Vere. 4-21.-Samson's betrayal and fall. The long-suffering of God, which the saints are exhorted (2 Pet. iii. 15) to account salvation, is in Samson's case presumed upon, and the besetting sin at last finds him out. The sin is single, but it is not the first of its kind, nor is it isolated. The years of self-indulgence were preparing for this-a mad revel of voluptuousness and a_ deliberate denial of Jehovah. The scenes of this tragedy have a typical interest, and they are sketched lightly but indelibly by a master hand. In the gradual but deliberate breaking of his vow we have a parallel to Peter's threefold denial of his Lord. I. SENSUALITY LULLS THE SOUL INTO A FATAL SLUMBER, AND DESTROYS ITS SENSE OF DUTY AND ITS CAPACITY FOR USEFULNESS, II. COMPANIONS IN GUILT MAY DO us MORE HARM THAN OUR WORST ENEMIES. Here the serviceableness of Delilah is at once perceived by her fellow-countrymen, and they hasten to make use of her. The bribe offered, not necessarily ever paid, not only shows the importance of Samson in their eyes, but the value they set upon the influence of this lustful woman. How much mischief can a single transgressor do, not only directly, but through influence I Here it was not only a man betrayed to his enemies, but a soul undone. "'What shall a man give," &c. "He knoweth not that the dead are there, and that her guests are in the depths of hell" (Prov. ix. 13-18). The harlot's house, and what it introduces to. Ill. THE UNGODLY MISAPPREHEND THE SECRET AND NATURE OF SPIRITUAL STRENGTH. The Philistines evidently thought Samson's power lay in the efficacy of some charm. It is this they seek to obtain. They are incapable of thinking of a higher influence. Samson accordingly plays with this superstitious fancy, giving at the same time in eflch of his answers a parabolic or riddle-like shadowing forth of the true secret. So Satan and his servants tempt the Christian by altering the outward circumstanc<is of life, associations, habits, &c., through which the life works, but of which it is independent. Until the saint yields it up, the secret of his life with God is safe. IV. EVEN IN THE MOMENT AND CRISIS OF SPIRITUAL DOWNFALL THERE ARE DIVINE INTERPOSITIONS, RETARDATIONS, AND OCCASIONS FOR REPENTANCE. The Spirit of God was evidently working through the mind of Samson, and suggesting the evasive riddles, parables, &c., that "seeing they might not see," &c. The question of his downfall is thereby brought several times before himself ere it actually takes place. So Peter and the cock-crow. In how many lives is this providential method illus- trated I Temptation is played with until, constrictor-like, it springs upon its prey. Recollections of childhood's leBBons, early scenes, &c. are very potent at such times. V. WHEN THE SAINT'S vow TO GOD IS DROKEN, ALL IS LOST. The secret is out, and the charmed life is helpless. A wreck of a man. Nothing left but the memory of an irreparable past and the burden of self-wrought helplessness. Thero nre no ruins so pitiful us those of men who once were saints and Christian workers, Sunday- 172 THE BOOK OF JUDGES. [CH. XVI, 1-22.
school teachers, ministers, &c. How dark is the world and life when the soul's light has gone out I With God the weakest is strong, without him the strongest is weak. " His eyes, blinded by sensuality, saw not the treason; soon, blinded by the enemy, he should see neither sun, nor men, but only God. That done he turned back and God came back to him" (Lange).-M. ' '
Ver. 20.-" And he wut not that the Lord (Jehovah) was departed from /iim." A common state with many in Christ's Church. They are useless, helpless and rnis_erable, and th~y do not realise its significance. They try the customary methods, duties, &c., but fail to produce the looked-for results. They" go out as at other times before," but still is the spirit bound. Hitherto the Philistines knew not the secret of his strength, now he does not realise the secret of his weakness. J. SPIRITUAL IGNORANCE JlESULTS FROM SPIRITUAL DOWNFALL. This is 8 partial converse of "he that doeth the word shall know of the doctrine." A mark of those in whom the truth is not, is that they deceive themselves ; they fancy they are still the same as formerly. How subtle yet infinite is this distinction-with God, without God! Il. THE LOSS SUSTAINED BY THE FALLEN 80UL IS GREATER THAN IT REALISES. Only gradually does the experience work itself out, in a Judas's remorse or a Peter's repentance. Samson thought his strength merely had gone-it was God, the Giver of his strength. "Whoever has God knows it; whomsoever he has left knows it not" (Lange).-M.