Judges 16

Samson's non-exemplary life continues at the beginning of chapter 16 as he sees and sleeps with a prostitute in the Philistine city of Gaza. Recognizing his arrival, the Philistines seek to trap Samson the next morning before the city gates are opened. But Samson surprises them by getting up in the middle of the night and ripping through the city gates and carrying them uphill away from the city!

Later, Samson falls in love with a woman named Delilah. The Philistines offer Delilah a hefty sum if she will identify and provide them with the secret to Samson's strength (one doubts, here, that Samson was an incredibly strong looking man, otherwise his strength would have been no secret). Delilah attempts to get the secret, but Samson tricks her 3 times. But upon insisting that Samson doesn't truly love her unless he tells her the truth, Samson finally does give away the fact that the secret of his strength is found in his long hair (or, more accurately, his dedication to God). This time Delilah could tell it was the whole truth. She informed the mob. Samson had no idea that the strength had left him. The Philistine's finally had their arch-enemy. They gouged out his eyes and shackled him. We are given a glimmer of hope in verse 22 when it says his hair began to grow back.

Next, we find the Philistines celebrating their victory and attributing it to the sea-god Dagon. They decided to make Samson, now handicapped, provide the 'entertainment.' In the midst of mockery, Samson prayed that God would strenghten him one more time and allow him to triumph over his enemies. He pulled down 2 columns and collapsed the place of assembly, killing himself and thousands of Philistines. This devestation allowed Samson's family to retreive the body and bury him amongst relatives.