The Birth of Samson

Israel, revealing the issue deep in their heart by drawing close to their sin once again, is now captive to the Philistines. Within that captive nation exists a man named Manoah. He and his wife had no children. But as we have seen, barrenness is no obstacle for God. He appears to Manoah’s wife and tells them they will have a son who will rescue Israel. Manoah and his wife, like many of us today, show profound gratitude for this gift from God and ask Him how they should raise the boy, trusting in God and doing their best to bring Samson up in a way that will honor Him.

In our last episode we heard the tragic story of Jephthah, a mighty warrior who led Israel in victory against the Ammonites but whose impulsive and foolish promise cost him his daughter, his only child. Though Jephthah is remembered as a hero of the faith in Hebrews, he is also remembered for his impulsive vow and the high price he paid for staying true to his word. Today we’ll hear how Israel disobeyed God again and needed a new hero to rescue them. His name is Samson. Samson doesn’t come onto the scene as a full-grown man ready to be the people’s hero. We’ll get to see his story from before his birth and how God chose him for a special purpose. But more than anything, today’s story is one of grateful parents-to-be who seek God’s wise counsel for how to raise the child they are about to bring into the world.