Here’s how the study works: Read the chapters mentioned in the heading during the week and share any words, thoughts, verses that stood out to you. Having a week for several chapters creates the opportunity to revisit them and make additional comments as you feel inclined as well as make comments on other people’s insights.
16:28, 30 Then Samson prayed to the LORD, “Sovereign LORD, remember me. Please, God, strengthen me just once more, and let me with one blow get revenge on the Philistines for my two eyes.” … Thus he killed many more when he died than while he lived.
At last Samson shows some desire to return to his calling as God's deliverer from the Philistines (13:5) however it is still tinged with personal revenge.
From Constable's Commentary: "Forty years Samson had kept one part of his vow. He had broken all the other parts, but had kept his hair unshaven, as a sign of his commitment to God. He had not made a very strong commitment or felt a deep faith, but he had trusted God at least in this. There was no magic in his hair. It was only a symbol of his separation to God. But if his hair was shaved Samson's feeble dedication would crumble completely."
16:28, 30 Then Samson prayed to the LORD, “Sovereign LORD, remember me. Please, God, strengthen me just once more, and let me with one blow get revenge on the Philistines for my two eyes.” … Thus he killed many more when he died than while he lived.
At last Samson shows some desire to return to his calling as God's deliverer from the Philistines (13:5) however it is still tinged with personal revenge.
From Constable's Commentary: "Forty years Samson had kept one part of his vow. He had broken all the other parts, but had kept his hair unshaven, as a sign of his commitment to God. He had not made a very strong commitment or felt a deep faith, but he had trusted God at least in this. There was no magic in his hair. It was only a symbol of his separation to God. But if his hair was shaved Samson's feeble dedication would crumble completely."
17:13 And Micah said, “Now I know that the Lord will be good to me, since this Levite has become my priest.”
There are so many things wrong with this statement. 1. Micah was also idol worshipping 2. The Levite he asked to stay hadn't been living in a Levical town. 3. Nor was he a priest but was happy to act as one. Yet Micah expects God to bless him through all this!!
This was superstition not faith. Yet many do the same today. If I go to church, don't smoke, drink, dance… God will bless me. But this is mere superstition not faith.
17:13 And Micah said, “Now I know that the Lord will be good to me, since this Levite has become my priest.”
There are so many things wrong with this statement. 1. Micah was also idol worshipping 2. The Levite he asked to stay hadn't been living in a Levical town. 3. Nor was he a priest but was happy to act as one. Yet Micah expects God to bless him through all this!!
This was superstition not faith. Yet many do the same today. If I go to church, don't smoke, drink, dance… God will bless me. But this is mere superstition not faith.
18:1 In those days Israel had no king. And in those days the tribe of the Danites was seeking a place of their own where they might settle, because they had not yet come into an inheritance among the tribes of Israel.
God had designated land for the Danites but they were unwilling or unable to possess the land God had allotted them and wanted something else that was more attractive.
However it would be smarter if we learnt to be content with what God has given us.
18:1 In those days Israel had no king. And in those days the tribe of the Danites was seeking a place of their own where they might settle, because they had not yet come into an inheritance among the tribes of Israel.
God had designated land for the Danites but they were unwilling or unable to possess the land God had allotted them and wanted something else that was more attractive.
However it would be smarter if we learnt to be content with what God has given us.
19:30 Everyone who saw it was saying to one another, “Such a thing has never been seen or done, not since the day the Israelites came up out of Egypt. Just imagine! We must do something! So speak up!”
A new low is reached in Israel.
From Constable's Commentary: "The disease of a society manifest itself in the abuse of women." This was not God's intention but rather show what happens when people move away from God's commands."
19:30 Everyone who saw it was saying to one another, “Such a thing has never been seen or done, not since the day the Israelites came up out of Egypt. Just imagine! We must do something! So speak up!”
A new low is reached in Israel.
From Constable's Commentary: "The disease of a society manifest itself in the abuse of women." This was not God's intention but rather show what happens when people move away from God's commands."
20:13-14 But the Benjamites would not listen to their fellow Israelites. From their towns they came together at Gibeah to fight against the Israelites.
From Constable's Commentary: "The Benjamites decided to support their kinsmen because they were their relatives, rather than standing with God for what is right."
We see this today in many churches – people will side with their family and friends rather than stand with God's purposes for his church.
20:13-14 But the Benjamites would not listen to their fellow Israelites. From their towns they came together at Gibeah to fight against the Israelites.
From Constable's Commentary: "The Benjamites decided to support their kinsmen because they were their relatives, rather than standing with God for what is right."
We see this today in many churches – people will side with their family and friends rather than stand with God's purposes for his church.