Samson - Judges 13-16
Well hello there... Yeah, yeah, yeah... It has been a minute since the last post, but, surely you must have known I was not going to move from the tragic encounter that brought George Zimmerman and Trayvon Martin together at a crossroads that would lead to Trayvon's death and (eventually) George's arrest for killing him. The event was and is not only an unfortunate encounter for Trayvon and George, but it is also a sad and ugly reminder of the historical fear that most, if not all black men in America have to live with on a daily basis. So, again, I beg your pardon for the delay of this post, but guess what??? I ain't sorry. ;)
Now... Before I even get started, let me be clear! I DO NOT LIKE SAMSON! This is a warning and an apology in advance because I don't like him and so I didn't want to write about him, but, he's such a "big deal" in the bible and many of our formative years. So, here we go... I believe we left off somewhere in the middle of Judges, and right before we run into one of my favorite childhood characters, Samson. As I struggle with this, let's pick it up right there, because most of the other judges in the book of Judges, unlike Samson, are boring and of course did what was evil in the sight of the Lord. Oh, wait! There is one other noteworthy judge, Jephthah - who offered his daughter as a burnt offering to the Lord for his victory over the Ammonites. Crazy and disgusting I know, but you'll have to read about that on your own (Judges 11:29-40). Just to be clear, Samson is no different. His debauchery, however, is legendary. But before I get into that, come walk with me down memory lane. Yes, I had a childhood crush on Samson. You see, as a skinny, little, ugly, nappy-headed black girl in Lubbock, Texas, Samson was always described as this big ole long (luxurious) haired, good looking man! He had a back as big and as wide as the front door, a chest you could flick a quarter off of, legs and arms of steel and enough charm to trick any little girl out of her candy money, or any woman out of her -- well -- you know what I mean. As a full grown woman now, with my big girl panties on, and newly improved lenses and understanding (minus the rose color tint), Samson is a bit of a "hot mess." From the beginning until the end, he leaves much to be desired.
He, like many of the "heroes" of the bible (when we read it literally that is), has an exceptional birth. The narrative of his birth, like the narrative of the Virgin Mary, is visited by "the angel of the Lord," and is told, "Although you are barren, having borne no children you shall conceive and bear a son." The "barren old woman," is a theme that began with Abraham and Sarah. That them will pick up here and again and continue on throughout Israel's history. Likewise, the "special" male children with these miraculous births, each come with their very own "special" instructions. In Samson's case, the angel gives his mother instructions as to what she can and cannot do. You know, "no wine or strong drink, nor shall she eat anything unclean," and, "No razor is to come upon his [Samson's] head, for the boy shall be a Nazirite (one consecrated) to God from birth." All of this because the text states, "He will begin to deliver Israel from the hand of the Philistines" (13:1-5a).
Now, as you read on, you, like me, will bear witness to something that is often overlooked in the scriptures. That is the Wisdom of the women juxtaposed against the men. I'm not going to go into it, but you must read it for yourself and pay close attention to the communication between the mother and father when the father fears they are going to die for looking upon the angel of the Lord. There is also a very subtle reference to Deborah - you remember that queen "honey bee?" Umm hmph... Watch how they just drop that in. You'll also see a spoiled little boy growing up to become a rebellious and rambunctious youth, and an even greater menace to himself and others as he enters adulthood. He speaks to his mother and father as if they are his servants, he eats honey (there she is) from the carcass (unclean) of a lion that he is recorded to have killed on the way to get a wife from among the "Uncircumcised Philistines." He shares it with his mother and father without telling them where he got it from, then he goes about terrorizing the Philistines - ultimately resulting in the death of his first wife who was killed as a consequence of his abandonment, recklessness and murderous rampage (Chapters 13, 14)!
Now, as you read on, you, like me, will bear witness to something that is often overlooked in the scriptures. That is the Wisdom of the women juxtaposed against the men. I'm not going to go into it, but you must read it for yourself and pay close attention to the communication between the mother and father when the father fears they are going to die for looking upon the angel of the Lord. There is also a very subtle reference to Deborah - you remember that queen "honey bee?" Umm hmph... Watch how they just drop that in. You'll also see a spoiled little boy growing up to become a rebellious and rambunctious youth, and an even greater menace to himself and others as he enters adulthood. He speaks to his mother and father as if they are his servants, he eats honey (there she is) from the carcass (unclean) of a lion that he is recorded to have killed on the way to get a wife from among the "Uncircumcised Philistines." He shares it with his mother and father without telling them where he got it from, then he goes about terrorizing the Philistines - ultimately resulting in the death of his first wife who was killed as a consequence of his abandonment, recklessness and murderous rampage (Chapters 13, 14)!
Finally, what you've all been waiting for, the narrative of Samson and Delilah. Now I know you all have heard this story, but have you read this story? I mean really... Have you really READ this story? I doubt it, because if you have, then again, you, like me, would be looking at Samson and saying to him, in the same way Redd Foxx's character, Fred Sanford of Sanford and Son would have looked at and said to his son, Lamont frequently - "You big dummy!" C'mon now... Delilah, like his previous wife (although we don't know if she is an Israelite or Philistine), is approached by the the "lords of the Philistines," to find out where Samson gets his strength from. It is recorded on two separate occasions, Delilah inquires of Samson where his strength comes from. In both instances, he teases her and tells her a "tall tale." Each time she does to him, precisely what he has told her would make him weak, "and be like anyone else." Each time she calls for the lords of the Philistines to subdue him. And in what I find to be quite humorous, he breaks loose, making a mockery of her and those "Uncircumcised Philistines" that are trying to subdue and capture him. But, because she "pestered" him - I'm not even going to touch that - but let your mind run free - he tells her the truth and, we know the rest of the story (16:1-31).
Ok, I did it and I'm done. Can you tell I had a hard time with the post? Uuurrgghhh... I did! Briefly, here's an editors note: This narrative is a metaphor about the history of
Israel "whoring" after the gods of the neighboring peoples, and those groups under whose control they may have fallen under. It is also the place where "Promise" and "Fulfillment" is complete. That is to say, that even when they (Israel) did what was
evil in the sight of the the Lord, the Lord remembered the Promise made
to their ancestors and consequently fulfills it. I say that to say this; My childhood image of Samson has been replaced by the image of him as an adult, seeing clearly, making real the words; "When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child; When I became a [woman], I put an end to childish ways" (1 Corinthians 13:11). I pray you do the same. Peace!
©Dorinda G. Henry, 2012
THEOLOGIA HABITUS EST!
THEOLOGIA HABITUS EST!
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