Judges 14-17

“So [Samson] judged Israel twenty years in the days of the Philistines” (15:20).  Samson’s story displays the chaos and violence of a nation without a leader or functioning government.  God had given laws, but the people were not obeying them.  However, in His mercy, He used “judges” – sometimes even sinners like Samson – to hold back the Philistines from destroying Israel.  Samson’s weakness was apparent from the moment he became an adult (14:3), yet even his sin couldn’t stop God’s purposes.

Samson chose not to cooperate with God, thus missing out on real glory.  But God’s love and mercy are greater than our rebellion.