Part 2 – Strength Begins in the Spirit

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Key Verse

“The Spirit of the LORD began to stir him while he was in Mahaneh Dan, between Zorah and Eshtaol.”
— Judges 13 : 25 (NIV)

1. The Source of Samson’s Strength

Before Samson ever performed a single feat of might, Scripture reveals its source: the Spirit of the LORD. His physical power was not the result of natural muscle, inherited talent, or secret technique, but the manifestation of divine presence. The Hebrew phrase ruach YHWH (Spirit of the LORD) denotes the dynamic, life-giving force by which God empowers chosen servants to accomplish His will.

In Samson’s life, this Spirit functioned not as a constant possession but as a momentary empowerment — coming upon him for specific tasks of deliverance. His hair symbolised consecration, but the power resided in the Spirit. The vow was the condition, not the cause.

2. Manifestations of Divine Empowerment

Across his ministry, four key moments record the Spirit’s intervention:

  1. At Timnah — Courage and First Victory “The Spirit of the LORD came powerfully upon him so that he tore the lion apart with his bare hands.”
    (Judg 14 : 6)
    This first act revealed the Spirit’s immediacy — strength that defied nature.
  2. At Ashkelon — Strength in Judgement “The Spirit of the LORD came powerfully upon him. He went down to Ashkelon, struck down thirty of their men.”
    (Judg 14 : 19)
    The Spirit’s empowerment expressed God’s justice through human agency.
  3. At Lehi — Deliverance with the Jawbone “The Spirit of the LORD came powerfully upon him. Finding a fresh jawbone of a donkey, he struck down a thousand men.”
    (Judg 15 : 14–15)
    Even an unclean object became an instrument of divine victory.
  4. At Gaza — Strength and Presumption
    (Judg 16 : 1–3) Samson tore the city gates from their hinges and carried them away — still under empowerment, yet increasingly careless of its sacred purpose.

These episodes demonstrate that divine strength is not static power to be owned, but a gift activated by God’s will.

3. The Nature of Spiritual Strength

Samson’s story exposes a tension familiar to all believers: the Spirit’s power may rest upon imperfect vessels, but it is never meant to excuse disobedience.
The same Spirit who grants strength also calls for submission.

When Samson acted in faith, God’s strength conquered enemies;
when he acted in pride, the same strength became his snare.
True empowerment therefore demands inward alignment with divine purpose.

The apostle Paul later expressed the same principle:

“The Spirit helps us in our weakness.” (Rom 8 : 26)
Samson’s strength was physical, yet its lesson is spiritual — dependence, not self-confidence, is the secret of enduring power.

4. Theological Reflection

  1. The Spirit is the origin, not the ornament, of strength. Physical ability without the Spirit’s breath achieves nothing of eternal value.
  2. God empowers for mission, not for display. Samson’s greatest victories were meant for Israel’s deliverance, not his own reputation.
  3. Empowerment does not equal approval. The presence of the Spirit in action does not guarantee the pleasure of the Spirit in conduct.
  4. The Spirit stirs before He sends. The “stirring” in Mahaneh Dan illustrates that divine preparation always precedes divine performance.

5. Lesson for Today

True strength begins when self-reliance ends.

Many crave Samson’s power but neglect his source. The Spirit still empowers ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary purposes — not through might, intellect, or charisma, but through yielded hearts.
Strength in ministry, endurance in suffering, and courage in witness all originate in the same Spirit who stirred Samson.

Our task is not to manufacture power but to maintain consecration, that God’s Spirit may freely work through us without hindrance or pride.

Key References

  • The Holy Bible (NIV). (2011). London: Hodder & Stoughton.
  • Block, D. I. (1999) Judges, Ruth: The New American Commentary. Nashville: Broadman & Holman.
  • Webb, B. G. (2012) The Book of Judges: New International Commentary on the Old Testament. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans.
  • Younger, K. L. (2002) Judges and Ruth: NIV Application Commentary. Grand Rapids: Zondervan.
  • Wright, C. J. H. (2004) Old Testament Ethics for the People of God. Leicester: IVP.

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