SAMSON
Samson returned to get his wife, but her father had given her to another man. He caught 300 foxes, attached firebrands to their tails, and released them in the fields of the Philistines, destroying them. Israel is forced to have Samson arrested and bound with ropes. They give him over to the Philistines. He broke the ropes, picked up the jawbone of a donkey, and killed 1000 Philistines! Samson goes to Gaza to visit a harlot. The Philistines surround the city, intending to kill Samson the next day. At midnight, Samson leaves the city, tears down the city gates, and carries them to the top of a nearby mountain!
Samson falls in love with another Philistine woman, Delilah. The Philistines agree to pay her to find the source of his strength. He lies to her three times, but finally tells her the truth--he will lose his strength if his hair is cut. While he sleeps, she has his hair cut, binds him with rope, and delivers him to the Philistines. They put out his eyes and place him in prison. He is forced to turn the millstone to grind grain. While he is in prison, Samson’s hair begins to grow again. The Philistines hold a great feast and bring him out to make sport of him. They lead him between two pillars that support the house where they are gathered. Samson prays to God and asks Him to return his strength so he can avenge his eyes. ¨He topples the pillars and causes the house to collapse, killing himself and all the Philistines. He kills more in death than during his entire life! Below is that very same building.