“Then his brethren and all the house of his father came down, and took him, and brought him up, and buried him between Zorah and Eshtaol in the buryingplace of Manoah his father. And he judged Israel twenty years.”
This verse concludes the account of Samson, one of the judges of Israel:Samson was a Nazirite, chosen by God to deliver the Israelites from the oppression of the Philistines. Judges 16 recounts the story of Samson’s downfall due to his weakness for women, particularly his relationship with Delilah.
In the preceding verses, Samson reveals the secret of his strength to Delilah, who eventually betrays him to the Philistines. They capture Samson, blind him, and imprison him in Gaza. While in prison, his hair, symbolizing his Nazirite vow, starts to grow back. The Philistines decide to bring him to their temple to entertain them.
In the midst of the festivities, Samson requests to lean against the pillars supporting the temple. He prays to God for strength one last time and asks for revenge against the Philistines for his eyes. God grants his request, and Samson, with renewed strength, pushes against the pillars, causing the entire temple to collapse, killing himself and thousands of Philistines.
Now let’s focus on Judges 16:31 specifically:After Samson’s victorious act, his relatives and the members of his father’s household come down to the ruins of the fallen temple. They retrieve his body, bring him up from the wreckage, and give him a proper burial between Zorah and Eshtaol, in the burying place of his father Manoah.
The verse also states that Samson had judged Israel:for twenty years. Despite his personal failings, Samson was chosen by God to deliver Israel from the oppression of the Philistines. He exhibited great strength and carried out several notable feats during his tenure as a judge.
The burial of Samson signifies the end of his story and the closure of a chapter in Israel’s history:Samson’s life serves as a cautionary tale, illustrating the consequences of succumbing to personal weaknesses and disregarding one’s vows to God.
In summary, Judges 16:31 recounts the burial of Samson and reminds us of his significant role as a judge of Israel:It encourages us to reflect on the importance of remaining faithful to our commitments and the potential consequences of straying from God’s path.
