Judges 16:5
And the lords of the Philistines came up unto her, and said unto her, Entice him, and see wherein his great strength lieth, and by what means we may prevail against him, that we may bind him to afflict him: and we will give thee every one of us eleven hundred pieces of silver.
Judges 16:5 (KJV)
Context
The Philistine lords, the rulers of their five main cities, came together to approach Delilah. They saw Samson as a serious threat and wanted to stop him. Their plan was not open battle but deception, using someone close to him. This was a coordinated, official conspiracy, not a random act.
Meaning
The word “lords” translates a Hebrew term for Philistine city-rulers, showing this was an official plot. Their command “Entice him” reveals they depended on Delilah’s intimate access to Samson. They did not understand that his strength came from God; they thought it was a secret they could extract. The offer of eleven hundred pieces of silver from each ruler was a huge bribe, showing how much they valued subduing him. Their goal was not just capture but affliction—humiliation and suffering—demonstrating their malice.
Biblical connections
Samson’s strength was a gift from God for delivering Israel, as seen earlier in Judges. The Philistines’ aim was to “afflict him,” meaning humiliation and suffering. This verse foreshadows how compromise with the enemy leads to downfall, a warning echoed throughout Scripture. The narrative contrasts the Philistines’ view of strength with the truth that true power comes from God alone.
Application
This passage warns against the gradual erosion of faithfulness through persistent pressure and the lure of material gain. Delilah’s greed clouded her judgment, leading to betrayal. Believers today must guard against forming alliances that oppose God’s purposes and resist temptations that promise reward but bring ruin. The enemy often uses close relationships and attractive offers to weaken our resolve.
Reflection
True strength does not lie in personal prowess or secret formulas but in God alone. Even those chosen by God can be vulnerable when they neglect their sacred commitments. This verse calls for honest self-examination about where we place our trust and what we value most. It reminds us that moral vulnerability can become the enemy’s opportunity.
