Joshua 16
Judges 16 vividly records what happens in Samson’s final life and his relationship with the Philistines. This chapter includes Samson’s weakness, his meeting with the Philistine woman, and the final events that lead to his arrest and death, revealing the source of his strength.
1verseThe lot came out for the children of Joseph from the Jordan at Jericho, at the waters of Jericho on the east, even the wilderness, going up from Jericho through the hill country to Bethel.
2verseIt went out from Bethel to Luz, and passed along to the border of the Archites to Ataroth;
3verseand it went down westward to the border of the Japhletites, to the border of Beth Horon the lower, and on to Gezer; and ended at the sea.
4verseThe children of Joseph, Manasseh and Ephraim, took their inheritance.
5verseThis was the border of the children of Ephraim according to their families. The border of their inheritance eastward was Ataroth Addar, to Beth Horon the upper.
6verseThe border went out westward at Michmethath on the north. The border turned about eastward to Taanath Shiloh, and passed along it on the east of Janoah.
7verseIt went down from Janoah to Ataroth, to Naarah, reached to Jericho, and went out at the Jordan.
8verseFrom Tappuah the border went along westward to the brook of Kanah; and ended at the sea. This is the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Ephraim according to their families;
9versetogether with the cities which were set apart for the children of Ephraim in the middle of the inheritance of the children of Manasseh, all the cities with their villages.
10verseThey didn’t drive out the Canaanites who lived in Gezer; but the Canaanites dwell in the territory of Ephraim to this day, and have become servants to do forced labor.
Structure and Flow
- Verses 1-3: Samson meets a prostitute in Gaza and is chased by Philistine people, but he escapes using the city’s gate doors.
- Verses 4-22: Samson’s relationship with Delilah begins, and Delilah repeatedly tries to uncover Samson’s secret of strength. In the end, Samson loses his strength when his hair is cut, is taken captive, and his eyes are gouged out.
- Verses 23-31: When the Philistines mock Samson in the temple, Samson offers his final prayer to God. He then brings down the temple, dying together with many Philistines.
Overall Meaning
Samson’s life began under God’s special calling (as a Nazirite), but because of his personal weakness and temptation, his abilities are put in jeopardy. Even so, Samson remembers his mission in the final moments and ends his life while calling on God. This shows that God’s work can be accomplished even within human frailty.
Points for Reflection
- Samson repeatedly reveals his weakness, but in the end he turns back to God. Consider what repeated weakness you have in your own life, and when you relied on God within that weakness.
- It would also be good to reflect on the source of the gifts or abilities we have, like Samson, and on how we are using them.
Try Applying It to Yourself
- In the face of life’s difficulties or temptation, let’s strive to look at the situation from God’s perspective rather than responding immediately.
- I hope this week will be one in which we actually put into practice ways to use the talents and strength we have in a healthy manner for the community and for God.
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