April 24, 2025 • 28 mins
# 135 - Samson Part II: The Lionslayer - In this episode of The Chosen People with Yael Eckstein, Samson slays a lion with his bare hands but can't control the desires that rule him. As his strength grows, so does his recklessness—turning a calling from God into a path of pride, betrayal, and revenge.
Episode 135 of The Chosen People with Yael Eckstein is inspired by the Book of Joshua.
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For more information about Yael Eckstein and IFCJ visit https://www.ifcj.org/who-we-are?utm_source=pray
Today's opening prayer is inspired by Proverbs 4:23, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”
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Show Notes:
(0_:__) Intro with Yael Eckstein
(0_:__) Samson Part II: The Lionslayer
(__:__) Reflection with Yael Eckstein
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Previously on the chosen people.
Speaker 2 (00:03):
Your barren womb shall from now on be called blessed,
for this day you shall conceive and bear a soun.
Speaker 1 (00:11):
Priya could not speak, nor could she look away. The
angel smiled her glimmer of divine warmth in the fading
light and helped her to her feet.
Speaker 2 (00:22):
Your son shall be a mighty warrior. He shall begin
to save Israel from the hand of the Philistines. He
is to be set apart for the Lord's purposes. Therefore,
be careful and drink no wine, a strong drink, and
eat nothing unclean. No razor shall come upon his head.
For the child shall be a Nazarite god from the womb.
Speaker 3 (00:45):
He will be called Samson Sunlight. I met a woman
in Timna, Timna, a Philistine woman. I want her as
my wife. Have you not thought for your people?
Speaker 4 (01:01):
The Philistines have oppressed us for decades. Is there no
woman among your own kin you could take as your wife?
Speaker 5 (01:08):
Ah Lepidia pleases my eyes, and that is enough. I
care not for these other things. Fetch your for me, Father.
Speaker 1 (01:18):
None of them could see the hand of God at work,
moving in ways mysterious and strange. Sampson's weakness, his reckless
heart would be the instrument of deliverance for Israel. For
all his flaws, God was weaving a plan through the chaos.
Speaker 6 (01:48):
Chosen, yes, but will he yield to God or to himself? Shell, Oh,
my friends, from here in the holy land of Israel,
i'm l extein with international fellowship of Christians and Jews,
and welcome to the Chosen people in the Kingless Kingdom.
Strength alone isn't enough, and that's where we find our hero,
(02:10):
a man chosen from birth and gifted with divine strength,
but a man led by desire instead of devotion. In
Judges fourteen, we watch as he follows his cravings wherever
they lead, no matter the cost. He will tear a
line apart with his bare hands, but he cannot control
the beast within himself. It's the story of a man
(02:35):
consumed by his own wants, wielding God given strength to
serve not God but himself.
Speaker 1 (02:45):
Samson strolled through the vineyards of Timna, his steps slow
and measured. The Nazarit valve forbade him from such places.
But rules had always been to Samson what spiderwebs were
to a bull, Thin and inconsequential. His thoughts, too strayed
from his sacred calling Lapida. He thought of her lips,
(03:11):
full and red as the wine he never drank, her
body soft and yielding, and her hair fragrant as the
wild flowers. Yet her soul, her heart, her mind, these
were of no concern to Samson. His passions ruled him.
(03:31):
As he walked, A shiver ran down his spine. He paused,
his senses sharpening. The vineyard was still unnaturally so, and
he felt the weight of eyes upon him. He turned sharply,
scanning the vines, but he saw nothing. A gust of
wind rustled the leaves, but Samson knew the difference between
(03:52):
the whisper of the wind and the hush of a predator.
A low growl broke the silence, and a lion burst
from the underbrush. The beast was lean and golden, its
muscles rippling beneath its fur as it leaped upon him.
Samson was thrown to the ground, the lion's claws digging
into his shoulders. The creature's breath filled his nostrils as
(04:15):
it lunged for his throat. Though Samson's body moved with
a force more powerful than any man's, his foot connected
with the beast's chest, sending it sprawling into the dirt.
The lion rose, shaking itself, and its amber eyes locked
onto Samson's. They circled one another, two predators, neither willing
(04:38):
to yield.
Speaker 5 (04:40):
Ah, come, beast, Let's see who is stronger.
Speaker 1 (04:46):
The lion roared and lunged. This time Samson met at
mid air, his hands closing around its throat. Samson slammed
the creature to the ground. The lion thrashed beneath him,
its claws raking him arms that Samson did not falter.
The spirit of the Lord surged through him, a wildfire
(05:07):
coursing through his veins. His laughter turned to a fierce
shout as he tightened his grip. The lion's growls grew weaker,
but it broke free, staggering back to its feet. With
a final desperate roar, it charged again. Samson caught its
jaws his hands, forcing them apart. The lion writhed and
(05:29):
clawed that Samson's strength was more than mortal. With a
cry of rage and triumph, he tore the beast in two,
its body splitting with a sickening crack. Glood and sinew
stained his hands and Samson stood over the lifeless creature,
his chest heaving. For a moment, he felt something unfamiliar,
(05:53):
a flicker of awe at the power that had surged
through him. Yet as quickly as it came, it was gone.
He looked down at the carcass and smirked.
Speaker 5 (06:05):
A may all my enemies have the same fate.
Speaker 1 (06:12):
After this, he departed back to Timna to speak with
his bride to Bee. Days had passed since Samson's encounter
with the lion, but the memory still lingered in his mind.
