I want to talk to you for a little while about the issue of compromise, specifically the compromise that Samson allowed with Delilah that ultimately led to his death. It was, as is usually the case, a gradual drift towards the ultimate compromise that cost him his eyes, his freedom, and ultimately, his life. Let’s look at the progression of the drift and see what we can learn from it. Let’s begin by looking at the first step in the downward spiral that finally culminated in such disaster for Samson.
Judges 16:7 (KJV)
“[7] And Samson said unto her, If they bind me with seven green withs that were never dried, then shall I be weak, and be as another man.”
Samson began the downhill slide with the first seemingly harmless lie about what was necessary to render him powerless. Let’s look at this excerpt.
‘Samson had been more than once brought into mischief and danger by the love of women, yet he would not take warning, but is again taken in the same snare, and this third time is fatal. Licentiousness is one of the things that take away the heart. This is a deep pit into which many have fallen; but from which few have escaped, and those by a miracle of mercy, with the loss of reputation and usefulness, of almost all, except their souls. The anguish of the suffering is ten thousand times greater than all the pleasures of the sin.’
(excerpt taken from the web)
Samson allowed the compromise to begin because he had escaped from similar compromise relatively unscathed in the past. But this would prove to be his downfall. Let’s look at the next step in this progression.
Judges 16:11 (KJV)
“[11] And he said unto her, If they bind me fast with new ropes that never were occupied, then shall I be weak, and be as another man.”
Notice that the compromise is slowly starting to wear on Samson’s resolve, because the lie that he told, though still totally incapable of rendering him a weak man, was closer to the necessary step than before. In man’s sight, ropes are much stronger than mere ‘green withs’, which shows the progressive nature of the whole situation. Look at this excerpt.
‘In Judges 16, the “new ropes” (specifically unused, strong, or fresh cords) used to bind Samson signify the futility of human, material, and worldly efforts to constrain divine power. They highlight Samson’s growing spiritual compromise and carelessness with his Nazirite vow, as he plays with the danger of his situation, allowing himself to be tied up despite his supernatural strength.’
(excerpt taken from the web)
Let’s consider the next step in this downward spiral of the man of God.
Judges 16:13 (KJV)
“[13] And Delilah said unto Samson, Hitherto thou hast mocked me, and told me lies: tell me wherewith thou mightest be bound. And he said unto her, If thou weavest the seven locks of my head with the web.”
You can now clearly see that this is rapidly becoming a compromising situation for Samson that he is going to wind up regretting. It’s now getting very close to the truth that he is telling. Look at this.
‘Key Signifigance and Context:
Entanglement in Sin: The act of weaving his holy hair into a weaver’s beam symbolizes being trapped or ensnared by sin, highlighting how Samson allowed his enemies into his sacred vows.
The Nazirite Vow: Samson’s hair was the visible sign of his separation unto God, and the number seven symbolizes perfection or completeness. The seven braids (or dreadlocks) signify the total consecration of his life, which he disregarded through his attachment to Delilah.
False Security: The “pin” used to secure the loom suggests a false sense of security or a temporary pause before his ultimate loss of power.
A “Type” of Mockery: The text depicts a humorous yet deadly serious scene where Samson plays with his secret before finally revealing it, showing his immense arrogance and spiritual blindness.’
(excerpt taken from the web)
You can see the progression of lies from weak to progressively stronger. Let’s look at that in numbered order.
1) Weak lie concerning the hands.
2) A little stronger lie concerning the hands.
3) A lie much closer to the truth concerning his hair. (Notice that the further the progression, the greater the compromise?)
Now, let’s look at Samson’s ultimate downfall.
Judges 16:17, 19-21 (KJV)
“[17] that he told her all his heart, and said unto her, There hath not come a razor upon mine head; for I have been a Nazarite unto God from my mother’s womb: if I be shaven, then my strength will go from me, and I shall become weak, and be like any other man.
[19] And she made him sleep upon her knees; and she called for a man, and she caused him to shave off the seven locks of his head; and she began to afflict him, and his strength went from him.
[20] And she said, The Philistines be upon thee, Samson. And he awoke out of his sleep, and said, I will go out as at other times before, and shake myself. And he wist not that the LORD was departed from him.
[21] But the Philistines took him, and put out his eyes, and brought him down to Gaza, and bound him with fetters of brass; and he did grind in the prison house.”
At this point in the story, I want you to think about something. Samson could have used the first lie as a litmus test to see the willingness of Delilah to sell out to the Philistines and send her packing (which is what he should have done), but instead, he chose to continue to tempt the Lord. And I also want you to notice the second half of verse twenty. Samson didn’t even recognize the compromise for what it was until the Philistines overcame him. Compromise has a way of doing that: blinding you to reality until it’s too late. But, thankfully, even when we are required to ‘reap what we sow’, the Lord is merciful and hears our prayers. Let’s look at the finale of the story.
Judges 16:25-26, 28-30 (KJV)
“[25] And it came to pass, when their hearts were merry, that they said, Call for Samson, that he may make us sport. And they called for Samson out of the prison house; and he made them sport: and they set him between the pillars.
[26] And Samson said unto the lad that held him by the hand, Suffer me that I may feel the pillars whereupon the house standeth, that I may lean upon them.
[28] And Samson called unto the LORD, and said, O Lord GOD, remember me, I pray thee, and strengthen me, I pray thee, only this once, O God, that I may be at once avenged of the Philistines for my two eyes.
[29] And Samson took hold of the two middle pillars upon which the house stood, and on which it was borne up, of the one with his right hand, and of the other with his left.
[30] And Samson said, Let me die with the Philistines. And he bowed himself with all his might; and the house fell upon the lords, and upon all the people that were therein. So the dead which he slew at his death were more than they which he slew in his life.”
This story should serve as a reminder of the incredible impact and often immeasurable cost of allowing compromise in your life. And it also shows us that no matter how ‘anointed’ you are, compromise is deadly. I hope that you have been blessed and encouraged by this article. Remember that I love you guys and I’m praying for you.