So Delilah said to Samson, “Tell me why you are so strong. How can someone tie you up and capture you?” Samson answered, “Someone would have to tie me up with seven new bowstrings that have not been dried. Then I would be as weak as any other man.” The Philistine rulers brought Delilah seven new bowstrings that had not been dried, and she tied Samson with them. Some men were hiding in another room. Delilah said to him, “Samson, the Philistines are here!” But Samson broke the bowstrings like pieces of burned string. So the Philistines did not find out the secret of Samson’s strength. Then Delilah said to Samson, “You made a fool of me. You lied to me. Now tell me how someone can tie you up.” Samson said, “They would have to tie me with new ropes that have not been used before. Then I would become as weak as any other man.” So Delilah took new ropes and tied Samson. Some men were hiding in another room. She called out to him, “Samson, the Philistines are here!” But he broke the ropes as easily as if they were threads. Then Delilah said to Samson, “Again you have made a fool of me. You lied to me. Tell me how someone can tie you up.” He said, “Using the loom, weave the seven braids of my hair into the cloth, and tighten it with a pin. Then I will be as weak as any other man.” While Samson slept, Delilah wove the seven braids of his hair into the cloth. Then she fastened it with a pin. Again she said to him, “Samson, the Philistines are here!” Samson woke up and pulled out the pin and the loom with the cloth. Then Delilah said to him, “How can you say, ‘I love you,’ when you don’t even trust me? This is the third time you have made a fool of me. You haven’t told me the secret of your great strength.” She kept bothering Samson about his secret day after day until he felt he was going to die! So he told her everything. He said, “I have never had my hair cut, because I have been set apart to God as a Nazirite since I was born. If someone shaved my head, I would lose my strength and be as weak as any other man.”
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Compare All Versions: Judges 16:6-17
3 Days
Be inspired through this 3-day reading plan of hope which will help readers understand the biblical story of Samson and Delilah on a deeper level and how to rely on God's strength instead of our own.
4 Days
Caterpillars turn into butterflies… Tadpoles turn into frogs... Kittens turn into villains plotting our demise… Transformation happens all around us! When we choose to follow Jesus, He changes EVERYTHING, especially our thoughts. Join in as we explore how God helps us take control of our thinking when we choose to trust in Him.
How can the heroes of the Bible inspire us to greatness? Join us in this four-day reading plan as Kristi Krauss motivates us with Samson's immense strength, Ruth's faithfulness, Samuel's lifelong devotion, and King Saul's self-will. Don't be surprised if these testimonies transform your life.
5 days
The Essential 100® Bible Challenge is a simple tool to read through the Big Story of God's Word. The reading plan is based on 50 Old Testament and 50 New Testament passages. Continue with the sixth part "The Judges." ®Produced by American Bible Society in partnership with Scripture Union, Inc.
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