Delilah

"Afterward it happened that he loved a woman in the Valley of Sorek, whose name was Delilah." Judges 16:4

Samson and Delilah are among the most well-known couples in the Bible. Samson is known for his strength; Delilah is known for her seductive manipulation.

Delilah lived in a small village near Samson's hometown. She was thought to have been a Philistine, carrying the reputation of the town prostitute. The Philistine leaders knew of her and Samson's relationship for some time and waited and watched for the perfect opportunity to approach Delilah with an offer she could not refuse.

And the lords of the Philistines came to her and said to her, "Entice him, and find out where his great strength lies, and by what means we may overpower him, that we may bind him to afflict him; and every one of us will give you eleven hundred pieces of silver." (Judges 16:5)

The amount of money they offered Delilah to betray Samson and allow him to be captured was a huge sum, which showed the Philistine's fear of Samson. A year's wage for a Levite was ten shekels of silver; they were willing to give her eleven hundred shekels from each of them. Samson may have loved Delilah but her devotion to him was not evident. She was driven by greed and would do anything to get what she wanted. She was perfectly willing to use her emotional hold she had over Samson to earn a large sum of cash.

Delilah's plans were simple even though it took some time, along with a lot of pleading and begging, it eventually worked. She was teasing and flirtatious; playful and desirable. She played her hand at alluring and enticement to get the information needed. She knew there was a fortune waiting for her and she was on a relentless pursuit. The need to know the secret to his strength was driving her determination and ultimately she succeeded.

Convinced after many different tries that he had finally been honest with her, she sent for the Philistine leaders. She soothed him to sleep and had his hair cut off. With heartless abandon she watched as he struggled out of a deep sleep, thinking he would fight off his attackers as easily as before. But he soon realized to his horror that his strength was gone ("But he did not know that the Lord had departed from him." Judges 16:20).

Delilah symbolizes the immoral woman of Proverbs 5.

"But in the end she is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged sword. Her feet go down to death, her steps lay hold of hell." (Prov. 5:4-6).

Probably as soon as they had captured Samson and was leading him away Delilah was already counting her money.

"Therefore hear me now, my children, and do not depart from the words of my mouth. Remove your way far from her, and do not go near the door of her house, lest you give your honor to others, and your years to the cruel one." (Prov. 5:7-9)

I love you & He loves you more!

Lord, Cleanse any wicked way in me and may I walk upright in Your presence. Help me to live from my core Christian values and seek to obey You all the days of my life. Thank You for Delilah's example in Your Word that teaches us to live to honor You and not self. In Jesus' name. Amen.