
Judges 16:23-31
16:23-25 | The Philistines believed that their god Dagon was responsible for their capture of Samson. But their celebration would be short-lived, as god’s servant would prove god’s sovereignty.
16:25-27 | The word perform, used twice in this verse, is a variation of the Hebrew verb “to laugh.” The entertainment provided by Samson was probably not connected to his with or his strength but to his blindness. Placing obstacles in his way and striking or tripping him would be only a few of the cruel possibilities for tormenting a blind person in an unfamiliar place. So the Philistine rulers brought out Samson to amuse and entertain as he stood blind between the pillars of the temple.
16:28-30 | As one who had been humbled, Samson prayed for the opportunity to take vengeance on the Philistines for gouging out his eyes. The Hebrew word for pushed suggests a twisting motion inferring that Samson turned the pillars off their stone bases, thus removing eh support of the roof and causing its collapse. Samson accomplished more as a deliverer in his death than in his 20 years of judging Israel, Although unfaithfulness on the part of God’s people does not prevent God’s purposes, it proves tragic for the unfaithful ones.