The last judge but one, Samson, was not the most important of the
judges, but he was the greatest hero of the period and, except Goliath,
the greatest hero of all times. He was the son of Manoah of the tribe
of Dan, and his wife Zelalponit (111) of the tribe of Judah, (112) and
he was born to them at a time when they had given up all hope of having
children. Samson's birth is a striking illustration of the
shortsightedness of human beings. The judge Ibzan had not invited
Manoah and Zelalponit to any of the one hundred and twenty feasts in
honor of the marriage of his sixty children, which were celebrated at
his house and at the house of their parents-in-law, because he thought
that "the sterile she-mule" would never be in a position to repay his
courtesy. It turned out that Samson's parents were blessed with an
extraordinary son, while Ibzan saw his sixty children die during his
lifetime. (113)
Samson's strength was superhuman, (114) and the dimensions of his body
were gigantic he measured sixty ells between the shoulders. Yet he
had one imperfection, he was maimed in both feet. (115) The first
evidence of his gigantic strength he gave when he uprooted two great
mountains, and rubbed them against each other. Such feats he was able
to perform as often as the spirit of God was poured out over him.
Whenever this happened, it was indicated by his hair. In began to move
and emit a bell-like sound, which could be heard far off. Besides,
while the spirit rested upon him, he was able with one stride to cover
a distance equal to that between Zorah and Eshtaol. (116) It was
Samson's supernatural strength that made Jacob think that he would be
the Messiah. When God showed him Samson's latter end, then he realized
that the new era would not be ushered in by the hero-judge. (117)
Samson won his first victory over the Philistines by means of the
jawbone of the ass on which Abraham had made his way to Mount Moriah.
It had been preserved miraculously. (118) After this victory a great
wonder befell. Samson was at the point of perishing from thirst, when
water began to flow from his own mouth as from a spring. (119)
Besides physical prowess, Samson possessed also spiritual distinctions.
He was unselfish to the last degree. He had been of exceeding great
help to the Israelites, but he never asked the smallest service for
himself. (120) When Samson told Delilah that he was a "Nazarite unto
God," she was certain that he had divulged the true secret of his
strength. She knew his character too well to entertain the idea that he
would couple the name of God with an untruth. There was a weak side to
his character, too. He allowed sensual pleasures to dominate him. The
consequences was that "he who went astray after his eyes, lost his
eyes." Even this severe punishment produced no change of heart. He
continued to lead his old life of profligacy in prison, and he was
encouraged thereto by the Philistines, who set aside all considerations
of family purity in the hope of descendants who should be the equals of
Samson in giant strength and stature. (121)
As throughout life Samson had given proofs of superhuman power, so in
the moment of death. He entreated God to realize in him the blessing of
Jacob, (122) and endow him with Divine strength. (123) He expired with
these words upon his lips: "O Master of the world! Vouchsafe unto me in
this life a recompense for the loss of one of my eyes. For the loss of
the other I will wait to be rewarded in the world to come." Even after
his death Samson was a shield unto the Israelites. Fear of him had so
cowed the Philistines that for twenty years they did not dare attack
the Israelites. (124)