Samson's Final Revenge Series

The Philistine rulers held a great festival offering sacrifices to their god Dagon. They said, "Our god has given us victory over our enemy Samson!" When the people saw him, they praised their god saying, "Our god has delivered our enemy to us! The one who killed do many of us is now in our power!" Half-drunk by now, the people demanded, "Bring out Samson so he can amuse us!" So, he was brought from the prison to amuse them and they had him stand between the pillars supporting the roof. Judges 16:23-25

Often when evil people succeed at bringing destruction into our lives, they will celebrate and believe they have won. They will be truly happy when a person falls from grace. They'll run to everyone they know and laugh at our failures, our bad decisions, they'll mock us when they see and hear our distress. The Philistines were LOVING the fact that Samson had been reduced to a blind grinder of grain when before he was a mighty judge of Israel. But Proverbs 42:17 tells us NOT to gloat when our enemy falls. Do NOT rejoice when they stumble.

Samson said to the young servant who was leading him by the hand, "Place my hands against the pillars that hold up the temple. I want to rest against them." Judges 16:26 The once leader now must be led.

Now the temple was filled with people. All the Philistine rulers were there, and there were about 3,000 men and women on the roof who were watching as Samson amused them. Judges 16:27

Then Samson prayed to the Lord, "Sovereign Lord, remember me again. Oh God, please strengthen me just one more time. With one blow let me pay back the Philistines for the loss of my two eyes." Then Samson put his hands on the two center pillars that held up the temple. Pushing against them with both hands, he prayed, "Let me die with the Philistines." And the temple crashed down on the Philistine rulers and all the people. So, he killed more people when he died than during his entire lifetime. Later his brothers and other relatives went down to get his body. They took him back home and buried him between Zorah and Eshtaol where his father Manoah was buried. Samson had judged Israel for 20 years. Judges 16:28-31

It's interesting how Samson asked God to let him die along with the Philistines considering that his involvement with them brought about his destruction.

Maybe during his time in prison, Samson realized he shouldn't have married the first Philistine woman. His parents warned him, his lust overrode everything. Because he looked twice at this woman, he ended up on a path he wasn't supposed to be on. People say Delilah ruined him which is true because bad company corrupts good character (1 Corinthians 15:33). But in the end, it was his decision to not only be with her, but to let her influence him to give up his destiny. God was still merciful because one last time, He gave Samson the supernatural strength to destroy the Philistines. Samson could have accomplished more had it not been for his desire for the forbidden.