Judge · Old Testament
The Story of Samson
Also: Samsoni (Kiswahili)
Nazirite judge of great strength who fought the Philistines.
Editorial text in English. Scripture is quoted from the version you choose; references stay the same in every version.
Introduction
The angel of the LORD announced Samson's birth to Manoah's wife and said he would be a Nazirite who would begin to save Israel from the Philistines. Judges 13:2–5Judges 13:24
The Spirit of the LORD came on him with great strength. Delilah learned the secret of his strength, and the Philistines captured and blinded him. In his death he brought down the temple of Dagon. Judges 14:6Judges 16:4–21Judges 16:28–30
Told in: Judges
Life at a glance
- Father
- Manoah of the tribe of Dan Judges 13:2
- Vow
- A Nazirite from birth Judges 13:5
- Judged Israel
- Twenty years Judges 16:31
Only what Scripture records. Where the Bible is silent, nothing is filled in.
Follow the life of Samson
Events in the order Scripture presents them. Expand an event to read its passage here, or open the chapter in the reader.
Birth announced
The angel of the LORD appears to Manoah's barren wife and then to Manoah, foretelling a son who will be a Nazirite.
The woman of Timnah
Judges 14:1–20 · Judges 15:1–20
Samson kills a lion, sets a riddle at his wedding, and fights the Philistines when his wife is given to another.
More about this event
Places named: Timnah, Lehi
Samson and Delilah
Delilah repeatedly asks the secret of his strength; when his hair is cut, the Philistines seize him, blind him and make him grind in prison.
More about this event
Places named: Gaza
Death in the temple of Dagon
Brought out to entertain the Philistines, Samson prays for strength and pushes down the pillars, killing more in his death than in his life.
Mentioned across the Bible
Later passages that recall, mention or interpret Samson. These are not new events in the person’s lifetime.
Later recollection
Family and relationships
- ManoahFatherJudges 13:24
- DelilahBetrayed him to the PhilistinesJudges 16:18
Books associated with Samson
- Judges Their story appears here
A book named after someone is not necessarily written by them. Authorship traditions are shown as traditions.
Themes and study
Study prompts written by BibleKenya editors. They are not Scripture.
- What does Samson pray in Judges 16:28?
Read offline
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