Bible Discussion on Monday 6th November at 6.30pm led by Rev Jean Bradley

Jean Bradley will be leading the discussion group on the subject of Samson. He is often only thought of as a biblical hero who was made weak through his relationship with Deliah. But Jean would like the group to look more into the character of Samson. Was he resistant to the role he was expected to play as an adult? Or was he a deeply spiritual man who made foolish choices? Can we also see similarities in people's lives in the present day?

If you wish, please read Judges 14 verses 1 - 14

Text of Judges 14.1-14 Once Samson went down to Timnah, and at Timnah he saw a Philistine woman. 2 Then he came up, and told his father and mother, ‘I saw a Philistine woman at Timnah; now get her for me as my wife.’ 3 But his father and mother said to him, ‘Is there not a woman among your kin, or among all our[a] people, that you must go to take a wife from the uncircumcised Philistines?’ But Samson said to his father, ‘Get her for me, because she pleases me.’ 4 His father and mother did not know that this was from the Lord; for he was seeking a pretext to act against the Philistines. At that time the Philistines had dominion over Israel.

5 Then Samson went down with his father and mother to Timnah. When he came to the vineyards of Timnah, suddenly a young lion roared at him. 6 The spirit of the Lord rushed on him, and he tore the lion apart with his bare hands as one might tear apart a kid. But he did not tell his father or his mother what he had done. 7 Then he went down and talked with the woman, and she pleased Samson. 8 After a while he returned to marry her, and he turned aside to see the carcass of the lion, and there was a swarm of bees in the body of the lion, and honey. 9 He scraped it out into his hands, and went on, eating as he went. When he came to his father and mother, he gave some to them, and they ate it. But he did not tell them that he had taken the honey from the carcass of the lion.

10 His father went down to the woman, and Samson made a feast there as the young men were accustomed to do. 11 When the people saw him, they brought thirty companions to be with him. 12 Samson said to them, ‘Let me now put a riddle to you. If you can explain it to me within the seven days of the feast, and find it out, then I will give you thirty linen garments and thirty festal garments. 13 But if you cannot explain it to me, then you shall give me thirty linen garments and thirty festal garments.’ So they said to him, ‘Ask your riddle; let us hear it.’ 14 He said to them, ‘Out of the eater came something to eat. Out of the strong came something sweet.’ But for three days they could not explain the riddle.

Join us at 6.30pm on Monday 6th November.

Zoom link for the meeting 

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82378042367

Meeting ID: 823 7804 2367

Passcode: 460019

Photo credit and thanks: collection.artbma.org