Book of Judges - Chapter 16 - Verse 14

In this verse from the Book of Judges, we see the cunning and betrayal of Samson by Delilah. Delilah has been tasked by the Philistines to discover the secret of Samson's strength, and she uses her charm and manipulation to try and extract this information from him. In this particular instance, she tricks Samson into revealing that his strength lies in his hair. As Samson sleeps, Delilah fastens his hair with a pin, waking him and falsely claiming that the Philistines are upon him. Samson, believing her deceit, awakes and is captured by the Philistines.

This verse serves as a cautionary tale about trust and deception. Samson's downfall is brought about by his misplaced trust in Delilah, who betrays him for personal gain. It also highlights the consequences of revealing one's vulnerabilities to those who may seek to exploit them. The story of Samson and Delilah reminds readers to be wary of those who may not have their best interests at heart and to guard their secrets carefully.

In this verse from the book of Judges, the act of Delilah fastening Samson's hair with a pin while he was asleep ultimately led to his capture by the Philistines. The theological interpretation of this passage is multi-faceted. Some scholars see this as a cautionary tale about the dangers of succumbing to temptation and deception, as Samson's weakness for Delilah's deceit ultimately led to his downfall. Others interpret this as a demonstration of the consequences of straying from God's will, as Samson's disobedience and lack of vigilance left him vulnerable to his enemies. Additionally, this verse can be seen as a reminder of the importance of remaining alert and steadfast in one's faith, so as not to be led astray by those who seek to harm or deceive. Word studies on terms such as "fastened" and "pin" can offer insights into the cultural context and significance of these actions within the narrative, adding depth to our understanding of the story. Overall, this verse serves as a powerful reminder of the consequences of betraying one's trust and the importance of remaining faithful and vigilant in the face of temptation.