The Death of Samson

Samson's birth was foretold by an angel. He was to grow up a Nazarite, forbidden to drink strong drink, neither was his head to be shaved. His strength was very great; but his marriage was sinful, and his dealings with the idolatrous Philistines terrible. Though an Israelite and a judge, I fear he sinned greatly against God. On one occasion he went to Gaza, a city of the Philistines. The inhabitants tried to capture him, but he arose at midnight and carried away the gates of their city. In our picture he looks so strong, yet we see chains on his legs, and he is blind! How did he lose his sight and become a prisoner? I think it was because of his sin and folly.

He became acquainted with a wicked woman, who enticed him to tell her the secret of his great strength. Three times he lied to her, but at last he said that if his flowing locks were cut, his strength would leave him. While he slept, she cut his hair; then the Philistines rushed in upon him, and when he tried to resist, his strength was gone. Then his eyes were cruelly gouged out, and he was bound with bronze chains.

Our artist shows him blind, brought out to entertain the Philistines at their feast. He is very sorrowful, and I think angry. He asks the boy beside him to place his hands on the pillars that support the house; then, with his great strength returning, he bends forward with all his might; the pillars break, the house falls, and Samson, along with many Philistines, is crushed beneath the ruins. Was not this a terrible end to what might have been a noble life?