The story of Samson is normally perceived as the story of a hero (or judge) of Israel.  Samson was the strongest man in the world.  No one man could have beaten him in a fight.  He killed a lion with his bare hands and a thousand men with the jawbone of a donkey.  But his story is not just a tale filled with superhuman feats and heroic exploits, and it is not told for entertainment.  It is a lesson for all men.  In fact, it is three lessons – the first of the importance of devotion; the second (if you’re a single guy) of making sure you choose a good and trustworthy woman; and the third lesson that God will not forsake you, no matter how much you screw up.

The first lesson in this story is that of devotion to God.  If asked where Samson got his strength, most people would say his hair was his strength.  This is somewhat true.  But his hair was not the source of his strength; it was a sign of his devotion to God.  God was the source (as He is the source of everything) of Samson’s strength, and it remained as long as Samson remained devoted to God.  God gave Samson this strength to do great things for the Israelites, but He took it away once Samson’s devotion was broken (his head was shaved).  Always remain devoted to God and He will continue to bless you.

The second lesson God is sending to all single or engaged guys out there is to make sure the woman you are going to marry is a good woman.  (Just what is a good woman?  I will leave that to someone else to explain.  I have attempted to discuss that topic but have failed to adequately do so.  Nevertheless, God lays out a good plan throughout the lessons of the Bible on the topic of a virtuous woman.  Check it out and settle for no one below the standards that God defines.  Back to the lesson at hand…)

Every hero has to have a weakness.  In Greek mythology, (interesting stories, but filled with impish “gods” that remind me more of demons than deities) even Achilles, the great warrior, had one flaw: his heel.  Achilles was shot in the heel with an arrow (after a “god” had meddled with the flight of the arrow) and died.  Samson too had a weakness; some could argue that Samson’s weakness was his hair.  But his true weakness was women.  Twice he was deceived in his four-chapter story, both times by the woman he loved; once by the Philistine woman who asked the answer to the riddle and then again by Delilah.  The wrong woman can do more harm to a man than a thousand armies could ever attempt to do.  It is imperative that you marry a woman you can trust, not just some hot chick that says “yes” when you propose.  Learn from Samson’s weakness and you will be the better for it.

As a conclusion I will leave you with a final lesson.  Though Samson’s hair was cut and his strength was taken away, hair grows back.  And when Samson’s finally did, God renewed his strength.  God never left Samson, even though he screwed up.  God will not leave you just because you have made a mistake.  He wouldn’t leave you even if you make a thousand mistakes.  God is very forgiving, and I thank Him for that every day.