Samson and Delilah: Samson and Delilah: An AllusionAn Allusion

By:By:

Amanda Cooper, Katy McGee, Andrea Amanda Cooper, Katy McGee, Andrea BachmanBachman

The StoryThe Story

Samson’s parents prayed for a child, and an angel Samson’s parents prayed for a child, and an angel appeared and responded that they would have a child, if appeared and responded that they would have a child, if the child would be a child of God, and he had to be reared the child would be a child of God, and he had to be reared under a Nazarite vow, which means:under a Nazarite vow, which means:

No cutting of the hair.No cutting of the hair. No eating of grapes or raisins.No eating of grapes or raisins. No drinking wine.No drinking wine. Never touching a dead body.Never touching a dead body.

When he grew up, he had the strength of several men, and When he grew up, he had the strength of several men, and this is because he never cut his hair, even though he broke this is because he never cut his hair, even though he broke all of the other rules. all of the other rules.

STORY CONTINUEDSTORY CONTINUED

He fought the Philistines due to the fact that they He fought the Philistines due to the fact that they beat and murdered thousands of Israel’s children. beat and murdered thousands of Israel’s children. Samson single handedly slaughtered thousands Samson single handedly slaughtered thousands of Philistines. In the midst of this, he met a of Philistines. In the midst of this, he met a beautiful lady named Delilah. Samson had a beautiful lady named Delilah. Samson had a weakness for beautiful women, and she was no weakness for beautiful women, and she was no exception. She worked for the Philistines, who exception. She worked for the Philistines, who would pay her large sums of money if she could would pay her large sums of money if she could discover the secret to Samson’s incredible discover the secret to Samson’s incredible strength. He lied to her several times, but finally strength. He lied to her several times, but finally broke down and told her that if she cut off all of broke down and told her that if she cut off all of his hair, his strength would be gone.his hair, his strength would be gone.

STORY CONTINUEDSTORY CONTINUED

Delilah and some Philistines shaved Samson’s Delilah and some Philistines shaved Samson’s head, and his strength was gone. The Philistines head, and his strength was gone. The Philistines then burned out his eyes with a hot poker and then burned out his eyes with a hot poker and chained him to a cement wheel that was used for chained him to a cement wheel that was used for grinding wheat into flour. One day, many years grinding wheat into flour. One day, many years later, he felt the breeze blowing through his hair, later, he felt the breeze blowing through his hair, and prayed to God that He would give Samson one and prayed to God that He would give Samson one more chance. At a festival, Samson broke down a more chance. At a festival, Samson broke down a huge building that resulted in the murder of huge building that resulted in the murder of thousands of Philistines, including Samson himself. thousands of Philistines, including Samson himself. This concluded in Israel winning the war against the This concluded in Israel winning the war against the Philistines. Samson’s destiny, which was to serve Philistines. Samson’s destiny, which was to serve God and save Israel, was fulfilled.God and save Israel, was fulfilled.

Where to find it!Where to find it!

The original story: in the Bible.The original story: in the Bible. Modern day examples:Modern day examples:

“ “Simpson and Delilah” (Season 2, October Simpson and Delilah” (Season 2, October 1818thth 1990) 1990)

The Grateful Dead song: Samson and The Grateful Dead song: Samson and Delilah.Delilah.

Regina Spektor song: SamsonRegina Spektor song: Samson

ALLUSIONS IN THE STORYALLUSIONS IN THE STORY Delilah=the temptress OR the feminist.Delilah=the temptress OR the feminist.

She convinces Samson through her “love” to tell her the secret of She convinces Samson through her “love” to tell her the secret of his strength.his strength.

She gains power and wealth by being clever.She gains power and wealth by being clever. Thus becoming a more powerful role.Thus becoming a more powerful role.

Samson=the hero OR the image of sin.Samson=the hero OR the image of sin. Young and powerful, saves thousands of people single handedly.Young and powerful, saves thousands of people single handedly. Doesn’t always live up to “following the path of God” and his vow.Doesn’t always live up to “following the path of God” and his vow. He’s an example of the consequences of sin.He’s an example of the consequences of sin. In the end he’s still the hero, because he is forgiven and saves In the end he’s still the hero, because he is forgiven and saves

Israel.Israel.

WHY IT MATTERSWHY IT MATTERS

It shows that you shouldn’t test your It shows that you shouldn’t test your fate.fate.

But, if you repent, you have a chance But, if you repent, you have a chance to fix your mistakes.to fix your mistakes.

Don’t use other peoples’ gifts for your Don’t use other peoples’ gifts for your own benefit (Delilah used Samson's own benefit (Delilah used Samson's secret to gain power and wealth).secret to gain power and wealth).

Don’t give into temptation.Don’t give into temptation.