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God Remembered, May 10
Judges 16:24-31
And Samson called unto the Lord, and said, O Lord God, Remember me.
Judges 16:28
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In suffering and humiliation, a sport for the Philistines, Samson learned more
of his own weakness than he had ever known before; and his afflictions led him
to repentance. As his hair grew, his power gradually returned; but his enemies,
regarding him as a fettered and helpless prisoner, felt no apprehensions.
The Philistines ascribed their victory to their gods; and, exulting, they defied
the God of Israel. A feast was appointed in honor of Dagon, the fish god, “the
protector of the sea.” From town and country throughout the Philistine plain the
people and their lords assembled. Throngs of worshipers filled the vast temple
and crowded the galleries about the roof. It was a scene of festivity and rejoicing.
There was the pomp of the sacrificial service, followed by music and feasting.
Then, as the crowning trophy of Dagon’s power, Samson was brought in. Shouts
of exultation greeted his appearance. People and rulers mocked his misery and
adored the god who had overthrown “the destroyer of their country.” After a
time, as if weary, Samson asked permission to rest against the two central pillars
which supported the temple roof. Then he silently uttered the prayer, “O Lord
God, remember me, I pray thee, and strengthen me, I pray thee, only this once,
O God, that I may be at once avenged of the Philistines.” With these words he
encircled the pillars with his mighty arms; and crying, “Let me die with the
Philistines!” he bowed himself, and the roof fell, destroying at one crash all that
vast multitude. “So the dead which he slew at his death were more than they
which he slew in his life.”
The idol and its worshipers, priest and peasant, warrior and noble, were
buried together beneath the ruins of Dagon’s temple. And among them was the
giant form of him whom God had chosen to be the deliverer of His people
The contest, instead of being between Samson and the Philistines, was now
between Jehovah and Dagon, and thus the Lord was moved to assert His almighty
power and His supreme authority
[137]
21
Patriarchs and Prophets, 566, 567
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22
The S.D.A. Bible Commentary 2:1007, 1008
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141