Strength, betrayal, blindness, and Samson’s final act

“Then went Samson to Gaza, and saw there an harlot, and went in unto her.” Naming Gaza and Samson keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And it was told the Gazites, saying, Samson is come hither. And they compassed him in, and laid wait for him all night…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And Samson lay till midnight, and arose at midnight, and took the doors of the gate of the city, and the two posts…” The number two makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And it came to pass afterward, that he loved a woman in the valley of Sorek, whose name was Delilah.” This familiar narrative signal moves the clock forward. What follows is a new scene, consequence, or answer to an earlier tension.

“And the lords of the Philistines came up unto her, and said unto her, Entice him, and see wherein his great strength…” The number one makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And Delilah said to Samson, Tell me, I pray thee, wherein thy great strength lieth, and wherewith thou mightest be…” Naming Delilah and Samson keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And Samson said unto her, If they bind me with seven green withs that were never dried, then shall I be weak, and be…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“Then the lords of the Philistines brought up to her seven green withs which had not been dried, and she bound him with…” The number seven makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“Now there were men lying in wait, abiding with her in the chamber. And she said unto him, The Philistines be upon…” Naming Philistines and Samson keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And Delilah said unto Samson, Behold, thou hast mocked me, and told me lies: now tell me, I pray thee, wherewith thou…” Naming Delilah and Samson keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And he said unto her, If they bind me fast with new ropes that never were occupied, then shall I be weak, and be as…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“Delilah therefore took new ropes, and bound him therewith, and said unto him, The Philistines be upon thee, Samson…” Naming Delilah and Philistines keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And Delilah said unto Samson, Hitherto thou hast mocked me, and told me lies: tell me wherewith thou mightest be…” The number seven makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And she fastened it with the pin, and said unto him, The Philistines be upon thee, Samson. And he awaked out of his…” Naming Philistines and Samson keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And she said unto him, How canst thou say, I love thee, when thine heart is not with me? thou hast mocked me these…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“And it came to pass, when she pressed him daily with her words, and urged him, so that his soul was vexed unto death;” This familiar narrative signal moves the clock forward. What follows is a new scene, consequence, or answer to an earlier tension.

“That he told her all his heart, and said unto her, There hath not come a razor upon mine head; for I have been a…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And when Delilah saw that he had told her all his heart, she sent and called for the lords of the Philistines, saying…” Naming Philistines and Come keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And she made him sleep upon her knees; and she called for a man, and she caused him to shave off the seven locks of…” The number seven makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And she said, The Philistines be upon thee, Samson. And he awoke out of his sleep, and said, I will go out as at other…” Naming Philistines and Samson keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“But the Philistines took him, and put out his eyes, and brought him down to Gaza, and bound him with fetters of brass…” Naming Gaza and Philistines keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Howbeit the hair of his head began to grow again after he was shaven.” Naming Howbeit keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Then the lords of the Philistines gathered them together for to offer a great sacrifice unto Dagon their god, and to…” Naming Dagon and Our keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And when the people saw him, they praised their god: for they said, Our god hath delivered into our hands our enemy…” Naming Our keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And it came to pass, when their hearts were merry, that they said, Call for Samson, that he may make us sport. And…” This familiar narrative signal moves the clock forward. What follows is a new scene, consequence, or answer to an earlier tension.

“And Samson said unto the lad that held him by the hand, Suffer me that I may feel the pillars whereupon the house…” Naming Samson and Suffer keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Now the house was full of men and women; and all the lords of the Philistines were there; and there were upon the roof…” The number three makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And Samson called unto the LORD , and said, O Lord GOD , remember me, I pray thee, and strengthen me, I pray thee…” The number two makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And Samson took hold of the two middle pillars upon which the house stood, and on which it was borne up, of the one…” The number two makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And Samson said, Let me die with the Philistines. And he bowed himself with all his might; and the house fell upon the…” Naming Philistines and Samson keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Then his brethren and all the house of his father came down, and took him, and brought him up, and buried him between…” The number twenty makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.