How do you fell about Samson?

[jimmyrrs]

Did Samson commit suicide or as he said in Judges 16:28; "that I may be at once avenge of the Philistines for my two eyes."

Webster online: Suicide; the act or an instance of taking one's own life voluntarily and intentionally especially by a person of years of discretion and of sound mind; one that commits or attempts suicide; of or relating to suicide; especially : being or performing a deliberate act resulting in the voluntary death of the person who does it; to commit suicide; to put (oneself) to death.

Avenged; to take vengeance for or on behalf of; to exact satisfaction for (a wrong) by punishing the wrongdoer

I'm not asking if Samson will make it or has made it into heaven. I understad that it was on the other side of the cross as some may say. I also understand that it was a time of war (fighting) with the Philistines.
I'm just want to see how some people view it and why?

[jimmyrrs]

Sorry about the title. Should read "How do you feel about Samson?"

[Baron1710]

Hebrews 11:32 (New International Version)

And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the prophets,

He made it.

I don't think what Samson did was similiar to when someone jumps on a grenade. yes he knew it would end his life but that wasn't why he was doing it.

[jimmyrrs]

Dear Baron, you wrote, "I don't think what Samson did was similiar to when someone jumps on a grenade. yes he knew it would end his life but that wasn't why he was doing it."

Please explain.

When a man jumps on a grenade to save a friend most call it a act of bravery. If he knew his life would be ended why did he do it?

[Baron1710]

Dear Baron, you wrote, "I don't think what Samson did was similiar to when someone jumps on a grenade. yes he knew it would end his life but that wasn't why he was doing it."

Please explain.

When a man jumps on a grenade to save a friend most call it a act of bravery. If he knew his life would be ended why did he do it?

His job was to kill Philistines.

[Timmy]

Main reason: revenge for blinding him. Secondary reason: suicide. Judges 16:30 "And Samson said, Let me die with the Philistines. ..." And God apparently approved. Couldn't have happened without His help, I'd say -- pulling down the pillars that held up a house large enough for 3000 people on the roof.

[jimmyrrs]

His job was to kill Philistines.

Baron, I understand your answer and respect it and have read Judges 13:5; where he shall begin to deliver Israel out of the hand of the Philistines. I know I may be getting into a gray area here, but just because it was his job to kill the Philistines, does that give him the right to take his own life while doing it? Some may say that Samson did not know he would die but I think different cause Judges 16:30.
I also relize that he called upon the Lord and ask for him to remember him and give him strength.

[Sam]

In my opinion, Samson did know that he was taking his own life along with the lives of many others. Did he want to die rather than to face life never seeing again? Did he want revenge? Was he bitter about how his life had turned out? Did he give himself as a sacrifice like someone throwing himself on a grenade? I don't know what all went through his mind. I do know that he was a man called and anointed by God and a very human person at the same time like any of God's servants. Thank God we serve a loving and merciful God!!

[jimmyrrs]

I too beleive that Samson knew what he was doing. I have heard few people talk (preach) about Samson taking his own life or avenging it. Samson was a great man used by God. This is one case study that could go either way depending on your stand. As we all know the Lord will be the judge.
On a different note Sam, have you read or ever heard that his hair grew out again during his time with the Philiistines?

[Sam]

21 Then the Philistines took him and put out his eyes, and brought him down to Gaza. They bound him with bronze fetters, and he became a grinder in the prison. 22 However, the hair of his head began to grow again after it had been shaven. 23 Now the lords of the Philistines gathered together to offer a great sacrifice to Dagon their god, and to rejoice. And they said:
“Our god has delivered into our hands Samson our enemy!”
24 When the people saw him, they praised their god; for they said:
“Our god has delivered into our hands our enemy,
The destroyer of our land,
And the one who multiplied our dead.”
25 So it happened, when their hearts were merry, that they said, “Call for Samson, that he may perform for us.” So they called for Samson from the prison, and he performed for them. And they stationed him between the pillars. 26 Then Samson said to the lad who held him by the hand, “Let me feel the pillars which support the temple, so that I can lean on them.” 27 Now the temple was full of men and women. All the lords of the Philistines were there—about three thousand men and women on the roof watching while Samson performed.
28 Then Samson called to the LORD, saying, “O Lord GOD, remember me, I pray! Strengthen me, I pray, just this once, O God, that I may with one blow take vengeance on the Philistines for my two eyes!” 29 And Samson took hold of the two middle pillars which supported the temple, and he braced himself against them, one on his right and the other on his left. 30 Then Samson said, “Let me die with the Philistines!” And he pushed with all his might, and the temple fell on the lords and all the people who were in it. So the dead that he killed at his death were more than he had killed in his life.
31 And his brothers and all his father’s household came down and took him, and brought him up and buried him between Zorah and Eshtaol in the tomb of his father Manoah. He had judged Israel twenty years.

[jimmyrrs]

Brother, I had read over that and for some reason I guess I had a senior moment. Just goes to so that you must slow down when you read.
I knew I had heard it or read it. Just don't know it was under my nose.:ursofunny

[mfblume]

Sorry about the title. Should read "How do you feel about Samson?"

Samson only committed any form of suicide similar to a soldier who knew going to war would kill him.

Anyway, this is deep waters section. lol Another question?

[tstew]

How does this tie into the concept of "greater love has no man than that he lay down his life for a friend", if at all?