AND SAMSON SAID UNTO THE LAD, Judges 16:26
The day the temple of Dagon fell and crushed the mighty strong man Samson, closed the book on his life. No longer would he do anymore-great deeds for the Lord. Anything that he was going to do would forever go undone.
There is, however, another sad story found in the death of Samson on that day. It is an untold story from the bible, and is therefore left for men and women of God in all generations to use so that the youth through all ages may come to know the Lord at an early age.
The story is found in the unnamed lad that led Samson to the two pillars. His story is not told, and therefore we can only make applicable comparisons and use deductive reasoning to fabricate his background, his parents, his life, and his eternal destination.
The first time I heard the story of Samson and of his death, I felt pity for the lad that led him about the temple. As this lad led Samson, he had no idea what Samson was plotting. He was merely going about the task assigned unto him. Eccl 12:1 Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them;
. Though we are not told, directly, that he died beside Samson, it is not revealed that he escaped. For the sake of contrast and thought, let us examine this young lad and his family. Perhaps from peering into a normal day in their lives we may learn some important things pertaining unto ours.
A. His Parents.
1. His parents were religious.
The worship of Dagon was the popular religion of the Philistines. His parents, wanted to be accepted in society, so they made certain that they were in the fashionable and social circles of their day. If there were such a thing as a country club, they would have been loyal members. Therefore, should they have missed this great day at the temple of Dagon, the tongues would be chattering and raising questions on social media, as to why they missed this momentous service. For all we know they had ‘box seats’ right beside or behind one of the five lords of the Philistines.
This is a big temple, for the attendance on this day was listed above 3,000, v. 27. Mom and dad would not think of going to some quaint little church or even a semi-large church where old fashioned preaching and teaching is the norm. His parents wanted and desired a service wherein everyone had a good time (At their worship service you could make sport of your enemies instead of praying for them. Mat 5:44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;) and you left feeling good about yourself, and not feeling guilty.
Thus, the religious folk today still search for a religion that is compatible with their lifestyles. 2 Tim 3:5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
2. Sought the wrong positions for their son.
The lad’s parents were probably very proud of their son, for of all the young men of the city of Gaza or the Philistines, “their son” was the one leading this ex-hero around on a tether or by the hand. This man that pulled the gate out of this very city wall, Judges 16:2, that slew a 1,000 men, is now hobbling around and “their son” is the one showing the people how docile this Jewish man really is!
This is quite a day in his young life and proud parent beam with joy. If they had had smart phones, they would be taking pictures and sending the out to family and friends. . How do we know this? Human nature has NOT changed since the fall of man, unless the person has been born again.
The parent of this young lad leading Samson about the temple swell their breasts with pride as the crowd cheers and mocks this blind and feeble pathetic hero. “Their son,” not their neighbor’s son, “their son” is the one leading this blind slayer of men about and making him cower! “Their son” is getting his name known and his face seen by the people in the know, for all the great and influential men and women of Gaza are here today! In days to come the whole city will recall “their son” and his bravery of leading Samson about the temple!
3. They took him to the temple.
Mom and dad on this particular day did not send their child to the temple with someone they hardly knew. Today they took him. For all we know this unnamed lad was raised in the temple and knew the feel of every stone. Perhaps his parents were quite faithful for they did not want their child caught up in some blood-preaching religion that elevated the shedding of blood for the remission of sin. The young man’s parents had his best worldly interest at heart.
B. Contrasts.
It is doubtful that this young lad was a slave. It would be far more humiliating to one such as Samson to be led and taunted by a Philistine youth than by a slave of another nationality.
We do not know the facts of life about this unnamed young man. We only know that people do not change. That which was highly esteemed among men centuries ago is still highly valued today. Times have not changed; neither has the desires of parents for their children. Many parents faithfully seek those things for their children that bring the praises of men instead of the praises of the Lord: education, large sports contract, money, prestige, etc. This young man is following the lead set by his parents. The times are no exception to this rule.
As we contemplate this unnamed Philistine youth with other young men named Timothy and Joseph, we find some interesting items.
