But before long, his hair began to grow back. One day, the Philistine tyrants celebrated a great festival to offer extravagant sacrifices to their god, Dagon. They praised Dagon, saying, “Our god has given us victory! Dagon has subdued our strong enemy Samson!” When the people saw their idol, they too joined in the praises, saying, “Our god has delivered our enemy to us! The one who devastated our country and piled our corpses high!” By now, the people were getting drunk and demanded, “Bring out Samson and let him dance for us!” So he was brought from the prison to amuse them, and they displayed him between the main pillars that supported their temple. Blind Samson said to the young servant who was leading him by the hand, “Let go of me and let me feel the pillars that hold up the temple. I want to lean against them.” The temple was completely packed with people. All the Philistine rulers were there, and there were some three thousand men and women in the balcony watching as Samson provided them some amusement. Then Samson prayed to YAHWEH, “Lord YAHWEH, please remember me again. O God, impart your strength to me just one more time. With one blow let me take revenge on the Philistines for gouging out my eyes.” Then Samson reached toward the two center pillars that held up the temple, his left hand on one and his right hand on the other, and he prayed, “Let me die with the Philistines.” Then with all his might, with both hands he pushed against the pillars, and the temple came crashing down on the Philistine rulers and all the people. So Samson killed more enemies through his death than in his entire lifetime. Then his brothers and entire family went down to Gaza to get his body. They brought him back home and buried him between Zorah and Eshtaol, next to his father, Manoah. Samson had led Israel for twenty years.
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Compare All Versions: Judges 16:22-31
4 Days
Caterpillars turn into butterflies… Tadpoles turn into frogs... Kittens turn into villains plotting our demise… Transformation happens all around us! When we choose to follow Jesus, He changes EVERYTHING, especially our thoughts. Join in as we explore how God helps us take control of our thinking when we choose to trust in Him.
5 Days
“ Waiting”- I don’t know about you, but I become irate when I must wait. It’s at this time I realize just how low my patience level is. As children of God, it sometimes becomes even more frustrating when we must wait for something we have been praying for because God the Father has tremendous patience and it’s a characteristic he wants each of us to develop. Waiting can be our friend, or it can be our foe, it can be positive or negative, it can be joyous, or it can be full of sorrow; ultimately the choice is yours.
5 days
The Essential 100® Bible Challenge is a simple tool to read through the Big Story of God's Word. The reading plan is based on 50 Old Testament and 50 New Testament passages. Continue with the sixth part "The Judges." ®Produced by American Bible Society in partnership with Scripture Union, Inc.
Are you nearing the end of a phase in your life or work? How can you ensure that you don't make poor choices and damage your legacy? Heed Israel's notorious strong-man, judge Samson, who ended up falling asleep in Delilah's lap, and learn how to preserve your relationships with God and others. It's never too late - or too early - to start finishing well.
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