The power he felt in that moment, the raw strength
coursing through him, filled him with pride and a peculiar
(06:35):
kind of joy. The stench of decay soon reached him,
sharp and rank, pulling him from his reverie. He came
upon the carcass of the lion he had slain. The
body had bloated and blackened in the sun, its flesh
now a haven for filth and rot. Yet amid the carnage,
(06:56):
Samson saw something curious. A swarm of bees buzzed around
the remains. A hive was built within the lion's chest cavity.
Ignoring the stinging of the bees, Samson reached into the
carcass and pulled out a dripping honeycomb. Without hesitation, he
took a bite, savoring the honey as it melted on
(07:18):
his tongue. Once again, Samson dismissed the Nazarite vow and
the lore of Moses with the careless ease. He was
a man ruled by appetite. He returned home, carrying the
honey in his hands. Entering his father's house, he placed
it on the table with a flourish.
Speaker 3 (07:39):
Father, Mother, come and eats. I have found wild honey
in the fields.
Speaker 1 (07:45):
Manoah and Priya joined him. Unaware of the honey's origins,
they ate in silence, the sweetness masking the bitterness that
lay at the heart of their family. Samson licked his
fingers clean, reclining with so satisfaction.
Speaker 3 (08:01):
Father is all prepared for me to take my bride.
It is my son. I have paid the bride price
and retrieve her tomorrow morning.
Speaker 5 (08:12):
Excellent, I shall prepare a wedding feast fit for Knes.
Speaker 1 (08:17):
True to his word, Samson arranged a feast that was
the talk of Timna. The halls were heavy with the
scent of roasted meats and aged cheeses. The tables laden
with food and drink. Though Samson drank no wine, he
was drunk on the revelry, Basking in the attention of
the Philistine youths. He danced and laughed, making a spectacle
(08:40):
of himself for their amusement. When his bride arrived, he
greeted her with open arms. The two were wed before
the assembled guests. That night, they consummated their marriage, her
union of fire and passion. The feast continued for days.
Thirty Philistine men joined the revelry, challenging Samson to games
(09:05):
of strength and skill. He bested them, all his victories,
feeding his pride. Yet when the conversation turned to riddles,
Samson's confidence faltered. The men's spun clever puzzles, their wit,
cutting into Samson's fragile egot. Samson, unaccustomed to being outdone,
(09:26):
grew indignant.
Speaker 3 (09:28):
Not me, who's a riddle to you?
Speaker 1 (09:31):
He stood his arms wide, commanding the room like an
actor on a stage.
Speaker 5 (09:37):
If you tell me the answer within seven days of
the feast, I will give you all thirty garments and
thirty changes of clothes.
Speaker 3 (09:47):
But if you cannot tell me the answer, I shall receive.
Speaker 5 (09:50):
From you thirty linen garments and thirty changes of clothes.
Speaker 3 (09:55):
Do we have a deal?
Speaker 5 (09:58):
Give us your riddle very well. Out of the eater
came something to eat. Out of the strong came something sweet.
Speaker 1 (10:09):
The men frowned, their confidence faltering. They had expected a
simple puzzle, but this riddle eluded them. For three days
they pondered, growing increasingly frustrated. On the fourth day, their
patients snapped. They cornered Samson's wife against the stone hall,
away from Samson's sight.
Speaker 3 (10:31):
Your husband has made a fool of us.
Speaker 1 (10:34):
Lapida tried walking away, but was quickly thrown against the wall.
Speaker 4 (10:38):
You will entice your husband to tell us the answer
to that riddle. This Hebrew dog will not make us fools.
Speaker 7 (10:46):
My husband will tear you from limb to limb if
you harm me.
Speaker 3 (10:50):
Of course, that's why.
Speaker 4 (10:52):
Who will do nothing to you when your father's house
will be burned to the ground if you do not
tell us.
Speaker 1 (10:57):
Samson's wife held back tears and stood up straight.
Speaker 7 (11:01):
Very well. I will convince him to tell me the answer.
Speaker 1 (11:06):
That night, she approached Samson with false smiles and soft words.
Wrapping her arms around his neck, she whispered in his ear.
Speaker 7 (11:15):
Come to bed with me, my love.
Speaker 1 (11:17):
Samson agreed without protest. She took his hand and led
him into the chambers. She ran her fingers through his
long hair and brought him in close for a kiss.
Speaker 7 (11:28):
How is it that you've managed to outwit every man
in the city with your riddle? Tell me the answer
to your riddle?
Speaker 5 (11:36):
Hm, my sweet the answer to the riddle is mine
and mine.
Speaker 1 (11:42):
Alt Samson's wife pushed back and furrowed her brow.
Speaker 7 (11:48):
Do you hate me so much that you wouldn't even
share it with your wife?
Speaker 5 (11:51):
I I love neither my father nor mother. No, why
should I tell you?
Speaker 7 (11:59):
Why should you tell me?
Speaker 5 (12:01):
Ah?
Speaker 7 (12:01):
I'm your wife. We share a bit. You are flaunting
this riddle up before everyone and leaving me out of
it on purpose? Do you want me to feel stupid?
Speaker 3 (12:13):
This is absurd.
Speaker 5 (12:14):
If you want to know the answer so badly, I
suppose you will have to think harder.
Speaker 1 (12:18):
Lapida stormed from the room, her anger feigned but convincing.
For days, she wore him down, her persistence as relentless
as the Philistine's threats.
Speaker 7 (12:30):
In my whole life, I would never have imagined having
a husband so callous and withholding. This just proves how
childish you are not even willing to share a stupid
riddle with me. I doubt you even have an answer.
You're just stalling. If you actually had an answer, you'd
tell me. Child, You're a child, tell me, tell me.
Speaker 5 (12:54):
Tell me enough.
