Samson

Samson (Judges 13–16)

David A. Dorsey, The Literary Structure of the Old Testament

1. a
   Samson's birth13:1–25chronological note; his parents see God and do not die; reference to "day of his (Samson's) death"; Samson grows up between Zorah and Eshtaol; mention of Manoah
2. b
   Samson betrays his secret to his Philistine wife14:1–20begins: Samson falls in love with woman in Sorek Valley; Philistines threaten to burn woman's house down if she will not entice (pth) Samson to betray secret; woman initially fails; but when she questions his love for her, he finally reveals his secret to her; and she tells the Philistines; keyword: tell (lēhaggîd); setting: Sorek Valley (Timnah)
3. c
   Samson visits wife at Timnah15:1–8angered by Philistines and destroys town's fields; begins: Samson goes (bwʾ) to visit his wife; ends: Samson goes down to Etam
4. d
   TURNING POINT: Samson kills one thousand Philistines with jawbone of ass15:9–20fellow Israelites reject Samson's leadership and Philistines begin to take the initiative against him; summary of years of Samson's judgeship
5. c′
   Samson visits prostitute at Gaza16:1–3opposed by Philistines and destroys town's gates; begins: Samson goes (bwʾ) to the Gaza prostitute; ends: Samson takes the Gaza gates up to Hebron
6. b′
   Samson betrays his secret to Delilah16:4–22begins: Samson falls in love with Delilah in Sorek Valley; Philistines offer Delilah gifts to entice (pth) Samson to betray secret; Delilah initially fails; but when she questions his love for her, he finally reveals his secret to her; and she tells the Philistines; keyword: tell (lēhaggîd); setting: Sorek Valley (Delilah's home)
7. a′
   Samson's death16:23–31chronological note; Samson cannot see, and he dies; he is buried between Zorah and Eshtaol; mention of Manoah