Samson, Nazirite unto God, could have been so much more than he was, but he compromised to the lust of the flesh over and over again, until it finally destroyed him.  Chapter 16 begins with Samson visiting a harlot in Gaza, which has no real value to the story, except that it shows the condition of his heart and his walk with the Lord.  He was still living to please his own desires.  He then runs into Delilah, who makes him “impatient to the point of death” (v16), so that he gives in to her requests and reveals all that is in his heart.  Interesting cross reference here to Proverbs 4:23: “Guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life”.  He does not and it costs him his life.  Another interesting cross reference would be Proverbs 7: 27: “Her house is the way to Sheol, descending to the chambers of death.”  I’ve experienced a brush with death due to my own wanderings “into her path”.  Just as Judas did to Jesus, she sells him out for money (v18).  She had just nagged and pleaded with him about his own lack of love, and then she turns around and betrays him for money.  Like a lion tamer, she is the only one who can control his great strength (v19); she makes him lie on her lap and sleep.  Notice how time and again, Samson resists her pleas, but temptation will never give up until we remove ourselves from its presence.

Then begins the part of the story that I think is really interesting.  Samson is brought low.  He goes from strongest man with his pick among women and respect from men, to blind and helpless being led about by a boy.  His only purpose is a circus act, left to amuse the Philistines.  Moses was brought to this place at the well in Midian.  He was stripped of his Egyptian royalty, rejected as deliverer and leader of Israel, and left with only his Egyptian clothes in the middle of the wilderness.  Peter was brought low at Jesus’ trial.  The man for which he had given up everything was about to die, he had been accused of being with him, and had rejected Christ three times.  Paul was left blind on the road to Damascus.  God can deal with proud men, and use them for great things, but only after they are set right in humility.  He will bring as low as necessary for as long as it takes to change our hearts.