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    Judges 16 (KJV)

    Read Judges chapter 16 in the King James Version of the Holy Bible.

    Judges 16

    Deep Verse Commentaries in This Chapter

    Judges 16:28

    "And Samson called unto the LORD, and said, O Lord GOD, remem…"

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    Judges 16 Summary

    Judges 16 tells the tragic downfall of Samson — Israel's strongest man brought low by his weakest area. Delilah, bribed by the Philistine lords, persistently asks Samson the secret of his strength. Three times he lies; the fourth time, 'he told her all his heart' — his uncut hair symbolized his Nazirite vow to God.

    Delilah shaves his head while he sleeps, and 'he wist not that the LORD was departed from him.' Captured, blinded, and enslaved, Samson grinds grain in a Philistine prison. But the chapter ends with redemption: his hair grows back, and in a final prayer, Samson brings down the temple of Dagon, killing more Philistines in his death than in his life.

    Key Themes

    Samson and DelilahStrength and weaknessBroken vowsConsequences of compromiseRedemption in death

    Key Verses in Judges 16

    "And he wist not that the LORD was departed from him."

    — Judges 16:20

    The most chilling line in Judges — losing God's presence without realizing it.

    "O Lord GOD, remember me, I pray thee, and strengthen me, I pray thee, only this once, O God."

    — Judges 16:28

    Samson's final prayer — repentance and dependence replace self-reliance.

    "He told her all his heart."

    — Judges 16:17

    The moment of surrender — Samson gives away his secret not because of love but because of relentless pressure.

    Life Application

    Samson's story warns that extraordinary gifting doesn't protect against ordinary temptation. His downfall wasn't sudden — it was the culmination of a lifetime of small compromises. Yet even at rock bottom, blinded and chained, Samson prayed — and God answered. This chapter teaches that it's never too late to turn back to God, even when the consequences of sin remain.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Was Samson's strength in his hair?

    Samson's strength came from God's Spirit, not his hair. The uncut hair was the visible sign of his Nazirite vow — his covenant commitment to God. When the hair was cut, it symbolized the broken vow, and God's Spirit departed. The hair was a sign; God was the source.

    Is Samson considered a hero of faith?

    Despite his many failures, Hebrews 11:32 lists Samson among the heroes of faith. His final act — praying for strength and bringing down the Philistine temple — demonstrated genuine faith. He is a complex figure: deeply flawed yet ultimately used by God.

    Read the full summary of Judges

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