Speaker 3 (12:56):
Oho.
Speaker 5 (12:59):
Ah, you've done it. You've done what I thought was impossible.
You've worn me down. Woman, you have successfully chiseled at
my sanity, and I will endure it no longer.
Speaker 3 (13:12):
I will give you your answer.
Speaker 7 (13:15):
Finally. Oh, thank you, my love.
Speaker 1 (13:19):
She threw her arms around him. Samson, confused, angry and
worn down, told her the answer.
Speaker 3 (13:28):
Ah, the eater is the lion. My slaved new vineyard.
Speaker 5 (13:34):
Days later, bees made their hive in the lion's carcass,
and there was sweet honey. Out of the eater came
something to eat. Out of the straw came something sweet.
Speaker 1 (13:48):
She kissed him, but offered no thanks. As soon as
he turned away, she hurried to the Philistines and revealed
the answer. On the final day of the feast, the
men approached Samson with smug grins.
Speaker 3 (14:06):
It's the seventh day. Are you prepared to give me
my garments? Shall I give you my size?
Speaker 1 (14:15):
One of the men leaned forward and folded his hands.
Speaker 4 (14:18):
Certainly, Samson, you have truly outwitted us, But surely you
will allow us one final guess.
Speaker 5 (14:25):
Of course, it makes no difference. You'll never guess.
Speaker 1 (14:30):
The young man paused for effect and tilted his head
to the side.
Speaker 5 (14:35):
It truly is a puzzling I would assume some of
the greatest seers.
Speaker 3 (14:39):
Of our time may never be able to answer it. However,
perhaps I let me answer with two questions. What is
sweeter than hon what is stronger than alone?
Speaker 1 (14:51):
The whole erupted with laughter, but Samson's smile faded. His
gaze turned to Lapida, who his eyes. Rage burned in
his chest, but he masked it with a chilling calm.
Speaker 5 (15:07):
If you hadn't plowed my have for you would not
have found out my riddle.
Speaker 3 (15:14):
Tell me, do you think that is fair?
Speaker 1 (15:17):
The hall fell silent as Samson stood, his massive frame,
casting a long shadow.
Speaker 3 (15:24):
I shall return with your garments. Gentlemen, don't go anywhere.
Speaker 1 (15:28):
He slammed the door behind him, the frame splintering under
his strength. The men exchanged uneasy glances, the weight of
their mistake dawning upon them. Samson burned with rage, his
humiliation stoking a fire in his chest that would not
be quenched. His pride, bruised by betrayal and mockery, now
(15:53):
demanded retribution. The spirit of the Lord, fierce and unrelenting,
flowed through his head. He marched from Timna toward the
philistine city of ashgalon his steps thunderous as a storm,
rolling in from the sea and the city's gates, A
cluster of guards spotted his approach.
Speaker 2 (16:15):
Hebrew, stop right there.
Speaker 1 (16:18):
The guards threw their spears. Samson didn't stop.
Speaker 2 (16:23):
This is your last warning, dog, run back to your den.
Speaker 1 (16:28):
But Samson's pace quickened, a job that became a charge,
his massive frame hurtling toward them like a war horse
in battle. The guards braced themselves, lowering their spears, but
they were as sadlings before an inevitable sor. Samson seized
the nearest spear, snapping it in two as if it
(16:50):
were dry kindling. With a single hand, he gripped the
armored guard and hurled him into his companions. Two more
rushed at him. Samson and leapt between them, his movements
impossibly swift. He seized them by their necks and smashed
their heads together. The sickening crack of bone echoing off
the city walls. The remaining guards retreated, their faces pale
(17:15):
with terror.
Speaker 7 (17:16):
He is no man.
Speaker 1 (17:18):
The gates of Ashcalon were no barrier to him. Samson
stormed into the city, his fists and feet as deadly
as any blade. One by one, he kicked down the
doors of thirty houses, each time dragging their occupants into
the streets. He killed them with the ease of a butcher,
(17:38):
Felling livestock. Blood painted his hands and arms, His breath
ragged as he stripped the dead of their garments. When
his work was done, Samson hefted the sack of stolen
clothing over his shoulder and began his march out of
the city. A lone guard, trembling with a torch and
(18:00):
sword charged. Samson caught the blade mid swing, twisted it
from the man's grip, and struck him unconscious with a
single head button Taking the torch, Samson set the dry
brush at the city's edge aflame. The fire spread quickly,
climbing the walls and licking at the fields beyond. He
(18:22):
walked away as the city burned behind him, his path
lit by the inferno, his shadow cast long against the smoke,
darkened sky. The wedding feast had ended with silence and dread.
(18:42):
Guests stood outside the hall, their eyes fixed on the horizon,
now alight with flames. Smoke rose in thick columns, carrying
with it the faint screams of the people of Ascalon.
Samson returned to Timna, his face colder stone. He dropped
the sack of garments at the feet of the men
(19:04):
who had bested his riddle. Reaching into the sack, he
pulled out a fine linen robe and used it to
wipe the grime from his face.
Speaker 3 (19:14):
Here you are, my friends. I promised you all new garments.
I'm a man of my word. What have you done?
Those were our kin mm hmm.
Speaker 5 (19:29):
I simply went and fetched what I promised. You, philistine,
consider yourself blessed. I hosted you for a week, fed you,
and now you leave with new garments.
