10 Interesting Facts About Samson in the Bible

Samson is one of the most fascinating characters in the Bible. Known for his superhuman strength and dramatic life story, Samson's tale is filled with action, mistakes, and moments of deep spiritual meaning. His story is found in the Book of Judges, chapters 13 through 16. Here are 10 interesting facts about Samson that you might not know, each backed up by Scripture.

1. Samson Was a Nazirite from Birth

Samson wasn’t just a strong man. He was chosen by God before he was even born. An angel told his mother that Samson would be a Nazirite — someone set apart for God's work.

“For behold, you shall conceive and bear a son. No razor shall come upon his head, for the child shall be a Nazirite to God from the womb.”
— Judges 13:5 (ESV)

Nazirites had special rules. They couldn’t drink wine, cut their hair, or touch anything dead.

2. His Strength Came from the Holy Spirit

Samson’s strength didn’t come from big muscles or a secret diet. It came from the Spirit of the Lord. When the Spirit rushed upon him, he could do amazing things.

“Then the Spirit of the Lord rushed upon him, and although he had nothing in his hand, he tore the lion in pieces.”
— Judges 14:6

3. He Killed a Lion with His Bare Hands

While on his way to find a wife, Samson was attacked by a young lion. The Bible says he tore it apart as easily as if it were a young goat.

“Then Samson went down with his father and mother to Timnah, and they came to the vineyards of Timnah. And behold, a young lion came toward him roaring.”
— Judges 14:5

4. He Made a Riddle from the Lion's Carcass

Later, Samson found honey in the lion’s dead body. He ate it and even gave some to his parents. He used this strange moment to make a riddle for his wedding guests.

“Out of the eater came something to eat. Out of the strong came something sweet.”
— Judges 14:14

5. He Once Caught 300 Foxes

To get revenge on the Philistines, Samson caught 300 foxes, tied torches to their tails, and let them loose in the fields.

“So Samson went and caught 300 foxes and took torches. And he turned them tail to tail and put a torch between each pair of tails.”
— Judges 15:4

6. He Killed 1,000 Men with a Donkey’s Jawbone

One of Samson’s most famous battles was when he defeated 1,000 Philistines using only a donkey’s jawbone.

“With the jawbone of a donkey, heaps upon heaps, with the jawbone of a donkey have I struck down a thousand men.”
— Judges 15:16

7. Delilah Was His Downfall

Samson fell in love with a woman named Delilah. She tricked him into telling her the secret of his strength — his uncut hair. She shaved his head while he slept, and his strength left him.

“Then she called, ‘Samson, the Philistines are upon you!’ He awoke from his sleep and thought, ‘I’ll go out as before and shake myself free.’ But he did not know that the Lord had left him.”
— Judges 16:20

8. His Hair Began to Grow Again

Even after he was captured, God wasn’t done with Samson. While he was in prison, his hair started to grow back.

“But the hair of his head began to grow again after it had been shaved.”
— Judges 16:22

9. He Died While Destroying a Pagan Temple

In his final act, Samson prayed for strength one last time. God answered, and Samson pushed down the pillars of a Philistine temple, killing himself and thousands of enemies.

“Let me die with the Philistines!” Then he bowed with all his strength, and the house fell upon the lords and upon all the people who were in it.”
— Judges 16:30

10. He’s Listed in the Hall of Faith

Despite his failures, Samson is honored in the New Testament for his faith. He is named in Hebrews 11, among other great heroes of the faith.

“And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah...”
— Hebrews 11:32

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