Continuing to look at the sex lives of some of the Biblical heros. Trying to create a biblical list of things considered sexually immoral. Was Paul considering Samson when he said that the sexually immoral (pornoi πόρνοι) will not inherit the kingdom of God. (1 Chor 6:9) Or did pornoi mean something else?
Samson was considered a Nazarite, one set apart and dedicated to God. A Nazirite had to honor three standards: He could not touch a dead body. He could not shave the hair of his head. He could not drink wine, nor touch grapes. The story is told as though Samson was a hero of the faith. Samson was devoted to God, as much as anyone could be in those days, and God was with Samson.
Samson was considered a Nazarite, one set apart and dedicated to God. A Nazirite had to honor three standards: He could not touch a dead body. He could not shave the hair of his head. He could not drink wine, nor touch grapes. The story is told as though Samson was a hero of the faith. Samson was devoted to God, as much as anyone could be in those days, and God was with Samson.
"Manoah’s wife gave birth to a son and named him Samson. The child grew and the Lord empowered him. The Lord’s spirit began to control him in Mahaneh Dan between Zorah and Eshtaol." (Judges 13:24-25)
Samson got married, but gave his bride to his best man.
(Judges 14:20)
Judges 16 starts with “Samson went to Gaza. There he saw a
prostitute and went in to have sex with her.”.
Delilah is another woman (not a wife) that he had sex
with. She tries to find out how he gets his miraculous
strength. Delilah discovers Samson’s secret to his strength:
"My hair has never been cut, for I have been dedicated to God from the time I was conceived. If my head were shaved, my strength would leave me; I would become weak, and be just like all other men." (Judges 16:17)
When Delilah cuts Samson’s hair, he lost his special strength because “the Lord had left him”. God did not leave Samson when Samson gave his wife away to another man. God did not leave Samson when he had sex with a prostitute. God did not leave Samson when he had sex with Delilah. But God left Samson when he got his hair cut.
The way this story is written it seems God cared more about Samson keeping his vow about his hair than he did about any of his sexual relationships.
Continue Reading:
Start from the top:
- Recently Discovered Chapter of Deuteronomy
- Sexuality of: Heros of The Faith
- Biblical Marriage
- Porneia (Sexual Immorality???)
- Take a Old Testament Sexuality Survey Here
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