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Judges 13 Samson's Birth and Early Life

1 The Birth of Samson
Again the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord, so the Lord delivered them into the hands of the Philistines for forty years.

2 A certain man of Zorah, named Manoah, from the clan of the Danites, had a wife who was sterile and remained childless.

3 The angel of the Lord appeared to her and said, “You are sterile and childless, but you are going to conceive and have a son.

4 Now see to it that you drink no wine or other fermented drink and that you do not eat anything unclean,

5 because you will conceive and give birth to a son. No razor may be used on his head, because the boy is to be a Nazirite, set apart to God from birth, and he will begin the deliverance of Israel from the hands of the Philistines.”

6 Then the woman went to her husband and told him, “A man of God came to me. He looked like an angel of God, very awesome. I didn’t ask him where he came from, and he didn’t tell me his name.

7 But he said to me, ‘You will conceive and give birth to a son. Now then, drink no wine or other fermented drink and do not eat anything unclean, because the boy will be a Nazirite of God from birth until the day of his death.’”

8 Then Manoah prayed to the Lord: “O Lord, I beg you, let the man of God you sent to us come again to teach us how to bring up the boy who is to be born.”

9 God heard Manoah, and the angel of God came again to the woman while she was out in the field; but her husband Manoah was not with her.

10 The woman hurried to tell her husband, “He’s here! The man who appeared to me the other day!”

11 Manoah got up and followed his wife. When he came to the man, he said, “Are you the one who talked to my wife?”
“I am,” he said.

12 So Manoah asked him, “When your words are fulfilled, what is to be the rule for the boy’s life and work?”

13 The angel of the Lord answered, “Your wife must do all that I have told her.

14 She must not eat anything that comes from the grapevine, nor drink any wine or other fermented drink nor eat anything unclean. She must do everything I have commanded her.”

15 Manoah said to the angel of the Lord, “We would like you to stay until we prepare a young goat for you.”

16 The angel of the Lord replied, “Even though you detain me, I will not eat any of your food. But if you prepare a burnt offering, offer it to the Lord.” (Manoah did not realize that it was the angel of the Lord.)

17 Then Manoah inquired of the angel of the Lord, “What is your name, so that we may honor you when your word comes true?”

18 He replied, “Why do you ask my name? It is beyond understanding.”

19 Then Manoah took a young goat, together with the grain offering, and sacrificed it on a rock to the Lord. And the Lord did an amazing thing while Manoah and his wife watched:

20 As the flame blazed up from the altar toward heaven, the angel of the Lord ascended in the flame. Seeing this, Manoah and his wife fell with their faces to the ground.

21 When the angel of the Lord did not show himself again to Manoah and his wife, Manoah realized that it was the angel of the Lord.

22 “We are doomed to die!” he said to his wife. “We have seen God!”

23 But his wife answered, “If the Lord had meant to kill us, he would not have accepted a burnt offering and grain offering from our hands, nor shown us all these things or now told us this.”

24 The woman gave birth to a boy and named him Samson. He grew and the Lord blessed him,

25 and the Spirit of the Lord began to stir him while he was in Mahaneh Dan, between Zorah and Eshtaol.

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Analysis of Judges Chapter 13

The narrative of Judges Chapter 13 marks the beginning of the story of Samson, one of Israel’s most renowned judges. This chapter sets the stage for the birth and calling of Samson, and it holds deep theological, historical, and spiritual significance. In the broader context of the Book of Judges, this chapter reflects on the cyclical nature of Israel’s faithfulness and disobedience, as well as God’s continued grace and intervention. Through a detailed verse-by-verse analysis, we uncover profound insights embedded in this narrative.

Verse 1: “Again the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the LORD, so the LORD delivered them into the hands of the Philistines for forty years.”

This verse introduces the painful cycle familiar to readers of the Book of Judges. The Israelites once again turn away from God, resulting in oppression by their enemies. The forty years of subjugation under the Philistines indicate a period of suffering and reflection designed to bring Israel back to repentance. Theologically, this serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of disobedience to God’s covenant.

Verse 2-3: “A certain man of Zorah, named Manoah, from the clan of the Danites, had a wife who was childless, unable to give birth. The angel of the LORD appeared to her and said, ‘You are barren and childless, but you are going to become pregnant and give birth to a son.’”

The introduction of Manoah and his wife sets a hopeful tone amidst Israel’s despair. The couple’s barrenness positions them as recipients of divine grace and intervention, reflecting similar biblical stories like those of Sarah, Rebecca, and Hannah. The “angel of the LORD” not only brings a message of miraculous birth but also signifies God’s direct involvement in Israel’s deliverance plan. This divine announcement, akin to those found in the births of key biblical figures, underscores the significance of Samson’s role.

Verse 4-5: “Now see to it that you drink no wine or other fermented drink and that you do not eat anything unclean. You will become pregnant and have a son whose head is never to be touched by a razor because the boy is to be a Nazirite, dedicated to God from the womb. He will take the lead in delivering Israel from the hands of the Philistines.”

The conditions laid out for Manoah’s wife identify Samson as a Nazirite (Numbers 6), emphasizing his supernatural calling and consecration to God. The Nazirite vow entailed abstinence from wine, unclean foods, and avoiding haircuts—symbolic of purity and dedication. Samson’s lifelong Nazirite status reinforces his unique mission and the divine purposes for which he is set apart. The promise, “He will take the lead in delivering Israel,” foreshadows Samson’s role as both a judge and a deliverer.

Verse 6-7: “Then the woman went to her husband and told him, ‘A man of God came to me. He looked like an angel of God, very awesome. I didn’t ask him where he came from, and he didn’t tell me his name. But he said to me, “You will become pregnant and have a son. Now then, drink no wine or other fermented drink and do not eat anything unclean, because the boy will be a Nazirite of God from the womb until the day of his death.”’

