Judges 16:14
In this passage, we see Delilah intensifying her scheme to uncover the true source of Samson’s supernatural strength. The text says that *“So while he slept, Delilah took the seven locks of his hair and wove them into the web. And she fastened it with the pin and said to him, ‘The Philistines are upon you, Samson!’ But he awoke from his sleep and pulled out the pin of the loom and the web.”* (v.14) Delilah, presumably from the Philistine territory in the valley of Sorek, places Samson in a precarious position by physically entangling his hair as another attempt to betray him. What follows is another failure by Delilah to surpass Samson’s seemingly boundless strength and discover his secret.
Samson, an Israelite judge in the historical timeline around the 12th century B.C., was set apart to God since before his birth (Judges 13:3–5). His long hair was emblematic of a Nazirite vow—a vow given by God that assured extraordinary power for delivering Israel from Philistine oppression. In this verse, Delilah tries to exploit Samson’s carefree trust in her. By weaving his locks into the loom, she hopes his strength will be neutralized whenever the Philistines arrive, but God’s chosen strength in Samson allows him to escape this threat once more.
Samson’s deliverance here also foreshadows both the resilience and vulnerability of those set apart for God’s purposes. Although Samson continues to thwart Delilah’s repeated efforts, his pattern of misplacing trust and flirting with spiritual compromise will soon take a toll (Matthew 6:13).
He once again slips free, but danger draws ever nearer.
Samson’s repeated escape underscores God’s mercy toward His chosen leader, even when Samson’s heart is divided.
Samson escapes Delilah’s loom-trap, demonstrating for a moment longer that God’s gifts remain steadfast even when tested in the most intimate of circumstances.
One-sentence summary: Delilah’s third failed ruse shows how Samson’s mighty strength endures for now, but also foreshadows the peril in trusting an enemy.
This quick synopsis was AI autogenerated utilizing existing TheBibleSays commentaries as the primary source material. To read a related commentary that has been fully developed, see the list below. If there is an issue with this summary please let us know by emailing:[email protected]
Other Relevant Commentaries:
- Judges 1:16-21 meaning. The descendants of the Kenite join the tribe of Judah in their territory. Despite the Lord’s presence, Judah fails to drive out the inhabitants of the valley, beginning to show the start of their failures. Caleb is given Hebron and drives out the Anakim, but the tribe of Benjamin also fails in their war efforts.
- Luke 16:14-15 meaning. Luke informs the readers that the Pharisees who had been listening to Jesus teach about money were scoffing at what He said. Luke describes the Pharisees as "lovers of money." Jesus rebukes them as self-justifiers who seek to appear righteous before men and reminds them that God sees the reality of their wicked hearts. He also says that men are terrible judges of what is truly good.
- Judges 2:16-23 meaning. Despite Israel’s repeated disobedience, God raises up judges to deliver them from their oppressors. However, the people persist in idolatry and corruption, leading to God’s decision to leave the remaining nations in the land as a test of Israel’s faithfulness.