Samson & Delilah: Star Struggles, The Storyline

So the woman came and told her husband, saying, 'A Man of God came to me, and His countenance was like the countenance of the Angel of God, very awesome; but I did not ask Him where He was from, and He did not tell me His name. And He said to me, ' 'Behold, you shall conceive and bear a son. Now drink no wine or similar drink, nor eat anything unclean, for the child shall be a Nazirite to God, from the womb to the day of his death.' '

Judges 13:6-7 (NKJV)

At the dawn of Hollywood blockbusters, Samson and Delilah* moved to prime time… under the hand of Cecil B. DeMille, with Victor Mature and Hedy Lamarr.

It received five Oscar nominations in 1950. Modern directors still reenact this biblical drama, because people can relate to the plot, and because flawed heroes captivate us.

God doesn't focus on his heroics– nor his 20 years as Israel’s judge. Instead, God details the strong man’s parents, friends, and painful personal struggles. Why?

I believe it’s to help us with our own.

Fully relevant to actors, models, and talent for Christ are each of the challenges Samson faced. They read like storylines of modern stars. Consider two prequels and one outcome (which you must avoid):

  • PREQUEL: Stars are gifted with visible talents. So was Sampson.

  • PREQUEL: Stars find their way into big destinies. So did Sampson.

  • OUTCOME TO AVOID: Some stars fall hard through crippling temptations.

Samson was crippled…by the bewitching style of Delilah:

'With her enticing speech she caused him to yield, with her flattering lips she seduced him. Immediately he went after her, as an ox goes to the slaughter, or as a fool to the correction of the stocks... and all who were slain by her were strong men' (Proverbs 7:21-22, 26).

Here's a glimpse of Samson's plot:

  • His birth is heralded by an angel. He must adhere to strict Nazirite vows.**

  • His destiny? To free Israel from Philistine rule. His strength? No less than today’s Marvel-ous heroes.

  • He runs around with a bad crowd of friends and has difficulty keeping his vows.

  • He’s a gamer, a show-off, and a star, who has a big heart and lives a big life.

  • He falls in love with the wrong kind of girl, especially the last (and fatal) one:

  • Delilah learns the secret of his strength, cuts it off, and sells him out… for money.

  • The Philistines, Israel’s dreaded foes, blind Samson and make him their trophy slave.

  • Humbled and hobbled, the enslaved hero prays once more to the God of Israel, to the God he seemed to take for granted.

  • He got one last hurrah: triumph in death! He fulfills his God-given destiny.

Samson & Delilah: Star Struggles, The Storyline (Part 1)

* Synopsis of Samson and Delilah: http://christianity.about.com/od/biblestorysummaries/p/samsondelilah.htm

* Commentary on Samson and Delilah: http://www.gotquestions.org/Samson-and-Delilah.html

** Samson and the Nazirite vows: http://www.biblestudyplanet.com/bio33.htm

NOTE: This is a 2023 update of a 2013 Carey Lewis Devotion. You may see notes to 'Actors, Models & Talent for Christ.' If you think you're not in show business, think again. Shakespeare said, 'All the world's a stage and all its men and women merely players. Mostly true. But you're not merely players. You are messengers and ambassadors for the King of kings.

Carey Arban