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The DEEP

Wipe Out

Goners.

Judges 16:23–31 (ESV)

Now the lords of the Philistines gathered to offer a great sacrifice to Dagon their god and to rejoice, and they said, “Our god has given Samson our enemy into our hand.” And when the people saw him, they praised their god. For they said, “Our god has given our enemy into our hand, the ravager of our country, who has killed many of us.” And when their hearts were merry, they said, “Call Samson, that he may entertain us.” So they called Samson out of the prison, and he entertained them. They made him stand between the pillars. And Samson said to the young man who held him by the hand, “Let me feel the pillars on which the house rests, that I may lean against them.” Now the house was full of men and women. All the lords of the Philistines were there, and on the roof there were about 3,000 men and women, who looked on while Samson entertained.

Then Samson called to the LORD and said, “O Lord GOD, please remember me and please strengthen me only this once, O God, that I may be avenged on the Philistines for my two eyes.” And Samson grasped the two middle pillars on which the house rested, and he leaned his weight against them, his right hand on the one and his left hand on the other. And Samson said, “Let me die with the Philistines.” Then he bowed with all his strength, and the house fell upon the lords and upon all the people who were in it. So the dead whom he killed at his death were more than those whom he had killed during his life. Then his brothers and all his family came down and took him and brought him up and buried him between Zorah and Eshtaol in the tomb of Manoah his father. He had judged Israel twenty years.

Notice that everything the Philistines do in this passage is oriented toward one thing—partying. They throw a party in honor of Dagon, even though he had nothing to do with how they defeated Samson.

And when their hearts were merry, (drunk) they bring out Samson as a freak show. He’s being led by a young man who held him by the hand. They think that the lion tamer has the lion under control.

But the situation is ripe for disaster. All the lords of the Philistines were there. If Samson can attack this crowd, it’ll be much more significant than him killing a bunch of soldiers or other non-royalty.

Furthermore, on the roof there were about 3,000 men and women. That seems odd to us, but flat roofs you could walk on are common in the Middle East. This is a large venue, presumably with a colonnade supporting the roof. Knock out a couple of the columns in the middle and the center caves in, destabilizing the whole structure. Everything comes crashing down.

A few of the people on the roof might survive the fall, but the lords underneath are goners.


So the dead whom he killed at his death were more than those whom he had killed during his life.

That’s not just about quantity; it’s about quality.

The Philistine leadership is wiped out.


These Monday—Friday DEEPs are written by Mike Slay. The Weekend DEEPs are written by Matt Richardson. To subscribe to all the DEEPs click here:

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The weekly study guides, which include the Monday–Friday devotionals plus related questions for discussion or meditation, are available for download here:

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. ESV stands for the English Standard Version. © Copyright 2001 by Crossway. Used by permission. All rights reserved. NIV stands for The Holy Bible, New International Version®. © Copyright 1973 by International Bible Society. Used by permission. All rights reserved. KJV stands for the King James Version.

Mike Slay

As a mathematician, inventor, and ruling elder in the Presbyterian Church in America, Mike Slay brings an analytical, conversational, and even whimsical approach to the daily study of God's Word.

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