Samson
A Nazarite - he was blessed with strength and did many mighty feats
He fought against the Philistines
He was not an average deliverance from an oppressor in this era
Delilah
A philistine woman who is morally corrupt
Eli
The high priest at Shiloh
Spiritual father of Samuel
Hophni & Phineas
“Worthless” sons of Eli
Samuel
The last judge
He was a prophet
teacher
Saul
The first king of Israel whom God called Samuel to anoint
David
The second king of Israel whom God called Samuel to anoint
Explain how the Nazirite vow is important to the story of Samson.
He would be a living miracle of God’s power to deliver His people. He was given strength greater than anyone who has ever lived. He would have to remain humble and recognize that his unique gift was to be used only for the glory of God. Both the Israelites and the Philistines would know that God was the true source of Samson’s strength.
Samson was noted for his anger and his desire for women. Give a specific example of how both his anger and his desire for women caused him problems.
He knew he had been tricked. He went to the Philistine port city of Ashkelon (24 miles from Timnah) and killed 30 Philistines. He took their garments from them and gave them to the Philistine companions to pay off his bet.
Explain how Samson’s deliverance of Israel from the Philistines was different from the deliverance by most of the other judges.
Samson was going to be a thorn in the Philistines’ flesh for many years to come. God would use Samson to demonstrate His power through a series of ongoing skirmishes with the Philistines.
Why is the story of Eli important to the study of the book of Judges?
He would witness Samuel’s birth and call to ministry
Witness the destruction of his two wicked sons
Elkanah
Samuel’s father
Philistines
The longest oppressors of Israel (40 years)
Explain the two warnings that Eli received regarding the sins of his two sons. Be sure to identify the two sins mentioned in the story. Also note what would happen if Eli allowed his sons ot continue in their sins.
He got a warning from Samuel, as well as a “man of God”.
They perverted the sacrifices - they kept more than their proper share of what the people brought to sacrifice.
They participated in immoral conduct with some of the women who served at the tabernacle.
Because Eli did not stop the sins of his sons, punishment would now come upon Eli’s house.
His house would be destroyed
Nobody from his family would be a high priest
His sons will die
