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The account of Samson, the strongman of ancient Israel is well-known. Yet what was so important about the Nazirite vow, which partly involved no haircuts, he and his mother were made to take? Who is God’s mystery angel named Wonderful and God-like.
Why was Samson (Strong’s No. 8123, derived from No. 8121) made a Nazirite from his conception? [See Numbers 6 for a description of the vow.]
What is the history of Yiftakh (Jephthah)? [See the study on Judges 11.] What is the significance of Yiftakh and his ancestors as outcasts? Why was he an outcast among the Gideonites?
From which tribes were Gideon and Yiftakh? How were their experiences with calling upon Ephraim for help during battle similar? How were they different? How were the two men different in their diplomacy of working with Ephraim? Why would Ephraim have a quarrel with Manasseh? How is this related to the blessings Ya’akov (Jacob) gave to his 12 sons?
Who was Ibzan of Bethlehem? When you have a son and inheritance goes through sons? What is the significance of the fact that the bible also mentions his daughters? Is there any significance to the fact that he made sure his sons and daughters married outside his tribe?
The only thing we know about Ebon of Zebulunite is that he judged Israel for 10 years and buried in the tribal land of Zebulon.
Abdon the son of Hillel the Pirathonite is the last judge discussed in Judges 12. We are told that he had 40 sons and 30 grandsons who rode on 70 colts. What is that important?
Judges 13 introduces us to Samson via his parents.
How does the time period the Philistines occupied Israel and the time period of Samson’s judgeship unique in history?
What kind of judge was Samson?
Why isn’t Manoah’s wife’s name mentioned? What type does Manoah’s wife represent?
Why did God want the land of Israel to be saved from the Philistines before this time? Why is Samson the first judged called to deal with the Philistines? What was the deal between Abraham/Isaac and the King of Abimelech of Gaza?
How is this area, the modern Gaza strip, still under the deal Abraham struck?
Why didn’t Samson’s mother mention he would deliver Israel from Philistia? How is this related to Samson’s name?
Why did the Melech Yahweh return to the mothers? Why doesn’t the Melech Yahweh tell Manoah about Samson’s mission to deliver Israel from Philistia? How is this connected later to Manoah’s choice of a wife for Samson and the son’s mission?
What is so significant about the fact that Manoah and his wife wanted to honor the messenger of God? How did people honor prophets when the prophesy came true? Why is this account of Manoah and his wife recorded? Why doesn’t the story just start after Samson was born? What is unique about these two people? What is Manoah’s faith looking at his reaction to the messengers miraculous departure in the smoke?
Read Haggai 2:5. How is God’s spirit’s work in the life of Samson periodically different with the declining character of judges? How prominent were Samson and his parents? What does this say about God?
Reader: Jeff. Speaker: Daniel Agee.