Speaker 1 (19:45):
The crowd stood frozen without another glance. Samson turned and
strode away, his steps heavy with purpose. He left his
bride behind. Samson's path was not one of heroism, but
of destruction, a road paved with his unchecked passions and
(20:06):
untempered pride. Yet, even in his ignorance and folly, the
hand of God moved through him. He was not a savior,
not a man of noble character or steadfast courage, but
a tool sharp and brutal, used to tear down the
oppressors of Israel. But this was only the beginning of
(20:30):
his story. The fire that burned within Samson would consume
all in its path, and yet through that ruin, redemption
would come, as only the Lord could will it.
Speaker 6 (20:49):
What a haunting story here we have a man with
strength that could shake the earth, strength given by God
no less. But instead of fighting as people, he chases
his desires, using power to satisfy his very own cravings.
A philistine woman catches his eye, and he wants her,
(21:10):
not for love, not for God's purpose, but simply because
he sees and he desires. And then a lion ripped
apart by his hands like it's nothing. This isn't a
tale of quiet devotion. It's a raw, unsettling glimpse into
what happens when God's gifts are given to unyielding hands.
(21:35):
What we're wrestling with here isn't just the story of
one man or one desire. It's a question that cuts deep.
What happens when a gift from God is used for
human desires. To be chosen by God is a weighty thing,
isn't it. It's a calling, a demand for a life
of sacrifice, holiness, and self control. And yet here we
(21:58):
see the opposite, a man driven by impulse, by the
urge to consume and conquer. Samson is chosen, yes, but
he hasn't yielded. He hasn't yielded to God's will, but
to his own. Our desires aren't simply emotions to be
followed or denied, They are forces to be directed. The
(22:19):
Jewish sages teach that are yeatser hurrah, our evil inclination
isn't evil by nature. It's the part of us that craves,
that wants, that seek satisfaction, And when it's left unchecked,
our yeatsir haurrah, our evil inclination, becomes the very thing
that leads us astray. Take Samson. His strength, passion, and
(22:43):
power were never meant to be denied, but rather directed
and channeled to holiness. His role was supposed to be
to protect Israel and carry God's strength, but instead he
became a slave to his own impulses, bending his gift
towards soul gratification. Our scriptures are filled with stories of
(23:05):
flawed heroes, and they're there to remind each one of
us that a life without restraint is a life headed
for destruction. Samson's strength is divine, yes, but his motives
they are very human. As we've seen so far, and
as we'll see in the following episodes, Samson's life was
(23:26):
a difficult and a violent one. But before we continue
looking at Samson's life, I want to take a closer
look at the moment from this chapter when Samson poses
a riddle to his wedding guests. The riddle refers to
Samson's encounter with the lion, in whose body he found honey.
Part of the riddle in Hebrew was met as yetsa matouk,
(23:49):
which is usually translated as from the strong came forth
the sweet. Now this relates to the sweet honey that
Samson found inside the strong the lion. This part of
the riddle has become a kind of folk saying for
the Jewish people. When it's translated as from the bitter
(24:10):
comes forth the sweet, it's a message we say often
think about it. From the bitter comes forth the sweet.
It's a kind of statement of faith. For the Jewish people,
whose lot has very often been a bitter one. Bitter
attacks by those who wish to destroy us, bitter attacks
(24:33):
of anti Semitism, bitter attacks by Islamic extremists and all
different enemies throughout the ages. But what this saying reminds
us from the bitter comes forth the sweet, is that
in spite of the bitterness, or even from the bitterness,
we've always believed that God would send the sweetness, He'll
(24:55):
send the redemption, He'll send a return to our ancestral land.
And we've seen how from the darkness comes the light,
How from the bitter comes the sweet. It's on the
heels of the Holocaust, where six million Jews were murdered
that I'm speaking to you right now today from Israel.
(25:17):
It's on this backdrop of Christians persecuting the Jewish people
for so many generations that I'm speaking to you today
from Israel, where I lead a ministry, that it's Christians
who are fighting the hatred towards Israel. It's Christians who
are feeding the hungry of Israel, clothing the naked of Israel,
(25:39):
and being the watchman on the walls of Jerusalem. Indeed,
sometimes From bitterness comes sweet This parable came true for
Samson all those years ago, and for us today it
has come true as well. All of our bitterness, and
even among our present bitterness here in Israel, believe will
(26:01):
be turned to sweetness. The dark side of Samson's story
reveals a troubling truth. Strength without submission is just another
form of slavery. Here's a man fills with divine power,
marked by God, set apart from birth. But what does
he do with this gift? He chases after the fleeting,
(26:21):
the temporary lust, vengeance, his own satisfaction. He may be
chosen by God, but Samson serves his desires as if
they were gods in themselves, a gift, no matter how divine,
can be corrupted. My friends, how often do we take
(26:42):
what God has placed in our hands, our skills, our talents,
our influence, and bend them towards our own desires. It's
so easy to let strength become selfishness, to let our
own needs eclipse the very purpose for which we were called.
But here's the truth. Ill, strength isn't in satisfying our
(27:02):
every craving. It's in mastering them, in channeling them towards
the service of something greater. Our gifts from God are
mental lift others, not to indulge our own whims. If
Samson's story shows us anything, it's the danger of letting
our hearts be ruled by desire. When we do, even
(27:22):
gifts from God can become chains, binding us to ourselves.
May we take what we've been given and give it
to God's purposes. May we live not as slaves to
our own cravings, but as servants of the one who
gives us strength. And may we remember strength without surrender
(27:43):
is no strength at all.
Speaker 1 (27:47):
You can listen to The Chosen People with the Isle
ex Stein add free by downloading and subscribing to the
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(28:09):
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the opening prayer is voiced by John Moore. Music by
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(28:34):
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(28:55):
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Previously on the chosen people.
