Old Testament 1 Lesson 9

AN IMPORTANT LESSON FOR US
Samson did not value the Spirit of God upon his life as he should have. He
thought, “Whenever I need God, He will be with me, regardless of what I
do”. He found out that he was wrong. Even after his hair was cut off and
Delilah woke him up, he said, “I will just go shake myself, as I did before
(and the presence of the Lord will come upon me).” But it did not happen
that way. We must never take for granted the precious presence of the Holy
Spirit. If we continue to sin, the Holy Spirit will forsake us!
Fortunately, Samson had learned his lesson. He renewed his consecration
unto the LORD. This is shown because he allowed his hair to grow, which
was the outward sign of his inward vow to God.
One day the Philistines wanted to have some fun with their captive. They
had Samson brought into an arena packed with people, to mock him.
Thousands of men and women filled the building, including all the lords
of the Philistines. This was their opportunity to ridicule the man who had
formerly tormented them, but now stood before them, blind and weak!
Meanwhile, Samson asked the boy that led him in to let him feel the pillars
that supported the building. He pretended that he was so weak he needed
some support to keep from falling down. Then Samson prayed:
...O LORD God, remember me, I pray thee, and strengthen me, I pray thee, only
this once, O God, that I may be at once avenged of the Philistines for my two
eyes
— JuDGes 16:28
Then taking hold of the two middle pillars, one with his right hand, and
the other with his left, he bowed himself with all his might--and the house
fell down, killing the thousands that had come to make sport of Samson.
The dead which he slew at his death were more than they which he slew in
his life (Judges 16:30). Samson had judged Israel for twenty years before he
died.
CIVIL WAR AGAIN
A certain Levite was travelling with his concubine (servant-wife) when he
and his group came to a Benjamite city, Gibeah. At first, they could not
find lodging, until an old man came from his work in the field and saw
them sitting down in the street. The old man insisted that they lodge with
him. They went home with him and were given food and drink, and their
donkeys were also taken care of.
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