Delilah
The Philistine Temptress
Philistine woman who betrayed Samson for eleven hundred pieces of silver from each lord.
Delilah of the valley of Sorek (Judges 16:4) is forever joined to the fall of Samson. Hired by the lords of the Philistines, she pried out the secret of his Nazarite strength and delivered him to his enemies.
Her Story
Samson loved Delilah. The Philistine lords offered her eleven hundred pieces of silver each to discover the source of his strength. Three times he lied; three times she tried to bind him. Wearying him daily with her words, she at last drew the secret from him: no razor had touched his head. She lulled him to sleep upon her knees, called for a man to shave the seven locks, and cried, 'The Philistines be upon thee, Samson.' He awoke not knowing the LORD had departed from him. The Philistines put out his eyes and bound him to grind in the prison house — until he prayed once more and pulled down the temple of Dagon upon himself and them.
What Scripture Teaches
- 1Loved by Samson in the valley of Sorek (Judges 16:4)
- 2Bribed by the Philistine lords (16:5)
- 3Discovered the Nazarite secret of his strength (16:17)
- 4Delivered him bound and shaven to his enemies (16:19-21)
Key KJV Scriptures
"And the lords of the Philistines came up unto her, and said unto her, Entice him, and see wherein his great strength lieth..."
"And she made him sleep upon her knees; and she called for a man, and she caused him to shave off the seven locks of his head..."
Why It Matters
Delilah is a warning against persistent temptation in the place of intimacy. The strongest man of the Old Testament was undone not by armies but by ungoverned affection.
Application for Today
Guard the heart. The voice you sleep next to will shape what you confess. Sin entertained becomes sin enthroned.
Frequently Asked Questions
Was Delilah Samson's wife?
Scripture does not call her his wife — only that Samson loved her. Their relationship was illicit, fitting his pattern of forbidden Philistine entanglements.
Continue Your Study
Read the full chapters (KJV)
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Continue your study with related content from across our library:
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