The Birth of Samson

Judges 13:1-25

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Introduction: Samson is one of the strangest paradoxes in scripture. He has a miraculous birth, is chosen of God for special service and made a lifelong Nazarite and is given special strength from God. Yet, he only partially accomplishes his purpose and fails miserably in many ways to keep himself on the track chosen by God. If you are saved, you have the Spirit of God in you. You have tremendous potential for Him. How far are you falling short of what God has for you?

I. THE OPPRESSION OF THE PHILISTINES (13:1)

A. Israel Returns to Their Ways of Evil

B. They are Delivered to the Philistines for Forty Years

1. The sixth and last oppression recorded in Judges

2. The longest oppression – forty years

II. THE ANGEL APPEARS TO MANOAH’S WIFE (13:2-7)

A. The Situation of Manoah (v.2)

1. Of the family of the Danites; in the older portion of Dan located between the tribes of Judah and Ephraim.

2. His wife had no children

B. The Angel’s Message to Manoah’s Wife (v.3-5)

1. His promise of a son (v.3)

2. His instructions to her (v.4)

a. No wine or strong drink

b. No eating of any unclean thing

3. His instructions concerning her son (v.5)

a. No razor on his head

b. A Nazarite from the womb

c. Shall begin to deliver Israel; NOTE: He does not fully deliver Israel but only begins to deliver. Judges is still progressively going downhill. The previous judges fully delivered Israel but Samson will only begin to deliver.

The Vow of the Nazarite

Numbers 6:1-27

The vow of the Nazarite was voluntarily made by those who desired “to separate themselves unto the LORD” (v.2) for a determined season. “All the days of his separation he is holy unto the LORD” (v.8). During the time of his separation, the Nazarite was bound by three absolute restrictions.

q First, he could “eat nothing that is made of the vine tree, from the kernels even to the husk” (v.4).

q Second, “there shall not razor come upon his head: until the days be fulfilled” (v.5).

q Third, during the days of his separation, “he shall come at no dead body” (v.6).

At the end of his separation, specific sacrifices must be made at which time “the hair of his separation is shaven” (v.19). At that time, the restrictions of the vow are removed.

Samson was different in that his vow was involuntary and for life. Others who may have been life-long Nazarites were Samuel (1 Samuel 1:11) and John the Baptist (Luke 1:15).

Nazarite Vow: Numbers 6:1-27 - Describes the three restrictions on the one who took the Nazarite vow. Compares to Christian discipleship.

C. She Recounts the Message to Her Husband (v.6-7)

1. A man of God with the countenance of an angel (v.6)

2. The promise of a son who is a lifelong Nazarite (v.7)

III. THE ANGEL APPEARS TO MANOAH (13:8-14)

A. Manoah Prays for a Second Appearance (v.8)

B. The Angel Appears to Manoah’s Wife (v.9); Manoah’s prayer did not change God’s pattern – He still came to the woman first

C. She Brings Her Husband to the Angel (v.10-11)

D. The Angel Repeats His Instructions to Manoah (v.12-14)

1. Manoah wants further instructions (v.12)

2. The angel says Manoah’s wife had already been told (v.13-14)

IV. MANOAH OFFERS A SACRIFICE BEFORE THE ANGEL (13:15-23)

A. Manoah Desires to Feed the Angel (v.15-16)

1. He offers a kid (goat) for the angel (v.15)

2. The angel refuses to eat with him (v.16)

3. The angel suggests a burnt offering to the Lord (v.16)

B. The Angel Refuses to Give His Name (v.17-18; Genesis 32:29)

C. The Angel Ascended in the Flame of the Offering (v.19-20)

1. The angel did wondrously (v.19; cp. 6:21)

2. The angel ascended in the flame (v.20)

3. Manoah and his wife fell on their faces (v.20)

D. Manoah Recognizes the Identity of the Angel (v.21-23)

V. MANOAH’S WIFE BEARS A SON (13:24-25)

A. The Child is Born to Manoah and His Wife (v.24)

1. His name is Samson

2. The child grows

3. The Lord blesses him

B. The Spirit of the Lord Begins to Move Him (v.25)

Conclusion: What a wonderful opportunity! What a chance to serve God! Samson has a miraculous birth. He is a Nazarite (one separated unto God) from the time of his birth. Unfortunately, we know how poorly he uses his opportunities. How about you? God has blessed you in numerous ways. How are you using your opportunities for God?

Memory Verses: None

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