The biblical Samson was a Nazirite, or a man who took a vow of total devotion to God. This involved a duty of chastity, a prohibition on alcohol, and the cutting of hair and beard. Samson was called to fulfill his role yet Before birth by God himself. We can read about Samson and his story in the Old Testament book of Judges. To this day he is a symbol of recklessness, naivety, and giving in to temptation.

Samson and Dalilia

Samson was born by God's will to an infertile mother. His father was Manoach. Samson's job was to defend the Israelites from persecution by the Philistines. As an adult, he left his family home and went to the city of Timnah, where he married a Philistine woman. This set the stage for another conflict between the Israelites and the Philistines. Samson was gifted with superhuman strength. In the Book of Judges, there are accounts of him killing a lion with his bare hands. 

Samson spent most of his life dueling with the Philistines. We read in the Bible that he killed at least several thousand of them. The Philistines did everything they could to get rid of him. They killed his wife and father-in-law and then sent an army to subdue him. Samson ended up in the hands of the Philistines. However, using his supernatural strength, he broke the gagging bonds that were holding him and killed a thousand of them.

The Philistines realized that they had no chance in a physical clash with Samson. So they substituted a harlot for him. Dalila, for that was her name name, seduced Samson. She tried to find out the secret of his superhuman strength. Samson in his recklessness revealed the secret to her. It was enough to strip him of his hair. The Philistines cut Samson's hair and then God left him. Stripped of his power, he was blinded by the Philistines and imprisoned and sentenced to death.