Manoah’s wife recounts the encounter, highlighting the angel’s divine appearance and reiterating the Nazirite conditions. Her retelling underscores the moment’s awe-inspiring nature while reinforcing the gravity and divine origin of the message. The angel’s emphasis on the Nazirite vow from the womb to death emphasizes the lifelong commitment to God’s purposes intended for Samson.

Verse 8-9: “Then Manoah prayed to the LORD: ‘Pardon your servant, Lord. I beg you to let the man of God you sent to us come again to teach us how to bring up the boy who is to be born.’ God heard Manoah, and the angel of God came again to the woman while she was out in the field; but her husband Manoah was not with her.”

Manoah’s prayer for further guidance reflects a sincere desire to follow God’s will precisely. His plea showcases a model of humility and dependence on divine instruction, demonstrating that albeit a miraculous promise, faithful stewardship requires divine wisdom. God’s response by sending the angel again illustrates His readiness to provide guidance to those who seek Him earnestly.

Verse 10-14: “The woman hurried to tell her husband, ‘He’s here! The man who appeared to me the other day!’ Manoah got up and followed his wife. When he came to the man, he said, ‘Are you the man who talked to my wife?’ ‘I am,’ he said. So Manoah asked him, ‘When your words are fulfilled, what is to be the rule that governs the boy’s life and work?’ The angel of the LORD answered, ‘Your wife must do all that I have told her. She must not eat anything that comes from the grapevine, nor drink any wine or other fermented drink nor eat anything unclean. She must do everything I have commanded her.’”

When Manoah seeks confirmation of the angel’s identity and specific guidance on raising their son, it further underscores the couple’s devotion and desire to comply with divine instructions. The angel reiterates the instructions given to Manoah’s wife, ensuring that the Nazirite vow’s sanctity is preserved. This reiteration signifies the imperative nature of following God’s commands for the fulfillment of divine plans.

Verse 15-18: “Manoah said to the angel of the LORD, ‘We would like you to stay until we prepare a young goat for you.’ The angel of the LORD replied, ‘Even though you detain me, I will not eat any of your food. But if you prepare a burnt offering, offer it to the LORD.’ (Manoah did not realize that it was the angel of the LORD.) Then Manoah inquired of the angel of the LORD, ‘What is your name, so that we may honor you when your word comes true?’ He replied, ‘Why do you ask my name? It is beyond understanding.’”

Manoah’s desire to extend hospitality and offer a sacrifice denotes reverence and gratitude. The angel’s refusal to partake in food and his instruction to offer a burnt offering to the LORD emphasizes that worship should be directed to God alone. The angel’s reluctance to disclose his name, describing it as “beyond understanding” (or ‘wonderful’ in some translations), alludes to his divine nature, further establishing the sacredness of the encounter.

Verse 19-21: “Then Manoah took a young goat, together with the grain offering, and sacrificed it on a rock to the LORD. And the LORD did an amazing thing while Manoah and his wife watched: As the flame blazed up from the altar toward heaven, the angel of the LORD ascended in the flame. Seeing this, Manoah and his wife fell with their faces to the ground. When the angel of the LORD did not show himself again to Manoah and his wife, Manoah realized that it was the angel of the LORD.”

The miraculous ascent of the angel through the offering’s flame underscores the divine nature of the encounter and serves as a powerful validation of the angel’s message. Manoah and his wife’s reaction, falling facedown, showcases the appropriate human response to the divine: reverence, awe, and worship. This event’s climax reinforces the supernatural endorsement of Samson’s calling and the seriousness of the forthcoming mission.

Verse 22-23: “‘We are doomed to die!’ he said to his wife. ‘We have seen God!’ But his wife answered, ‘If the LORD had meant to kill us, he would not have accepted a burnt offering and grain offering from our hands, nor shown us all these things or now told us this.’

Manoah’s fear of death upon realizing they have seen a divine messenger reflects the common biblical theme that seeing God (or His angel) could mean death (Exodus 33:20). However, his wife’s comforting reply reflects a profound understanding of God’s gracious nature. Her reasoning—that God would not reveal such a hopeful message or accept their offering if His intention was to harm them—reveals faith and theological insight into God’s character as one who brings hope and purpose rather than destruction.

Verse 24: “The woman gave birth to a boy and named him Samson. He grew, and the LORD blessed him,”

The fulfillment of the angel’s prophecy brings the narrative to a significant moment: the birth of Samson. The name Samson, deriving from the Hebrew word “Shemesh” (meaning “sun”), might imply strength and brightness, hinting at his future charismatic and powerful nature. The phrase “the LORD blessed him” indicates that Samson’s physical and spiritual growth were under divine favor, supporting the preparation for his future role.

Verse 25: “And the Spirit of the LORD began to stir him while he was in Mahaneh Dan, between Zorah and Eshtaol.”

Here, the stirring of the Spirit of the LORD within Samson foreshadows his capability and divine empowerment required for his activities against the Philistines. This divine empowerment is a recurrent theme in Judges and particularly vital in Samson’s narrative. The geographical mention places Samson within the context of his tribe, the Danites, indicating that his early movements were local but charged with divine potential for national significance.

The chapter as a whole provides a profound foundation for understanding the story of Samson. It is filled with elements of divine promise, human faithfulness, and the overarching theme of God’s ongoing involvement in Israel’s redemption despite their repeated failings. The miraculous circumstances surrounding Samson’s birth and the divine stipulations regarding his life hint at the extraordinary acts he will perform. Theologically, Judges Chapter 13 emphasizes God’s sovereignty and gracious intervention in raising individuals for His purposes despite human inadequacies.