Samson’s divine empowerment began in a humble camp and would lead him to confront a mighty enemy.
And the Spirit of the LORD began to stir him in Mahaneh-dan, between Zorah and Eshtaol (Judges 13:25). This verse describes the moment when God’s empowering presence became evident in Samson’s life, moving him toward his divine calling as a deliverer for Israel. Prior to this, an angel of the LORD had appeared to Samson’s parents, declaring that Samson would be set apart as a Nazirite from birth (Judges 13:5) and would “begin to deliver Israel from the hands of the Philistines.” The Spirit’s stirring marks the first visible sign that God was preparing Samson for a unique and powerful role.
Samson was from the tribe of Dan, one of Israel’s northernmost tribes, though originally assigned territory near the Philistine coast. Scripture testifies that “Samson was also from the tribe of Dan (Judges 13-16)”, and his Nazirite consecration signaled total dedication to the LORD’s service (Numbers 6). Unlike most Nazirites who took such vows temporarily, Samson was appointed by God to keep the vow for life (Judges 13:5). This divinely orchestrated background set the stage for his extraordinary feats of strength, which would not arise from human ability alone but from the power of the Spirit working within him.
Mahaneh-dan, literally “the camp of Dan,” lay between the towns of Zorah and Eshtaol, west of Jerusalem. The region’s proximity to Philistine-controlled areas would soon bring Samson face to face with Israel’s oppressors. By noting that the Spirit of the LORD stirred him here, Scripture emphasizes that Samson’s emergence as a judge and champion was initiated by God Himself. He was not self-appointed or merely a product of circumstance; rather, the LORD was orchestrating events so that Samson would act on behalf of His people.
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Judges 13:25 meaning
And the Spirit of the LORD began to stir him in Mahaneh-dan, between Zorah and Eshtaol (Judges 13:25). This verse describes the moment when God’s empowering presence became evident in Samson’s life, moving him toward his divine calling as a deliverer for Israel. Prior to this, an angel of the LORD had appeared to Samson’s parents, declaring that Samson would be set apart as a Nazirite from birth (Judges 13:5) and would “begin to deliver Israel from the hands of the Philistines.” The Spirit’s stirring marks the first visible sign that God was preparing Samson for a unique and powerful role.
Samson was from the tribe of Dan, one of Israel’s northernmost tribes, though originally assigned territory near the Philistine coast. Scripture testifies that “Samson was also from the tribe of Dan (Judges 13-16)”, and his Nazirite consecration signaled total dedication to the LORD’s service (Numbers 6). Unlike most Nazirites who took such vows temporarily, Samson was appointed by God to keep the vow for life (Judges 13:5). This divinely orchestrated background set the stage for his extraordinary feats of strength, which would not arise from human ability alone but from the power of the Spirit working within him.
Mahaneh-dan, literally “the camp of Dan,” lay between the towns of Zorah and Eshtaol, west of Jerusalem. The region’s proximity to Philistine-controlled areas would soon bring Samson face to face with Israel’s oppressors. By noting that the Spirit of the LORD stirred him here, Scripture emphasizes that Samson’s emergence as a judge and champion was initiated by God Himself. He was not self-appointed or merely a product of circumstance; rather, the LORD was orchestrating events so that Samson would act on behalf of His people.