1. Timothy.
Timothy was the son of a Greek father and Jewish mother, 2 Tim. 1:5, Acts 16:1-3. He was instructed in his family’s faith as well. He has two generations of women instilling the things of God in him. These two noble ladies did not entrust Timothy’s religious upbringing to strangers. They taught him from his youth the scriptures, 1 Tim 4:12. Young Timothy was raised to have faith in his God, 2 Tim 1:5. His parents were not overly concerned with the praises of men. It was more important for him to praise the Lord.
Young Timothy allowed his will to be influenced by the will of God and in so doing he received praises from one of the greatest men of the bible, the Apostle Paul and he had two books of the bible named after him. Furthermore, every man or woman that surrendered their will to the Lord must be familiar with the characteristics of the ministry found in 1 and 2 Timothy.
2. Joseph.
Joseph is the son of Jacob and Rebecca. Now you talk about a dysfunctional family, Joseph came from one of the MOST dysfunctional families recorded.
He was the first born from the woman Jacob loved. Because of the honor and prestige placed on him by his father, his sibling were jealous, and plotted his death. Realizing that they could make a dollar or two off him, they opted and sold him into slavery.
Young Joseph was a lad of about 17 when he sold into bondage. Into the pagan Egyptian world he went withoutL
a bible,
a prayer partner,
a pastor to come to for spiritual instructions,
or any of the hundreds of spiritual tools and blessings we take for granted today.
He had no religious books on which he could read.
All he had was his faith.
Regardless, Joseph is the greatest type of the Lord Jesus Christ found in scripture. No other character manifested the attributes of Jesus Christ as does Joseph.
3. Jew, Gentile, and Philistine.
Three young men from three varying environments and nationalities are set in contrast one to the other. Each is separated by hundreds of years. Timothy was influenced by Godly parents. Joseph was highly beloved by his parents.
The unnamed and unknown Philistine lad remains as such. To him and his family it was another day of worship in Dagon’s temple. Their problems were many:
1. Wrong god
2. Wrong temple
3. Wrong worship service
4. Wrong motives
5. Sought the wrong things for their son.
All these errors resulted in the wrong eternal dwelling place. The parents of Joseph, Timothy, and this unnamed Philistine youth thought they were doing the best thing for their child. (Jacob thought in his heart that it was OK to favor Joseph over the other’s. As a man thinks in his heart, so he is, Prov 23:7.) Had Joseph stayed with his family, he would probably have spent his life under the thumb of Jacob as did his eleven brothers.
The young Philistine lad remains unnamed. He is a type of the wayward youth of any time that happens to be at the wrong place at the wrong time. His parents sought the things of the world for their son instead of the things of God. Or perhaps, they didn’t care anything about him. Take your pick.
Enjoying the pleasures of the world with family or friends, worshipping the wrong god, and mocking a man that was trapped in his sins cost them dearly. Sudden death interrupted their lives that day.
CONCLUSION:
Can you imagine the look that came across this lad’s face when he heard Samson pray: Judg 16:28 And Samson called unto the LORD, and said, O Lord GOD, remember me, I pray thee, and strengthen me, I pray thee, only this once, O God, that I may be at once avenged of the Philistines for my two eyes.
The bible says the house was full. Picture the lad standing besides Samson and hearing him pray. Other than Samson, this lad is the only soul aware of what is about to take place. He saw the man Samson take hold of the pillars. He knows what is about to happen and is helpless to stop it.
As we think upon this real life historical situation some questions and thoughts come to mind:
1. Did the you young man try to escape through the crowd, but instead he found it was impossible to weave his way to safety? Have you ever found yourself in a life or death situation and suddenly realized this event was happening so fast that you were as helpless as this lad? You, as this lad, are about to be swept into the open arms of death. (How often does the news outlets report of people being killed in a crowd trying escape a burning building?)
2. Seeing the man Samson bow down, Judges 16:30, grasping the pillars and seeing the muscles strain in his body, and hearing the stones began to grind, dust begins to fall from ceiling, and it seems the very foundation of the building is swaying, did this young lad try to warn his parents?
3. As the ceiling begins to fall and the slabs and timbers crush the people on the ground floor, did this young lad look around for a safe refuge? It was too late to seek refuge. He does not have time to get his heart right with God. It is his time to die for the time of getting his heart right was past.
The only one that was right with God that day in Dagon’s temple was Samson.
Grady (doc) Henley
