These small group study notes contain outlines, cross-references, Bible study discussion questions, lessons to learn, and applications. Feel free to print them, copy them, or share them. I only ask that you remember these are are personal study notes and are only meant as a supplement to your own study, not a replacement. I hope you can find some helpful information inside. Visit our inductive Bible study main page for more studies on this and other books of the Bible.
Judges 16 Inductive Bible Study Notes, Cross References, Outline, and Discussion Questions
Judges 16 - For more information on Samson visit our Samson character study page.
Outline:
Samson and the prostitute (1-3)
Delilah’s first attempt to neutralize Samson’s strength (4-9)
Delilah’s second attempt to neutralize Samson’s strength (10-12)
Delilah’s third attempt to neutralize Samson’s strength (13-14)
Samson finally tells the secret (15-17)
Delilah betrays him to the Philistines (18-21)
They mock Samson at a large feast celebrating his capture (22-27)
Samson takes vengeance upon the Philistines by “bringing down the house” (28-31)
Question
Are Samson’s actions in verse 1 acceptable? Why not? After all, he wasn’t married and men will be men.
Why would Samson do that to the gatepost of the city?
Did Samson learn from this mistake and repent?
Leviticus 19:29 – Do not make your daughters become prostitutes.
Proverbs 6:26, 23:27 – The dangers of prostitutes.
Proverbs 7:10-27 – A long description of a prostitute, her ways, and the dangers of falling for her trap.
1 Corinthians 6:12-20 – Flee sexual immorality. Don’t unite with a prostitute. Honor God with your body.
What was his next mistake?
Why was this a mistake?
What can you see about his character from this and his encounter with Delilah?
It is clear that Samson had a big weakness for women and lacked self-control. What should he have done to help prevent future sins in this area?
What issues does his lack of judgment touch on? (Marriage, purity, discretion, thinking through actions, lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, boastful pride of life).
If you were Samson’s friend and you say him doing these kinds of things, what would you say to him?
What you can learn and apply to your own life from Samson’s mistakes in this area?
Romans 6:19 – Before you were believers you were impure; after that you should give yourselves to righteousness.
Galatians 5:16-25 – Walk in the Spirit so that you will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh.
1 John 2:15-17 – The lusts of the flesh pass away, but doing the will of God abides forever.
Titus 2:12 – Teaches us to say “no” to ungodliness and youthful lusts and live soberly, righteously and godly…
1 Peter 1:14-16 – Do not conform to the evil desires you had when you were unbelievers, but be holy as God is holy.
Job 31:1 – I made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully at a girl. KJV
2 Timothy 2:22 – Flee youthful desires and pursue righteousness…
Why do you think Samson would continue the relationship with Delilah knowing that she was loyal to the Philistines and trying to have him captured?
Why did Samson lie to her three times? What was he doing? Do you notice any progression with what he said to her?
How would you describe Delilah?
How does she and her affect on Samson compare to the likely affect of an unbelieving spouse/girl friend on her partner
After he lied three times and she kept pestering him, he finally told her the real answer. Why in the world would he do this when it was clear she was working against him?
What was the meaning of long hair to a Nazarite and why would that enable him to be so strong?
Why would God depart from him just because his hair was cut?
What were the results of Samson’s sin? What does this teach us about the affects of sin in our lives?
Proverbs 1:24-31 – The result of disobeying God is that He will not listen to or help you.
Proverbs 1:7 – The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.
Proverbs 2:6 – The Lord gives wisdom.
Proverbs 2:12 – Wisdom will save you from the ways of wicked me
How was Samson’s attitude at the feast? Do you think he was repentant?
Was his decision to take down the house of the Philistines good?
What did that decision show about his character?
Would you call this suicide?
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