Samson was the soon of Manoah of the tribe of Dan. Dan signifies a judge or judgement as pronounced by Jacob while blessing his sons in Genesis 49:16-17. His mothetbwas barren for a long time, but in fulfilment of God's promises He gave Manoah and his wife a son who was named Samson.
The nation of Israel did what was evil in the sight of God, and God delivered them into the hand of the Philistines who oppressed them for 40years.
God in His mercy promised to give a son to Manoah and his wife who shall begin to deliver Israel. Samson was that promised son and his mandate was to begin to rescue Israel from the hand of the Philistines.
The spirit ofghe Lord came upon Samson, empowering him to do exploit. As Samson and his parents were going to Timnah in pursuance to Samson's marriage, a lion challenged Samson who killed the lion with bare hands. Lion is often referred to as the king of the forest and the Scripture describes lion as the king f of animals (Proverbs 30:30). It is only by the power of God that one can accomplish this.
To reward those who solved his riddles, Samson single handedly killed thirty men in Ashkelon, took their clothing and other belonging and gave to the thirty men that solved his riddle.
When Samson learnt that his wife was given to his best man, he caught and used three hundred foxes to destroy the wheat grades of the Philistines, judges 15:4-5. In retaliation, the farmers burned Samson's wife and her father to death. Samson then killed so many of them with this, the Philistines invaded John dah to capture Samson. Out of fear, the men of Judah tied up a d handed over Samson to the Philistines. While the Philistines were celebrating their victory, the spirit of God came mightily upon Samson, the ropes were loosened and he killed donkey and killed one thousand Philistines.
To be continued.
