Samson's final showdown

In chapter 16, in the book of Judges, Samson fell in love with Delilah.  But what Samson didn't know was that five Philistine kings bribed her with a silver pieces if she would find out the secret to Samson's power.

She tried again and again, with each failed attempt making her look like a fool.  Then, one night, Samson was tired and told her about his hair.  She knew this was the truth, and had his hair cut and thrown in bronze chains.

The Philistine kings rejoiced.  They threw a grand feast.  What they didn't know was that Samson's hair was starting to row back.  They brought him to the feast and set him up between two pillars.  Samson prayed to God for one last ounce of strength to push the pillars over.  God complied.  Samson pushed the pillars over, killing everyone inside, from the Philistine kings to himself.

Samson and the jawbone

Of all the stories we're familiar with Samson, there is nothing more memorable than the events in chapter 15 in the book of Judges.

Samson was out harvesting and then decided to bring her new bride a young goat.  His father-in-law stopped him and told him that he thought Samson hated his daughter and gave her to one of Samson's friends.

Samson became violently angry.  He burned all the wheat fields of the Philistines.  The Philistines then started attacking the the men of Judah.  When they questioned the Philistines, they told the men of Judah what Samson had done.

The men tied Samson up and sent him to the Philistines.  Suddenly, God's power came to Samson and he broke free of the ropes.  Then, he found the jawbone of a dead donkey and subsequently killed 1000 Philistines.