“And it came to pass, when their hearts were merry, that they said, Call for Samson, that he may make us sport. And they called for Samson out of the prison house; and he made them sport: and they set him between the pillars.”
This verse is found in the book of Judges:which chronicles the period of Israel’s history after the death of Joshua and before the establishment of the monarchy under King Saul and King David. During this time, Israel was governed by a series of judges, individuals whom God raised up to deliver the Israelites from their oppressors.
In the context of Judges 16:the chapter focuses on the story of Samson, who was one of the judges chosen by God. Samson was granted supernatural strength by the Lord, which he used to combat the Philistines, a recurring enemy of the Israelites.
Verse 25 takes place after Samson’s capture by the Philistines. They had managed to overpower him through the treachery of his lover, Delilah, who had discovered the secret of his strength and betrayed him. The Philistines imprisoned Samson, intending to humiliate and mock him publicly.
The verse states that while the hearts of the Philistines were merry, or joyful, they decided to call for Samson to entertain them. They wanted to make a spectacle of him and enjoy his humiliation. Despite his captivity, Samson was still considered a threat to the Philistines due to his past exploits against them.
When Samson was brought out of the prison house, he performed for the Philistines, becoming the object of their amusement. It is important to note that the exact nature of the “sport” or entertainment that Samson provided is not explicitly mentioned in this verse. However, the subsequent verses describe how Samson’s hair had regrown, symbolizing the restoration of his strength, and how he ultimately used this opportunity to bring about the downfall of the Philistines.
This verse serves as a turning point in Samson’s story, leading to the climax of his life. It sets the stage for the events that follow, where Samson, positioned between two pillars, prays to God for strength one last time and pushes the pillars, causing the entire Philistine temple to collapse, killing both himself and thousands of Philistines. In his death, Samson achieved a great victory for Israel and delivered them from the oppression of their enemies.
The story of Samson, including the events in Judges 16:25:highlights themes of redemption, faithfulness, and the consequences of disobedience. It emphasizes the importance of staying true to one’s calling and the power of God to use even the weakest individuals for His purposes.
