Judges 13:24

Then the woman gave birth to a son and named him Samson; and the child grew up and the LORD blessed him. (v.24)

In the Book of Judges, we read that God miraculously foretold Samson’s birth before it happened, sharing His plans that Samson would begin to deliver the Israelites from the Philistines (Judges 13:5). Here in Judges 13:24, the scripture tells us, “Then the woman gave birth to a son and named him Samson; and the child grew up and the LORD blessed him.” (v.24) Samson’s mother, the text says, was pledged to observe special conditions for him even from the womb, which was part of the Nazirite vow God appointed for her future son (Judges 13:5, Numbers 6:1-5). This vow, typically voluntary and for a set period, was to last Samson’s entire life, meaning he would keep certain external signs (such as uncut hair) to set him apart. Although we do not know the exact place of his birth, Judges 13:2 mentions that his father Manoah was from the tribe of Dan, located between Judah and Ephraim, not far from Philistine territory. Historically, Samson lived during the later period of the judges, roughly somewhere around 1100–1050 BC, after Joshua’s conquering of Canaan and before Israel’s first king was installed. The phrase, “the LORD blessed him,” highlights how Samson’s strength and leadership had divine backing. Samson’s unique life and mighty deeds, such as defeating a thousand Philistines with the jawbone of a donkey, were accomplished because the Spirit of the LORD empowered him (Judges 15:15, 14:6). Yet these actions foreshadow how God can use humble and even flawed individuals to carry out His purposes.

Spiritually, this verse serves as an example of God intervening in Israel’s history to rescue them from oppression. Samson, like other judges, acted as a deliverer for God’s people, but Samson’s story also looks ahead to the ultimate Deliverer. Just as Israel needed a faithful judge to enact physical deliverance, the New Testament reveals our need for a perfect Savior, Jesus Christ (Luke 1:30-33). Samson’s miraculous announcement and birth find parallels in the New Testament with the birth announcement of John the Baptist and of Jesus Himself (Luke 1:11-20, 1:26-38), signifying that God’s plan for salvation and redemption is always beyond ordinary human means. The child we read about here is under the blessing of the same God who later sends His Son to bring spiritual deliverance from sin.

Then the woman gave birth to a son and named him Samson; and the child grew up and the LORD blessed him. (v.24) This single sentence concludes the chapter with the fulfillment of the promise God gave earlier in Judges 13, emphasizing the faithfulness and power of God to bring about His plans. Though Samson’s story is marked by both divinely granted feats and personal failings, his life demonstrates that God can orchestrate His purpose even amid human weakness. In doing so, He preserves His covenant people, bringing them deliverance at appointed times, and teaching them—and us—to rely on Him as Redeemer and Lord.

Samson’s birth marks one of the extraordinary moments in Scripture when God singles out an individual from before conception, echoing the lesson that He remains sovereign over history and personal destiny. His being “blessed” by God shows that whatever successes Samson achieved were attributed to God’s grace, power, and promise. In our own lives, we can glean that God, who worked through Samson’s miraculous birth and extraordinary strength, remains able to work powerfully through anyone who is set apart for His will and, ultimately, points the way to Christ.

Samson was chosen to be a deliverer—one among many judges raised by God to lead during a tumultuous time in Israel’s history.

Samson’s birth taught Israel that God’s might arises in unexpected ways, fulfilling His promises even through a child under a special vow.

Short one-sentence summary: Samson’s birth was divinely orchestrated and he was blessed by the Lord, setting him apart as Israel’s destined deliverer.