“And what more shall I say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of SAMSON, and of Jephthae; of David also, and of Samuel, and of the prophets:” Hebrews 11:32.

What? Samson is to be found in the Hebrews chapter 11 Hall of Faith?

Not convinced? Let’s begin the comparison.

Samson’s nativity was foretold by the angel of the Lord. Judges 13:3; so was the conception and nativity of Jesus. Isaiah 7:14, Luke 1:31. Samson was sanctified unto God from the womb. Judges 13:5; so was Jesus. Luke 1:31,32

Samson was to begin to deliver Israel out of the hands of the Philistines. Judges 13:5. Jesus will deliver Israel out of the hands of their oppressors forever: he has and yet will deliver those that are His from sin and death. Luke 1:32,33 (Samson began to deliver, but Jesus is the Author and Finisher of our faith.)

Samson grew; the Lord blessed him; the Spirit began to move him. Judges 13:24. Jesus “grew, and waxed strong in spirit” Luke 1:80.

The first great test of Samson’s strength: barehanded, he rent a “lion” that “roared against Him. Judges 14:6. The first great test of Jesus’ strength: after 40 days of fasting in the wilderness, faced Satan, that “lion” that “roared against Him,” and left him in defeat. Matt. 4:1-11. ( The Lord, having conquered the “lion” has provided from within the dead carcase, so supplying us with sweet honey, an abundance of life and nourishment!)

Samson desired to take a wife of the “uncircumcised Philistines.” Judges 14:2,3. Jesus has taken a bride from the “uncircumcised Gentile” John 1:11,12.

Samson “sought an occasion” against the Philistines. Judges 14:4. Jesus, having taken upon Himself a body and dwelling among sinful men, “sought an occasion” against Satan and Sin; that He might subdue and destroy them both.

(In Judges 15:11 the Jews came to Samson desiring that he allow them to bind him and deliver him to the Philistines; their reasoning: “Knowest thou not that the Philistines are rulers over us? what is this that thou hast done unto us?” In John 11:48 the Jews again rationalize: “If we let Him thus alone. . .the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation.”)

Samson allowed himself to be bound by the Jews, although no cords could hold him if he desired to break free. In Gethsemane, Jesus went forth to meet the Jews and willingly allowed them to bind Him. These wicked unbelievers did not realize Samson to be a One-man army: that he could single-handedly deliver them from the Philistines: likewise, Christ, by Himself has won the battles, defeating Satan, Sin, Death, Hell, and the Grave!

These Jews were willing to deliver Samson into the hands of the Philistines, knowing full well their intentions to afflict and perhaps kill him. Again, in delivering Jesus into Roman hands, their murderous hearts cried out, “Crucify him!”

In Judges 15:14, a resurrection picture: the Philistines cried against Samson; his bonds melted away; he slew them. Death and Hell cried against Christ, but their bands were unable to hold Him; He rose victorious; the graveclothes fell from Him. Samson slew the enemy with the Jawbone; Christ, with the Word of His mouth.

After slaying the enemy, Samson cried unto God, “I. . .thirst!” Jesus, also, after slaying Satan, after bruising his head, cried “I thirst!” Samson “called on the Lord;” “Thou hast given this great deliverance into the hand of thy servant: and now shall I die for thirst. Reason is given us herein, for the Lord to cry, “I thirst!” It was directed, not at man, but God. It was a Spiritual thirst. As water came forth from the jawbone of the ass to satisfy Samson’s thirst, likewise was Christ’s thirst satisfied: “When thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed. He shall see the travail of His soul, and shall be satisfied. Isaiah 53:10,11.

In Judges 16:1-3 we are given a metaphor; a picture of death, hell, and the grave. “They compassed him in;” they laid wait for him all night in the gate, they said, “We shall kill him.” “And Samson. . .arose!” He took the doors of the gate of the city - and the two posts, and went away with them, bar and all - and put them on his shoulders - and carried them up to the top of a hill that is before Hebron.

Christ arose! Not only does He carry the keys of Death and Hell, but He has carried away the gates of Death and the Grave, bar and all! Even the framework, the doorposts are removed! As trophies of His victory, He carries them upon His shoulders up to the top of a hill: He has “led Captivity captive!” “And having spoiled principalities and powers, He made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it” Col. 2:15.

“to the top of the hill that is before Hebron.” Hebron; where Abraham built altars of sacrifice before God: likewise a dwelling place for Isaac and Jacob; a royal residence for king David; a fitting place for a witness before God and men! May we stand triumphantly in Christ and cry aloud, “Death, where is thy sting; Grave, where is thy victory?!!”

Samson was betrayed by Delilah, who pretended to love him. Jesus was betrayed by Judas, who pretended to love Him. Samson (we may rightly assume) was betrayed by a kiss. Jesus, as clearly verified by the scriptures, was betrayed with a kiss.

Delilah conspired and covenanted with the Philistine lords to betray Samson into their hands. Judas also conspired and covenanted with the Jewish lords (priests) to betray Jesus into their hands.

Delilah was promised 1100 pieces of silver from each of the five Philistine lords: (they were as five princes who ruled over the five major cities of the land.) The total: 5500 pieces of silver. Judas however, received only 30 pieces of silver for his efforts. What price, betrayal? The picture is simple. Samson was a Judge, a Ruler. Jesus came as a servant: the price paid was such as should be paid for a female slave.

The purpose of the Philistine lords: to “prevail against him; to bind him to afflict him.” As for Jesus, “the Jews took Jesus, and bound him.” John 18:12. “Pilate therefore took Jesus and scourged Him. The soldiers smote Him with their hands.” John 19:1-3.

Delilah. . .began to afflict him. . .he wist not that the Lord was departed from him. Jesus cried, My God. . .why hast Thou forsaken me. Christ became “Sin for us” “He was oppressed, and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb“ Isaiah 53:7. Samson is lead before the shearers; the locks of his hair are shaven off: Jesus is lead before the shearers, willingly allowing Himself to be shorn and afflicted.

Samson’s strength went from him. Judges 16:19. “My strength faileth me” Psalm 38:10.

The Philistines “put out his eyes” Judges 16:21. “My strength faileth me: as for the light of mine eyes, it is also gone from me” Ps.38:10. “Mine eyes fail while I wait for my God.” Ps.69:3. (these are Messianic Psalms)

They bound him with fetters of brass. Judges 16:21. Jesus was “bound” to the cross with fetters. (nails) Brass speaks of judgment.

[One may have his eyes put out, but Faith does not require eyes in order to see. Samson’s hair began to grow again. The hair was shaved off, but the roots remained! Faith is not destroyed as long as the root is there! They might well have been advised to scalp him!]

Samson is placed between two pillars: Christ, on the Cross, between two thieves. Samson is made sport of; he is mocked and reviled; so was Jesus. The Philistines gloried in their apparent victory. Judges 16:24. The powers of darkness gloried in their apparent victory at the Cross.

The house was full of men and women: there were upon the roof about 3000. Samson’s last performance; he literally brought the house down!

His cry: “let me die with the Philistines.” “And he made his grave with the wicked.” Isaiah53:9. Christ identified Himself with us; dying in our stead, in our behalf.

And the walls came tumbling down! Christ reached forth with outstretched hands and in great strength brought down the stronghold of Satan. He gave a fatal shake to the Gates of Hell, and through death, destroyed him that had the power of death, that is the Devil!

His burial: his brethren and the house of his father came and took him and buried him. Nicodemus and Joseph came and took the body of Jesus for burial.

Samson’s RESURRECTION! It hasn’t happened yet, but it will! Because Christ arose, so will Samson! And so will every believer!

Return to Scripture Studies