Samson

Joyful music filled the village when mother’s barren womb gave birth. Born to end Philistine pillage, and fill sad, anxious hearts with mirth. No wine or product of the vine, should pass your palate when you dine. No razor sharp should shave your head, a Nazarite from womb till dead. God had a special plan for you, to be a ruler strong and true, and in his hands become the means, to save Dan from the Philistines. You grew up strong in Spirit might and learned to do that which was right. became a judge in Israel land, God made her triumph by your hand. Enticed by lusting of the eyes, you listened not, thought you were wise, “Get her for me, she’s right for me, I care not for what pleases thee.” Danger awaits you youthful one, if you your parents’ counsels shun. The pursuit of carnal pleasure, will rob you of health, and treasure. Hastily you chose to marry, one of whom you should be wary. Your companions Timnath spies, who would one day gouge out your eyes. You teased them with a hard riddle, then pulled off a major fiddle. With threats of death, they made your wife act like a traitor with a knife. Her plaintive pleas prevented sleep, at your refusal, she would weep. At last, the clues you did reveal, causing her heart from fear to heal. When you left town for a long while, your wife did your best friend beguile. This deceitful deed made you gnash, and turn corn crop to char and ash. Your fiery rage sparked seething strife, which hurt the father of your wife. The Philistines to terror turned, father and daughter were both burned. “Eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth,” was your maxim, O foolish youth. To avenge, your beauty’s burning, you went out and started killing. Like teeth of a barracuda, the Philistines pitched in Judah. Their sole mission was to bind you, and with their sharp spears pierce you through. Your own kindred bound you with ropes, raising high the Philistines hopes. Instead of singing your death mass, you slew a thousand men en masse. God extended mercy and grace, even when you sought not his face. But you continued to tempt fate, fearing not to walk enter death’s gate. You left your home on one of your dates, with a harlot in Gaza’s gates. Her men laid wait to seize and kill. You moved the gates up yonder hill. From hill to valley, you descend. Delilah dear will be your end. She will not cease till you reveal, the source of your Achilles heel. She plied you with her plaintive pleas, and nagged you daily without ease. At last, you broke and truly spoke, this time though, you would be the joke. The Philistines shaved your head bald, gouged out your eyes, laughed as you bawled. They bound you fast with fetters strong, then danced and sang a victor’s song. In Gaza’s prison now confined, like human mill, they made you grind. Their beast of burden you became, what disgrace to your family name? With time the strands of hair returned, and with full strength your passion burned. To celebrate Dagon’s great might, the king did all his lords invite. When with wine their hearts were merry, you were brought to be the cherry, on their cake of jubilation, over your humiliation. With the help of your young minder, to the main pillars you were led. You cried to God your defender, then brought down the house on their head. Those who died with you were many. Thousands more than the whole tally, of those you slew in your lifespan, but this was not part of God’s plan. Youthful citizens of the world, full of potential yet unfurled. Do not in sin’s valley dally, living your days shillyshally. Seek after God, find your calling, He will keep your life from stalling. Serve him with body, mind, and soul. Make pleasing Him your greatest goal.