The Forbidden One - Delilah

background image credit: aegeancenter.wordpress.com

Many of the women mentioned in the Bible have at least one redeeming quality, but I believe Delilah does not fit into this category.  From what the Bible reveals to us, she does not even love Samson, although it is mentioned twice that he loves her.  But why?  From what little is said about Delilah - only 21 verses - it seems that she was selfish and self-seeking and deceptive.

Samson was consecrated to God as a forever Nazirite before he was even born.  According to Numbers 6, there are only three restrictions a Nazirite must follow:

1. abstain from wine and other fermented drink - also abstain from drinking grape juice, eating grapes or raisins - bottom line: don't eat or drink anything that comes from the grapevine, not even the skins or seeds - verses 3 and 4
2. abstain from cutting any hair on their body - the hair must grow long - no razor is to be used on the head - verse 5
3. abstain from going near a dead body - not even a family member who passes away - verse 6

The Nazirite's "diet, appearance, and associations" were on a heightened regulation because they were separating themselves in an act of total devotion to the Lord.  For most Nazarirites they chose to be consecrated in this way to the Lord.  But Samson did not have a choice - God chose him and blessed him with crazy strength!

So maybe it was rebellion that led Samson down a path of self-destruction.  He demanded that he marry a Philistine woman (a no-no), he spent time with a prostitute (and I don't think he popped in for tea), he pulled honey out of a dead lion (see rule #3 above), and even allowed his parents to eat the unclean food without telling them where it was from.  And through this rebellion and sin, the Lord stayed with Samson while he led Israel for 20 years.

And then he laid eyes on Delilah.  What Samson lacked in morals he made up for in rebellion and exploits, and he fell in love with her.  She was forbidden because she was a Philistine, and just like with his wife and the prostitute, that made her even more desirable.

The feelings were not mutual however.  While Samson quickly gave his heart away, Delilah held on to hers with an iron fist.  She had an ulterior motive, and it was all about Delilah.  She had been offered 28 pounds of silver from the rulers of the Philistines in exchange for Samson's secret strength.  According to this Silver Calculator 28 pound of silver in today's market is worth about $5,941.25.  And since Samson's life meant absolutely nothing to this conniving woman, she made the deal.

Delilah knew exactly how Samson felt about her, and I think she was probably surprised when he lied to her about his strength - three times.  What gets me is the arrogance that Samson possessed thinking that he was invincible.  Delilah was desperate and in her desperation she tried everything she could.  She used her beauty, her body, and her brains, but three times Samson tricked her.

And then she pulled out the big guns: Guilt.

"How can you say, 'I love you,' when you won't confide in me?" (Judges 16:15)

Until one day her constant whining and nagging finally wore him down.  The NIV puts it this way:
"With such nagging she prodded him day after day until he was tired to death" (Judges 16:16).

Samson revealed his source of strength - although his hair was really just a symbol of his strength because the Spirit of the Lord is what made Samson strong.  As soon as Delilah put the razor to his head, "his strength left him...but he did not know that the Lord had left him" (Judges 16:19-20).

When she again woke him with the words, "The Philistines are upon you," Samson thought they were still playing their little lover's game, until the Philistines seized him and gouged out his eyes.

Game over.

And to our knowledge, Delilah never gave him another thought.

I wish I had nothing in common with this vicious woman, but sadly I'm afraid I do.  I would be lying if I said I had never deceived someone.  I cannot honestly say that I've never used guilt to get ahead.  I can be selfish and self-seeking.  And I can justify my actions with the best of them.  But I am also a work in progress.  I wish her story took a turn at the end and we get a glimpse at her remorse. 

This is a tragic story of rebellion and sin.  Samson was weak and allowed his arrogance and self-dependence to ruin his relationship with God.  Delilah represents all that is forbidden - the things our selfish hearts desire.  We are all consecrated to God by the blood of Jesus.  And we are all attracted to things and feel invincible - but we must be strong in our moral convictions and remain "set apart," living in obedience rather than rebellion.


You can read more about Delilah's story at She Reads Truth.  Also read Judges 16:1 - 22 and Numbers 6:1 - 21.