin and error because, “In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as he saw fit.” Judges 17:6

• Samson followed his reckless impulses and waited to the end of his life before he prayed.
• Micah the Ephraimite made gods for himself and was lost when they were stolen.
• The Danites failed to conquer the land Joshua had assigned to them and they took land that wasn’t theirs.

The Israelites were on a downward spiral as everyone became more lawless. The Bible says they had no king, but actually God was still their king. They just weren’t obeying him anymore.

Sadly, tomorrow we will read one of the darkest stories in ancient Israel’s history.