Samson (may 26, 1062 BC – dec 20, 1042 BC)

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Judges 13-16

Samson was from the tribe of Dan. An angel appeared to his father, Manoah, and instructed him to never shave Smson's head, because he was to be a Nazarite (for more on Nazarites, see Numbers 6:1-21).

The Israelites had fallen into the hands of the Philistines. Samson was destined to deliver Israel from them, famously killing a thousand Philistine's with the jawbone of a donkey.

He led Israel as judge for 20 years.

Samson married a Philistine woman named Delilah, who betrayed him a number of times. She coaxed and pressed Samson for an answer to his riddle in order to help her fellow countrymen. She also revealed to them the reason for Samson's strength, cut his hair and handed him over to be captured.

Samson's eyes were gouged out and he was forced to work in a grain mill. As a prisoner, his hair began to grow, and he regained his strength. He was brought to the Temple of Dagon to be paraded around. He asked to rest against a pillar, and used his last bit of strength to bring the temple down on himself and thousands more Philistines.

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