This post is the beginning of a teaching series meant to help us learn more about the women of the Bible. They are real and once walked the earth just as we are now. They may have spoken a different language, but our ways are very similar to theirs. Although some of us feel out of place, know that nothing is new under the sun. (Ecclesiastes 1:9)You are not the only one feeling the way you feel. Also, know that others are or have experienced what you are going through this very moment.
Today's post is about Delilah. Take note of any familiar characteristics that you possess. Enjoy! Get your Bible out to follow along with my commentary. I used the NLT version (=
Delilah- Gold Digger Extraordinaire
The story of Delilah is covered in Judges 16. For those not familiar with the story, she is Samson's love interest who betrays him. The betrayal results in his capture and death.
She first appears in verse 4. Based on verses 1-3, Samson didn't seem to be the monogamous type. He stayed with a prostitute but only until midnight and then leaves carrying the town gate doors with him. (apparently, just because he could. ) This tells me that Delilah had to be really good at what she did to have him fall in love with her. Note that verse 4 reads he fell in love with her, not she with him.
Verse 5 reads "The rulers of the Philistines went to her and said, 'Entice Samson to tell you what makes him so strong and how he can be overpowered and tied up securely. Then each of us will give you 1,100 pieces of silver.' " Question: why are the Philistine rulers comfortable enough with Delilah to ask her that? Did she appear to be money hungry? Or appear not to be in love with him? Or did they put her on assignment to woo him from the very beginning?
Verse 6:Immediately, she goes to him and poses the question. Straight forward, no beading around the bush. She possessed confidence, for sure.
Verse 7 has me asking: Why lie about it, Samson? Why not say none of your business or ask her why she wants to know? He was so cocky in his strength (recall carrying the gate doors) that he didn't mind putting on a show for her.
Verse 9-12: Apparently he thought it was a game she created. She asked and tested his responses not once but TWICE by this point. Dense much, Samson? He was so vain and confident in his physical strength that he didn't spend much time on his mental strength. He really thought he was invincible.
Verse 13: Wait, weave his hair into a fabric? Is this the first recorded sew in? Note:It does seem as if she was wearing him down a bit. He came a little closer to the truth with this one.
Verse 15: Uh oh, the pout face. Delilah was good. I'm sure she practiced that face for a good while before unleashing it on him. And then she threw in " how can you tell me 'I love you'...I told you , she's a professional.
Verse 16: Talk about persistence! After using "the face" and "the line" and still not getting the results she wanted, she went to the extreme; getting on his nerves. She aggravated him to no end. He probably said" Look here woman! If I tell you, will you finally SHUT UP!"
Verse 18: Boy, those Philistines wanted him dead. She cried wolf so many times, it's a wonder they even listened to her anymore.
Verse 20: "..he didn't realize the Lord left him." Man, that's tough! I'll tell ya another thing he failed to realize; who Delilah truly was.
Verse 21: Captured with his eyes gouged out?? OUCH
Verse 22: "But before long, his hair began to grow back." (How long is "before long"? His hair must've grown like grass...just like Reggie and Zion.
That is the last we hear of Delilah. Her story didn't even span 20 verses but boy, did she do some damage. I'm sure she was "on to the next" with silver in hand.
Samson was probably looking for her to "hold him down" while he was on lock down, but he had no such luck... I wonder if God revealed the conspiracy to him during his prison time.
Samson did die during captivity but only after killing over 3000 of his captors with his regained God-given strength.
Delilah had pros(yes pros) and cons. On the upside she was driven, and capable of pleasing her man. Unfortunately she was also money hungry, thirsty( I guess I used that correctly), manipulative and cold hearted (among other things). If only she could've dedicated her time and energy towards the Lord and not money. You cannot serve both. (Matthew 6:24)
We should be sure that we are not sent on assignment to distract our mate from what God has for them. It may not be as serious as death but it can still be very serious. Men are sometimes one sided in their thinking (as Samson was about his strength). It is our responsibility to be the help meet and not take advantage of their weaknesses. We all will reap what we sow. God knows and sees ALL!
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