In the immortal lyrics powerfully sung by Sir Tom Jones 'why, why, why Delilah'?
Delilah is only mentioned in one chapter of the Bible - Judges 16. Her name is synonymous with treachery and betrayal, but what do we really know about her?
With a little bit of research I discovered the following;
- she was a woman of Sorek (a valley between Israelite and Philistine territory)
- she has an unknown societal status but at no point in the story she is referred to as a harlot or prostitute which is often assumed
- she appears to be an independent woman because she is not named within the context of having a spouse or male relative
- the meaning of her name is 'languishing' or 'she dwindles'
- scripture says that Samson was in love with her
- her name and story has made it into culture through films, songs and art.
So here are the story highlights …
Samson is a man gifted with strength by God. He is also in love with Delilah. Philistines pay Delilah to find out the source of Samson's strength. Delilah asks Samson three times for the secret, and three times he gives her false information which she works from. Samson finally tells her the secret, Delilah cuts his hair and he loses his strength. (You can read the chapter for the finer details)
I don't know about you, but this is the first time I've looked into the story from Delilah's perspective. Prior to writing this, I've only read the story to learn lessons through Samson. But what is God trying to teach us through the role Delilah plays?
One of the things I realised was that after reading I was left with more questions than answers!!
1. Why did Delilah need the money that the Philistines bribed her with? Was she greedy or desperately in need of finance?
2. Was she as in love with Samson, as he was with her? It would appear not because of her actions in helping the Philistines, but who knows what the relationship dynamics were like.
3. Delilah was upfront with her 3 attempts of questioning Samson about where his strength lay, how to bind him and then acting on the information. Why on earth did Samson not connect with the fact his life was in jeopardy? Was he really that smitten with her?
4. What happened to Delilah after Samson was captured? We don't know anything about her fate or how she felt about her actions and behaviour. Did she feel at all repentant?
So then, is Delilah a cautionary tale?
I mentioned at the start that Delilah's name means 'languishing' and 'she dwindles' and it seems that is exactly what she did to Samson. She caused him to languish and dwindle - his strength left him and his spiritual status was diminished.
Do we need to reflect on the people, situations and things in our lives and determine if any them are causing us to 'languish' and 'diminish'? Maybe a bit of a cull needs to happen - don't let anyone or anything steal that which God has uniquely equipped you to do.
Delilah badgered Samson until "he told her all that was in his heart" (v17). She didn't cherish the trust Samson placed in her by sharing his secret which ultimately led to his downfall.
Be wise who you share your heart with. Guard it for it is the "wellspring of life" (Prov 4:23) There are those who, out of fear or jealousy, may use that information to try and derail you from the call of God on your life. Trusting Him with your heart is always safe, but ask Holy Spirit for wisdom about which people to trust.
After mulling over the character of Delilah I realised that she is the last person I would want to emulate! For whatever reasons she was complicit in greed, betrayal, manipulation, deceit, torture and imprisonment. Her story highlights the importance of pursuing righteousness and holiness, to avoid temptation (easier said than done, I know!), to be wise and to guard your heart.
The truth of the matter is this - our focus should always be on Jesus. Our vision should be full of Him. Each day should be about practising being in His presence and hearing what He has to say.
Why would we want anything else?
But it's a challenge. It's so easy to get distracted.
But thank goodness for His grace! The grace that, like Delilah, we don't deserve but that He gives so freely. The same grace that restored strength to Samson in the last moments of his life, is the same grace gifted to us for every day of our lives.
To end can I just say this? I actually felt sad for Delilah and realised that I had compassion for her. I will probably never, ever know her reasons for doing what she did, or what her life had been prior to that point. How different could she have been with a community of women around her? Women that were supportive, encouraging and gently chastising when the situation required it?
Just a thought …..
Blessings to you beautiful daughter of God - stand firm today in the knowledge of His love.
Sarah x
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