The period of Israel’s history following the conquest of Canaan was characterized by a repeating cycle where the people would do evil by following false idols, the Lord would deliver them into the hands of their enemies, they would repent and cry out for mercy, and the Lord would raise up a judge to deliver them from their oppression. One of the most memorable of the judges was the man Samson, and it is the story of Samson where we again see godly men seek out the Lord in prayer.
The story of Samson begins with the circumstances of his birth. Manoah and his wife, members of the tribe of Dan, are childless. The Israelites are in the midst of forty years of suffering at the hands of the Philistines, when God visits Manoah’s wife.
The angel of the Lord appeared to her and said, “You are barren and childless, but you are going to become pregnant and give birth to a son. Now see to it that you drink no wine or other fermented drink and that you do not eat anything unclean. You will become pregnant and have a son whose head is never to be touched by a razor because the boy is to be a Nazirite, dedicated to God from the womb. He will take the lead in delivering Israel from the hands of the Philistines.”
Judges 13:3-5
When Manoah’s wife recounts this encounter, Manoah’s reaction is significant, especially in light of the general lack of faithfulness of the nation.
Then Manoah prayed to the Lord: “Pardon your servant, Lord. I beg you to let the man of God you sent to us come again to teach us how to bring up the boy who is to be born.”
Judges 13:8
Consider the faith and humility of Manoah! He receives the news from his wife about her supernatural visit, and his first response is to seek God to ask for guidance on how to raise up this promised son. This is a gift from God, and Manoah’s actions reflect his realization of what Jeremiah would later write, “It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps”. (Jeremiah 10:23)
With respect to Samson himself, it is noteworthy that his life story begins with the prayer of his father Manoah, and ends with his own prayer. Samson’s tale is full of deeds of great strength, riddles and challenges, and never-ending frustration to the Philistines. But at the end, Samson has been deceived, captured, and robbed of his strength and eyesight. He has nothing left to him but his faith in God. So in the midst of this lowest point in his life, Samson turns to prayer.
Then Samson prayed to the Lord, “Sovereign Lord, remember me. Please, God, strengthen me just once more, and let me with one blow get revenge on the Philistines for my two eyes.” Then Samson reached toward the two central pillars on which the temple stood. Bracing himself against them, his right hand on the one and his left hand on the other, Samson said, “Let me die with the Philistines!” Then he pushed with all his might, and down came the temple on the rulers and all the people in it. Thus he killed many more when he died than while he lived.
Judges 16:28-30