Shoftim Chapters 15–16: Shimson's Stories - Continued

Today's chapters continue the stories of Shimshon. Shimshon's character and the narratives around him are unusual and surprising in comparison to the familiar patterns in the Book of Shoftim. Perhaps this is a trend that intensifies as the book progresses — the stories become more and more questionable until we sadly reach the episode of the Levite's concubine (פילגש בגבעה).

Shimshon's stories leave readers confused on two levels. The first is the relationship between Shimshon and God. On the one hand, it is said several times that the Spirit of the Lord seized him, indicating that God was with him. On the other hand, Shimshon's method of delivering Israel is highly questionable — the stories depict actions suggesting Shimshon is driven by desires for women and honor. Another significant gap in Shimshon's role as a judge is his relationship with the people of Israel. For the other judges, it is clear that the judge is the people's representative and leader. But in Shimshon’s stories, he seems to act on his own, focusing on his personal adventures, while along the way he enacts aggressive vengeance on the Philistines. This gap is especially apparent when the men of Judah come to arrest Shimshon and hand him over to the Philistines (Shoftim 15:11–13) — suddenly, it becomes clear that the people actually oppose Shimshon’s actions. The Sages also grappled with Shimshon’s character (see Talmud Bavli, Sotah 9b–10a).

A key verse for understanding Shimshon’s stories is found back in Chapter 14: “His father and mother did not know that this was from the Lord, for he was seeking a pretext against the Philistines. At that time, the Philistines were ruling over Israel" (Shoftim 14:4). Who’s seeking a pretext — Shimshon or God? Is Shimshon acting for God’s purposes, or is he driven by his own desires while God orchestrates events for the deliverance of His people?

Perhaps we should distinguish between two parts in Shimshon's stories. In the story of the Timnite woman, with its various episodes up to the end of Chapter 15, one might say that Shimshon acted with positive intentions (albeit in a questionable manner) and even succeeded in establishing his position as a judge whom the people accepted; Chapter 15 concludes with the words, "And he judged Israel during the Philistine era for twenty years" (15:20). However, in the story of Delila, the verses indicate that Shimshon's actions stemmed from personal desire — "Afterward it happened that he fell in love with a woman from Sorek Stream whose name was Delila" (16:4); indeed, this story ends with Shimshon’s downfall: his love for Delila overtakes his judgment and his role as a judge. The Sages noted this, saying, "Shimshon followed his eyes; therefore, the Philistines gouged out his eyes" (Mishna, Sota 1:8). Shimshon’s fall led to a great desecration of God’s name, as the verses elaborate on the Philistines’ praise of their god for defeating Shimshon. Perhaps this is why God granted Shimshon’s final prayer; although the reason Shimshon gives for his request is "Let me take revenge against the Philistines … for both my eyes" (16:28) — Shimshon, even in his last moments, seeks personal revenge against the Philistines.

This may also relate to the idea mentioned yesterday: Manoach was told by his wife about Shimshon’s destiny as a Nazirite, but not about his role as Israel’s deliverer. This could explain why throughout the chapters, Shimshon develops as a great hero before God (as a Nazirite) but not as a judge who cooperates with Israel for their deliverance.

For more about Shimshon - a reluctant savior, see this shiur by Prof. Uriel Simon, Tanakh Study Days 5770.

For a literary and conceptual review of Shimshon's stories, see this article by Dr. Chagai Misgav.