Speaker 2 (00:03):
Your barren womb shall from now on be called blessed,
for this day you shall conceive and bear a soun.
Speaker 1 (00:11):
Priya could not speak, nor could she look away. The
angel smiled her glimmer of divine warmth in the fading
light and helped her to her feet.
Speaker 2 (00:22):
Your son shall be a mighty warrior. He shall begin
to save Israel from the hand of the Philistines. He
is to be set apart for the Lord's purposes. Therefore,
be careful and drink no wine, a strong drink, and
eat nothing unclean. No razor shall come upon his head.
For the child shall be a Nazarite god from the womb.
Speaker 3 (00:45):
He will be called Samson Sunlight. I met a woman
in Timna, Timna, a Philistine woman. I want her as
my wife. Have you not thought for your people?
Speaker 4 (01:01):
The Philistines have oppressed us for decades. Is there no
woman among your own kin you could take as your wife?
Speaker 5 (01:08):
Ah Lepidia pleases my eyes, and that is enough. I
care not for these other things. Fetch your for me, Father.
Speaker 1 (01:18):
None of them could see the hand of God at work,
moving in ways mysterious and strange. Sampson's weakness, his reckless
heart would be the instrument of deliverance for Israel. For
all his flaws, God was weaving a plan through the chaos.
Speaker 6 (01:48):
Chosen, yes, but will he yield to God or to himself? Shell, Oh,
my friends, from here in the holy land of Israel,
i'm l extein with international fellowship of Christians and Jews,
and welcome to the Chosen people in the Kingless Kingdom.
Strength alone isn't enough, and that's where we find our hero,
(02:10):
a man chosen from birth and gifted with divine strength,
but a man led by desire instead of devotion. In
Judges fourteen, we watch as he follows his cravings wherever
they lead, no matter the cost. He will tear a
line apart with his bare hands, but he cannot control
the beast within himself. It's the story of a man
(02:35):
consumed by his own wants, wielding God given strength to
serve not God but himself.
Speaker 1 (02:45):
Samson strolled through the vineyards of Timna, his steps slow
and measured. The Nazarit valve forbade him from such places.
But rules had always been to Samson what spiderwebs were
to a bull, Thin and inconsequential. His thoughts, too strayed
from his sacred calling Lapida. He thought of her lips,
(03:11):
full and red as the wine he never drank, her
body soft and yielding, and her hair fragrant as the
wild flowers. Yet her soul, her heart, her mind, these
were of no concern to Samson. His passions ruled him.
(03:31):
As he walked, A shiver ran down his spine. He paused,
his senses sharpening. The vineyard was still unnaturally so, and
he felt the weight of eyes upon him. He turned sharply,
scanning the vines, but he saw nothing. A gust of
wind rustled the leaves, but Samson knew the difference between
(03:52):
the whisper of the wind and the hush of a predator.
A low growl broke the silence, and a lion burst
from the underbrush. The beast was lean and golden, its
muscles rippling beneath its fur as it leaped upon him.
Samson was thrown to the ground, the lion's claws digging
into his shoulders. The creature's breath filled his nostrils as
(04:15):
it lunged for his throat. Though Samson's body moved with
a force more powerful than any man's, his foot connected
with the beast's chest, sending it sprawling into the dirt.
The lion rose, shaking itself, and its amber eyes locked
onto Samson's. They circled one another, two predators, neither willing
(04:38):
to yield.
Speaker 5 (04:40):
Ah, come, beast, Let's see who is stronger.
Speaker 1 (04:46):
The lion roared and lunged. This time Samson met at
mid air, his hands closing around its throat. Samson slammed
the creature to the ground. The lion thrashed beneath him,
its claws raking him arms that Samson did not falter.
The spirit of the Lord surged through him, a wildfire
(05:07):
coursing through his veins. His laughter turned to a fierce
shout as he tightened his grip. The lion's growls grew weaker,
but it broke free, staggering back to its feet. With
a final desperate roar, it charged again. Samson caught its
jaws his hands, forcing them apart. The lion writhed and
(05:29):
clawed that Samson's strength was more than mortal. With a
cry of rage and triumph, he tore the beast in two,
its body splitting with a sickening crack. Glood and sinew
stained his hands and Samson stood over the lifeless creature,
his chest heaving. For a moment, he felt something unfamiliar,
(05:53):
a flicker of awe at the power that had surged
through him. Yet as quickly as it came, it was gone.
He looked down at the carcass and smirked.
Speaker 5 (06:05):
A may all my enemies have the same fate.
Speaker 1 (06:12):
After this, he departed back to Timna to speak with
his bride to Bee. Days had passed since Samson's encounter
with the lion, but the memory still lingered in his mind.
The power he felt in that moment, the raw strength
coursing through him, filled him with pride and a peculiar
(06:35):
kind of joy. The stench of decay soon reached him,
sharp and rank, pulling him from his reverie. He came
upon the carcass of the lion he had slain. The
body had bloated and blackened in the sun, its flesh
now a haven for filth and rot. Yet amid the carnage,
(06:56):
Samson saw something curious. A swarm of bees buzzed around
the remains. A hive was built within the lion's chest cavity.
Ignoring the stinging of the bees, Samson reached into the
carcass and pulled out a dripping honeycomb. Without hesitation, he
took a bite, savoring the honey as it melted on
(07:18):
his tongue. Once again, Samson dismissed the Nazarite vow and
the lore of Moses with the careless ease. He was
a man ruled by appetite. He returned home, carrying the
honey in his hands. Entering his father's house, he placed
it on the table with a flourish.
Speaker 3 (07:39):
Father, Mother, come and eats. I have found wild honey
in the fields.
