Judges 16:28

And Samson called unto the Lord, and said, O Lord God, remember me, I pray thee, and strengthen me, I pray thee, only this once, O God, that I may be at once avenged of the Philistines for my two eyes.

Judges 16:28 (KJV)

Context

Judges 16 tells the story of Samson, a judge of Israel. God had given him supernatural strength, but he was also known for his weakness with women. He loved a Philistine woman named Delilah, whom the Philistine rulers bribed to discover the secret of his strength. When Samson finally told her, she betrayed him. The Philistines captured him, gouged out his eyes, and forced him to grind grain in prison.

Later, the Philistines held a great feast to honor their god Dagon, crediting him for their victory over Samson. They brought Samson out of prison to entertain them. It was then, in the temple of Dagon, that Samson prayed this desperate prayer. His cry to the Lord directly answered the Philistines’ boast that their god had defeated Israel’s God.

Meaning

Samson called upon the Lord using the covenant name Yahweh, addressing Him as “Lord GOD,” a title of sovereign authority. He asked God to remember him and to strengthen him “only this once.” The phrase shows urgency and finality; Samson knew this was his last opportunity. He requested to be avenged of the Philistines for his two eyes, revealing that his motive was personal vengeance for the humiliation he had suffered.

Despite his past mistakes and his imperfect motive, God heard Samson’s prayer. The narrative records that God strengthened him, and Samson pushed apart the pillars of the temple, causing it to collapse and kill himself and thousands of Philistines. This event began to deliver Israel from Philistine oppression, though it cost Samson his life.

Samson’s prayer demonstrates that God responds to desperate prayer, even from a flawed and compromised judge. It also shows that God can accomplish His purposes through human instruments, even when their motives are mixed. The address “Lord GOD” affirms that God alone has the power and authority to act.

Biblical connections

Samson’s final act stands in contrast to the Philistines’ claim that Dagon had delivered him into their hands. His prayer is a direct counter to that pagan boast, calling upon the true God of Israel. The broader narrative of Judges shows a cycle of Israel’s disobedience, oppression, and cries for help, and God’s raising up judges to deliver them. Samson’s prayer fits this pattern, as God responds to his cry and uses him to strike a blow against Israel’s enemies.

Application

This verse teaches that even in our lowest moments, we can turn to God in prayer. Samson had lost his strength, his sight, and his freedom, yet he still called upon the Lord. We can learn to acknowledge God’s sovereignty and seek His strength, humbly recognizing our own weakness. When we face injustice or betrayal, we can bring our concerns to God, asking for His guidance and intervention.

However, Samson’s request for vengeance also prompts us to examine our own motives. While seeking justice is not wrong, Jesus taught forgiveness and turning the other cheek. In our prayers, we should seek to align our desires with God’s will, asking Him to purify our hearts and to act in ways that honor Him.

Reflection

Samson’s prayer reminds us that God is willing to hear us even when we have failed. His grace reaches into our desperation and weakness. Yet it also challenges us to consider what we ask for and why. God’s answer to Samson was not a general endorsement of revenge, but a specific response within Israel’s conflict with the Philistines. As we pray, we can trust that God hears, and we can ask Him to shape our desires to match His righteous purposes.