Samson is one of the more intriguing of the personalities in the Bible. His personality consists of both human and supernatural elements.

He lived in the time period between the Children of Israel occupied the land and before the time of the kings of Israel. During the time that he lived, there was a cultural war between the Philistines and the Children of Israel. Prior to his lifetime, the Children of Israel had experienced servitude to the Egyptians, Moabites, Midianites, Canaanites and during his life, the Philistines. With each of the previous servitude experiences, a deliverer arose and provided a means of escape.

Samson was born during one of these cycles of servitude and deliverance. During his lifetime, the oppressive culture was that of the Philistines. The animosity existing between the two cultures was intense. Their religions and cultures were vastly different. The influence of the Philistine culture with their worship of fertility gods, and weather gods had spread its influence even to the Children of Israel. The extreme sexuality of the Philistine culture had in many ways corrupted the values of many of the Children of Israel along with their priesthood.

Samson was born to parents who had previously been childless. There was special providence regarding his birth, with prenatal instructions being given to them by an angel. Since he was an only child, he was given pampering. In modern terms we would call him spoiled. He was used to obtaining what he wanted. On top of being spoiled, he never had his hair cut, so he was typical of the spoiled children who never have their locks shorn.

When he became a man, he was intrigued by a woman of the oppressing culture. Despite his parents advising against his marrying her, he insisted. Like the spoiled child, he sent his parents to work out the wedding deal with the girl’s parents. At the wedding, the girl’s parents hired 30 men to act as friends of the groom. In a wedding day wager, Samson tested wits with the local Philistines. These local Philistines hoodlums then made death threats against his new wife. They also put a guilt trip on her concerning her loyalty to them above her loyalty to her new husband. Samson’s wife, who had been whining and crying for several days finally wore him down. Samson gave into his wife’s tears and provided her with the answer to the riddle he posed to the Philistines. The wife relayed the answer to the 30 Philistine hoodlums. The Philistines in turn, beat Samson with his riddle.

In what seemed to be a fit of anger, Samson went down to the coast, several miles away. It is not clear if he was upset with the wife, being beaten at gambling or looking like a fool. For whatever reason, his passions were unleashed. While in the coastal town, he killed 30 men and relieved them of their cloaks. He took the 30 changes of clothing and cloaks back in order to pay his gambling debts from his riddle wager.

Just when one would think things were settled down, the bride’s parents ended up giving her in marriage to one of the Philistines they had hired to attend the wedding. This was more than Samson could take. In response to this insult, he came up with a creative solution. He captured 300 foxes (or jackals). He tied the foxes together with a torch between their tails and set them loose on the crops. The damage was widespread. Wheat, corn, olives, and other crops of the Philistines were utterly destroyed. (Think about the damage 300 foxes with torches could do). The local Philistines rose up in anger and burned his former wife, her father and family within their home. (I am always amazed how in the thug mentality, they want to hurt the innocent people rather the one who they are really mad at). Apparently they were afraid of Samson and what he was capable of.

He went on to accomplish more in his life, with continued creativity, passion and machismo. Samson represents a person who was driven by his passions, yet despite his passions, God was able to accomplish many things through him. He was scared of no one. When he finally was captured, they had 1000 men guarding him, which shows their level of intimidation. Samson always found creative solutions to problems, and went for the things he set his heart to. He was not always the most admirable of men, yet he does show what one man can accomplish. He shows the value of the individual and the deliverance that one man can accomplish. He was the original “Fear This” of his day.

Samson was a man of controversy in life as well as afterwards. Even today, he has inspired sculptors, and musicians through the ages. There is debate as to whether or not he was a real person of merely an archetype. The proverbial man with the 'bad boy' image being found attractive by women still exists. Consider for a moment whether or not Delilah considered that the man whose head was in her lap had killed over 1000 of her countrymen single handedly. He was not someone to be toyed with, yet she toyed with him and found him attractive.

There are also many comparisons between Samson and Heracles. Some critics claim that Samson was a retelling of Heracles and other critics claim it is the other way around. Both characters have episodes of killing a lion with their bare hands and other feats of phenomenal strength.

Whether or not one accepts that Samson lived among us, it is clear that his name continues serving as inspiration for anything that has phenomenal power and strength. These are some of the reasons why I find the life and personality of Samson fascinating.