Speaker 1 (07:45):
Manoah and Priya joined him. Unaware of the honey's origins,
they ate in silence, the sweetness masking the bitterness that
lay at the heart of their family. Samson licked his
fingers clean, reclining with so satisfaction.
Speaker 3 (08:01):
Father is all prepared for me to take my bride.
It is my son. I have paid the bride price
and retrieve her tomorrow morning.
Speaker 5 (08:12):
Excellent, I shall prepare a wedding feast fit for Knes.
Speaker 1 (08:17):
True to his word, Samson arranged a feast that was
the talk of Timna. The halls were heavy with the
scent of roasted meats and aged cheeses. The tables laden
with food and drink. Though Samson drank no wine, he
was drunk on the revelry, Basking in the attention of
the Philistine youths. He danced and laughed, making a spectacle
(08:40):
of himself for their amusement. When his bride arrived, he
greeted her with open arms. The two were wed before
the assembled guests. That night, they consummated their marriage, her
union of fire and passion. The feast continued for days.
Thirty Philistine men joined the revelry, challenging Samson to games
(09:05):
of strength and skill. He bested them, all his victories,
feeding his pride. Yet when the conversation turned to riddles,
Samson's confidence faltered. The men's spun clever puzzles, their wit,
cutting into Samson's fragile egot. Samson, unaccustomed to being outdone,
(09:26):
grew indignant.
Speaker 3 (09:28):
Not me, who's a riddle to you?
Speaker 1 (09:31):
He stood his arms wide, commanding the room like an
actor on a stage.
Speaker 5 (09:37):
If you tell me the answer within seven days of
the feast, I will give you all thirty garments and
thirty changes of clothes.
Speaker 3 (09:47):
But if you cannot tell me the answer, I shall receive.
Speaker 5 (09:50):
From you thirty linen garments and thirty changes of clothes.
Speaker 3 (09:55):
Do we have a deal?
Speaker 5 (09:58):
Give us your riddle very well. Out of the eater
came something to eat. Out of the strong came something sweet.
Speaker 1 (10:09):
The men frowned, their confidence faltering. They had expected a
simple puzzle, but this riddle eluded them. For three days
they pondered, growing increasingly frustrated. On the fourth day, their
patients snapped. They cornered Samson's wife against the stone hall,
away from Samson's sight.
Speaker 3 (10:31):
Your husband has made a fool of us.
Speaker 1 (10:34):
Lapida tried walking away, but was quickly thrown against the wall.
Speaker 4 (10:38):
You will entice your husband to tell us the answer
to that riddle. This Hebrew dog will not make us fools.
Speaker 7 (10:46):
My husband will tear you from limb to limb if
you harm me.
Speaker 3 (10:50):
Of course, that's why.
Speaker 4 (10:52):
Who will do nothing to you when your father's house
will be burned to the ground if you do not
tell us.
Speaker 1 (10:57):
Samson's wife held back tears and stood up straight.
Speaker 7 (11:01):
Very well. I will convince him to tell me the answer.
Speaker 1 (11:06):
That night, she approached Samson with false smiles and soft words.
Wrapping her arms around his neck, she whispered in his ear.
Speaker 7 (11:15):
Come to bed with me, my love.
Speaker 1 (11:17):
Samson agreed without protest. She took his hand and led
him into the chambers. She ran her fingers through his
long hair and brought him in close for a kiss.
Speaker 7 (11:28):
How is it that you've managed to outwit every man
in the city with your riddle? Tell me the answer
to your riddle?
Speaker 5 (11:36):
Hm, my sweet the answer to the riddle is mine
and mine.
Speaker 1 (11:42):
Alt Samson's wife pushed back and furrowed her brow.
Speaker 7 (11:48):
Do you hate me so much that you wouldn't even
share it with your wife?
Speaker 5 (11:51):
I I love neither my father nor mother. No, why
should I tell you?
Speaker 7 (11:59):
Why should you tell me?
Speaker 5 (12:01):
Ah?
Speaker 7 (12:01):
I'm your wife. We share a bit. You are flaunting
this riddle up before everyone and leaving me out of
it on purpose? Do you want me to feel stupid?
Speaker 3 (12:13):
This is absurd.
Speaker 5 (12:14):
If you want to know the answer so badly, I
suppose you will have to think harder.
Speaker 1 (12:18):
Lapida stormed from the room, her anger feigned but convincing.
For days, she wore him down, her persistence as relentless
as the Philistine's threats.
Speaker 7 (12:30):
In my whole life, I would never have imagined having
a husband so callous and withholding. This just proves how
childish you are not even willing to share a stupid
riddle with me. I doubt you even have an answer.
You're just stalling. If you actually had an answer, you'd
tell me. Child, You're a child, tell me, tell me.
Speaker 5 (12:54):
Tell me enough.
Speaker 3 (12:56):
Oho.
Speaker 5 (12:59):
Ah, you've done it. You've done what I thought was impossible.
You've worn me down. Woman, you have successfully chiseled at
my sanity, and I will endure it no longer.
Speaker 3 (13:12):
I will give you your answer.
Speaker 7 (13:15):
Finally. Oh, thank you, my love.
Speaker 1 (13:19):
She threw her arms around him. Samson, confused, angry and
worn down, told her the answer.
Speaker 3 (13:28):
Ah, the eater is the lion. My slaved new vineyard.
Speaker 5 (13:34):
Days later, bees made their hive in the lion's carcass,
and there was sweet honey. Out of the eater came
something to eat. Out of the straw came something sweet.
