Though Moses delivered his people from slavery in Egypt; it was
Joshua who lead them out of the Sinai desert
and back into the promised land of Canaan.
Jericho, and reclaimed for them their lost heritage.> Samson lived in the era - 1250 BC to 1000 BC - when the Hebrews were reclaiming the land (of their ancestors) from their enemies (the Philistines). Samson was reputed to be as mighty as Hercules himself, and many stories are told about him and of his legendary strength...
The secret of Samson's strength is that he has been a Nazarite (one dedicated to God by special vows) from the time of his birth. If Samson is shorn of his hair, all his strength will leave him. Alas, he reveals this secret to Delilah, the woman who has claims upon his heart. And Delilah has no qualms about betraying him for eleven hundred pieces of silver.
Now no stronger than other men, Samson falls into the hands of his enemies (the Philistenes) who bind him with fetters and imprison him. However, no sooner is he interned, than the hair upon his head begins to grow again! This point is important, because Samson's fabled strength returns along with the locks upon his head. The Philistenes, meanwhile, prepare to sacrifice Samson unto their god Dagon. All the lords and ladies of the Philistenes are assembled in the house; Samson grasps the central pillars upon which the house stands, and brings it down. Samson is finally avenged upon his enemies, for the number of dead exceeds those he slew while he was among the living.
Why, asks the anthologist, does Samson continue to trust in the woman who has already betrayed him to the Philistenes three times? His behaviour may appear somewhat foolish, but the reader must understand that Samson is no ordinary man. He is a man who observes religious vows (unto God), vows that he is bound to uphold. Samson is a man of God, he must stand by truth and honour above all. To save his life, he cannot betray his soul. When his end nears, he calls upon God to give him the strength he needs to destroy his enemies.