August 18

Introduction

Judges 16:23–31: Today’s reading is the conclusion to the story of Samson. As the Philistines celebrate their victory over Samson, they bring him out of prison to entertain them. Samson prays to God for strength, and the building (a temple dedicated to the Philistine god Dagon) collapses, killing the Philistines and himself.

Today’s Key Verse: Judges 16:28a

Then Samson prayed, “Sovereign LORD, please remember me; please, God, give me my strength just this one time more.”

Reading

²³ The Philistine kings met together to celebrate and offer a great sacrifice to their god Dagon. They sang, “Our god has given us victory over our enemy Samson!” ^24-25 They were enjoying themselves, and so they said, “Call Samson, and let’s make him entertain us!” When they brought Samson out of the prison, they made him entertain them and made him stand between the columns. When the people saw him, they sang praise to their god: “Our god has given us victory over our enemy, who devastated our land and killed so many of us!” ²⁶ Samson said to the boy who was leading him by the hand, “Let me touch the columns that hold up the building. I want to lean on them.” ²⁷ The building was crowded with men and women. All five Philistine kings were there, and there were about three thousand men and women on the roof, watching Samson entertain them.

²⁸ Then Samson prayed, “Sovereign Lord, please remember me; please, God, give me my strength just this one time more, so that with this one blow I can get even with the Philistines for putting out my two eyes.” ²⁹ So Samson took hold of the two middle columns holding up the building. Putting one hand on each column, he pushed against them ³⁰ and shouted, “Let me die with the Philistines!” He pushed with all his might, and the building fell down on the five kings and everyone else. Samson killed more people at his death than he had killed during his life.

³¹ His brothers and the rest of his family came down to get his body. They took him back and buried him between Zorah and Eshtaol in the tomb of his father Manoah. He had been Israel’s leader for twenty years.

Reflect

What is Samson’s prayer (verse 28)? How did he bring about the destruction of the building and the death of those inside? Samson had been Israel’s leader for twenty years. Based on what you have read these past three days, how would you characterize his leadership? What is his legacy (verse 30b)? What qualities do you look for in a leader today?

Pray

Gracious God, strengthen me with power of your Holy Spirit, and help me to proclaim your love, mercy, and salvation to everyone I meet today. Amen.

Tomorrow’s Reading

Ruth 1:1–22: A Moabite demonstrates her loyalty to the God of Israel.