Speaker 1 (13:48):
She kissed him, but offered no thanks. As soon as
he turned away, she hurried to the Philistines and revealed
the answer. On the final day of the feast, the
men approached Samson with smug grins.
Speaker 3 (14:06):
It's the seventh day. Are you prepared to give me
my garments? Shall I give you my size?
Speaker 1 (14:15):
One of the men leaned forward and folded his hands.
Speaker 4 (14:18):
Certainly, Samson, you have truly outwitted us, But surely you
will allow us one final guess.
Speaker 5 (14:25):
Of course, it makes no difference. You'll never guess.
Speaker 1 (14:30):
The young man paused for effect and tilted his head
to the side.
Speaker 5 (14:35):
It truly is a puzzling I would assume some of
the greatest seers.
Speaker 3 (14:39):
Of our time may never be able to answer it. However,
perhaps I let me answer with two questions. What is
sweeter than hon what is stronger than alone?
Speaker 1 (14:51):
The whole erupted with laughter, but Samson's smile faded. His
gaze turned to Lapida, who his eyes. Rage burned in
his chest, but he masked it with a chilling calm.
Speaker 5 (15:07):
If you hadn't plowed my have for you would not
have found out my riddle.
Speaker 3 (15:14):
Tell me, do you think that is fair?
Speaker 1 (15:17):
The hall fell silent as Samson stood, his massive frame,
casting a long shadow.
Speaker 3 (15:24):
I shall return with your garments. Gentlemen, don't go anywhere.
Speaker 1 (15:28):
He slammed the door behind him, the frame splintering under
his strength. The men exchanged uneasy glances, the weight of
their mistake dawning upon them. Samson burned with rage, his
humiliation stoking a fire in his chest that would not
be quenched. His pride, bruised by betrayal and mockery, now
(15:53):
demanded retribution. The spirit of the Lord, fierce and unrelenting,
flowed through his head. He marched from Timna toward the
philistine city of ashgalon his steps thunderous as a storm,
rolling in from the sea and the city's gates, A
cluster of guards spotted his approach.
Speaker 2 (16:15):
Hebrew, stop right there.
Speaker 1 (16:18):
The guards threw their spears. Samson didn't stop.
Speaker 2 (16:23):
This is your last warning, dog, run back to your den.
Speaker 1 (16:28):
But Samson's pace quickened, a job that became a charge,
his massive frame hurtling toward them like a war horse
in battle. The guards braced themselves, lowering their spears, but
they were as sadlings before an inevitable sor. Samson seized
the nearest spear, snapping it in two as if it
(16:50):
were dry kindling. With a single hand, he gripped the
armored guard and hurled him into his companions. Two more
rushed at him. Samson and leapt between them, his movements
impossibly swift. He seized them by their necks and smashed
their heads together. The sickening crack of bone echoing off
the city walls. The remaining guards retreated, their faces pale
(17:15):
with terror.
Speaker 7 (17:16):
He is no man.
Speaker 1 (17:18):
The gates of Ashcalon were no barrier to him. Samson
stormed into the city, his fists and feet as deadly
as any blade. One by one, he kicked down the
doors of thirty houses, each time dragging their occupants into
the streets. He killed them with the ease of a butcher,
(17:38):
Felling livestock. Blood painted his hands and arms, His breath
ragged as he stripped the dead of their garments. When
his work was done, Samson hefted the sack of stolen
clothing over his shoulder and began his march out of
the city. A lone guard, trembling with a torch and
(18:00):
sword charged. Samson caught the blade mid swing, twisted it
from the man's grip, and struck him unconscious with a
single head button Taking the torch, Samson set the dry
brush at the city's edge aflame. The fire spread quickly,
climbing the walls and licking at the fields beyond. He
(18:22):
walked away as the city burned behind him, his path
lit by the inferno, his shadow cast long against the smoke,
darkened sky. The wedding feast had ended with silence and dread.
(18:42):
Guests stood outside the hall, their eyes fixed on the horizon,
now alight with flames. Smoke rose in thick columns, carrying
with it the faint screams of the people of Ascalon.
Samson returned to Timna, his face colder stone. He dropped
the sack of garments at the feet of the men
(19:04):
who had bested his riddle. Reaching into the sack, he
pulled out a fine linen robe and used it to
wipe the grime from his face.
Speaker 3 (19:14):
Here you are, my friends. I promised you all new garments.
I'm a man of my word. What have you done?
Those were our kin mm hmm.
Speaker 5 (19:29):
I simply went and fetched what I promised. You, philistine,
consider yourself blessed. I hosted you for a week, fed you,
and now you leave with new garments.
Speaker 1 (19:45):
The crowd stood frozen without another glance. Samson turned and
strode away, his steps heavy with purpose. He left his
bride behind. Samson's path was not one of heroism, but
of destruction, a road paved with his unchecked passions and
(20:06):
untempered pride. Yet, even in his ignorance and folly, the
hand of God moved through him. He was not a savior,
not a man of noble character or steadfast courage, but
a tool sharp and brutal, used to tear down the
oppressors of Israel. But this was only the beginning of
(20:30):
his story. The fire that burned within Samson would consume
all in its path, and yet through that ruin, redemption
would come, as only the Lord could will it.
Speaker 6 (20:49):
What a haunting story here we have a man with
strength that could shake the earth, strength given by God
no less. But instead of fighting as people, he chases
his desires, using power to satisfy his very own cravings.
A philistine woman catches his eye, and he wants her,
(21:10):
not for love, not for God's purpose, but simply because
he sees and he desires. And then a lion ripped
apart by his hands like it's nothing. This isn't a
tale of quiet devotion. It's a raw, unsettling glimpse into
what happens when God's gifts are given to unyielding hands.
