Then Samson called to the LORD and said, “O Lord God, please remember me and please strengthen me just this time, O God, that I may at once be avenged of the Philistines for my two eyes.” (Judges 16:28)
The time of the judges was a crazy, lawless time in Israel’s history. This was the period after Israel entered the Promised Land and before they were ruled by kings. Samson was the seventh judge; at the time the Israelites were harassed by the Philistines. God specifically chose Samson, before his conception, to contend with the Philistines. An angel of the Lord appeared to Samson’s mother, who was barren, and told her that she was to have a son. “No razor shall come upon his head, for the child shall be a Nazarite to God from the womb, and he shall begin to save Israel from the hands of the Philistines.” (Judges 13:5)
Samson had tremendous strength and began to save Israel from the hands of the Philistines. He was also crazy, compulsive, and violated all the Nazarite vows. Near the end of his life, he told the secret of his strength to a prostitute, Delilah, who then cut his hair and handed him over to the Philistines, who gouged out his eyes. Weak, blind, and imprisoned, Samson prays this prayer:
“O Lord GOD, please remember me and please strengthen me just this time, O God, that I may at once be avenged of the Philistines for my two eyes.” (Judges 16:28)
It’s important to notice that this is a personal prayer of vengeance for the wrongs that Samson suffered. It’s not a prayer asking God to use him to fulfill God’s plans. However, when God answered his prayer, God did use Samson to deal with the Philistines. This chapter tells us that Samson killed more Philistines in his death than the total amount in his life (v.30). Furthermore, he killed “all the Lords of the Philistines” (v. 27) and even “their god,” Dagon (v.23).
What can we learn from this prayer?
- God answers even the most selfish prayer, and will use the answer to fulfill his purposes.
- Our near-sighted view of the situation doesn’t keep God from working his will through us.
- Samson knew that if God answered his prayer, he would die along with the Philistines. How much are you willing to offer to God?