The Watchtower—Study Edition | September 2023
STUDY ARTICLE 37
Rely on Jehovah, as Samson Did
4 Consider an example of Samson’s trust in Jehovah and of the support that God supplied. On one occasion, a Philistine military force had come to capture Samson at Lehi, evidently in Judah. The men of Judah were afraid, so they decided to hand Samson over to the enemy. Samson’s own people bound him securely with two new ropes and brought him to the Philistines. (Judg. 15:9-13) However, “Jehovah’s spirit empowered” Samson and he freed himself from the ropes. He then “found a fresh jawbone of a male donkey,” picked it up, and used it to strike down 1,000 Philistine men!—Read Judges 15:14-16.
5 Why did Samson use the jawbone of a donkey? It was an unconventional weapon, to say the least! No doubt Samson knew that his success depended on Jehovah, not on which weapon he used. Yes, this faithful man used what was available to him to accomplish Jehovah’s will. Clearly, as a result of his reliance on Jehovah, Samson was blessed with great success.
The Bible story of Samson truly is a Hollywood production. He is handsome, falls in love with beautiful Delilah, his hair makes him strong beyond human capabilities, kills a lion with his bare hands, brings down Colosseum concrete supports that kills himself and many others, and kills 1000 military men with a jawbone.
Ask yourself: Can one man really kill 1000 military men that are carrying swords, arrows, spears with brute numbers? Why didn't they throw their all their spears at him? Why didn't they surround him? Why didn't they attack him all at one time? How come Samson didn't get tired swinging the jawbone around?
I think that the Bible had better story productions than today's Hollywood script writers!