(21:35):
What we're wrestling with here isn't just the story of
one man or one desire. It's a question that cuts deep.
What happens when a gift from God is used for
human desires. To be chosen by God is a weighty thing,
isn't it. It's a calling, a demand for a life
of sacrifice, holiness, and self control. And yet here we
(21:58):
see the opposite, a man driven by impulse, by the
urge to consume and conquer. Samson is chosen, yes, but
he hasn't yielded. He hasn't yielded to God's will, but
to his own. Our desires aren't simply emotions to be
followed or denied, They are forces to be directed. The
(22:19):
Jewish sages teach that are yeatser hurrah, our evil inclination
isn't evil by nature. It's the part of us that craves,
that wants, that seek satisfaction, And when it's left unchecked,
our yeatsir haurrah, our evil inclination, becomes the very thing
that leads us astray. Take Samson. His strength, passion, and
(22:43):
power were never meant to be denied, but rather directed
and channeled to holiness. His role was supposed to be
to protect Israel and carry God's strength, but instead he
became a slave to his own impulses, bending his gift
towards soul gratification. Our scriptures are filled with stories of
(23:05):
flawed heroes, and they're there to remind each one of
us that a life without restraint is a life headed
for destruction. Samson's strength is divine, yes, but his motives
they are very human. As we've seen so far, and
as we'll see in the following episodes, Samson's life was
(23:26):
a difficult and a violent one. But before we continue
looking at Samson's life, I want to take a closer
look at the moment from this chapter when Samson poses
a riddle to his wedding guests. The riddle refers to
Samson's encounter with the lion, in whose body he found honey.
Part of the riddle in Hebrew was met as yetsa matouk,
(23:49):
which is usually translated as from the strong came forth
the sweet. Now this relates to the sweet honey that
Samson found inside the strong the lion. This part of
the riddle has become a kind of folk saying for
the Jewish people. When it's translated as from the bitter
(24:10):
comes forth the sweet, it's a message we say often
think about it. From the bitter comes forth the sweet.
It's a kind of statement of faith. For the Jewish people,
whose lot has very often been a bitter one. Bitter
attacks by those who wish to destroy us, bitter attacks
(24:33):
of anti Semitism, bitter attacks by Islamic extremists and all
different enemies throughout the ages. But what this saying reminds
us from the bitter comes forth the sweet, is that
in spite of the bitterness, or even from the bitterness,
we've always believed that God would send the sweetness, He'll
(24:55):
send the redemption, He'll send a return to our ancestral land.
And we've seen how from the darkness comes the light,
How from the bitter comes the sweet. It's on the
heels of the Holocaust, where six million Jews were murdered
that I'm speaking to you right now today from Israel.
(25:17):
It's on this backdrop of Christians persecuting the Jewish people
for so many generations that I'm speaking to you today
from Israel, where I lead a ministry, that it's Christians
who are fighting the hatred towards Israel. It's Christians who
are feeding the hungry of Israel, clothing the naked of Israel,
(25:39):
and being the watchman on the walls of Jerusalem. Indeed,
sometimes From bitterness comes sweet This parable came true for
Samson all those years ago, and for us today it
has come true as well. All of our bitterness, and
even among our present bitterness here in Israel, believe will
(26:01):
be turned to sweetness. The dark side of Samson's story
reveals a troubling truth. Strength without submission is just another
form of slavery. Here's a man fills with divine power,
marked by God, set apart from birth. But what does
he do with this gift? He chases after the fleeting,
(26:21):
the temporary lust, vengeance, his own satisfaction. He may be
chosen by God, but Samson serves his desires as if
they were gods in themselves, a gift, no matter how divine,
can be corrupted. My friends, how often do we take
(26:42):
what God has placed in our hands, our skills, our talents,
our influence, and bend them towards our own desires. It's
so easy to let strength become selfishness, to let our
own needs eclipse the very purpose for which we were called.
But here's the truth. Ill, strength isn't in satisfying our
(27:02):
every craving. It's in mastering them, in channeling them towards
the service of something greater. Our gifts from God are
mental lift others, not to indulge our own whims. If
Samson's story shows us anything, it's the danger of letting
our hearts be ruled by desire. When we do, even
(27:22):
gifts from God can become chains, binding us to ourselves.
May we take what we've been given and give it
to God's purposes. May we live not as slaves to
our own cravings, but as servants of the one who
gives us strength. And may we remember strength without surrender
(27:43):
is no strength at all.
Speaker 1 (27:47):
You can listen to The Chosen People with the Isle
ex Stein add free by downloading and subscribing to the
pray dot Com app today. This prey dot Com production
is only made possible by our dedicated team creative talents.
Steve Gattina, Max Bard, Zach Shellabarger and Ben Gammon are
the executive producers of The Chosen People with Yiele Eckstein,
(28:09):
edited by Alberto Avilla, narrated by Paul Coltofianu. Characters are
voiced by Jonathan Gotten, Aaron Salvado, Sarah Seltz, Mike Reagan,
Stephen Ringwold, Sylvia Zaradoc Thomas Copeland Junior Rosanna Pilcher, and
the opening prayer is voiced by John Moore. Music by
Andrew Morgan Smith, written by Aaron Salvato, bre Rosalie and
(28:34):
Chris Baig. Special thanks to Bishop Paul Lanier, Robin van Ettin,
Kayleb Burrows, Jocelyn Fuller, and the team at International Fellowship
of Christians and Jews. You can hear more Prey dot
com productions on the Prey dot com app, available on
the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. If you
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(28:55):
leave a review,
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