There are several instances in the Bible where God commands a person to perform an action that contradicts apparently universal ethical rules and rewards this person for his or her faithful suspension of morality. The story of Samson in the book of Judges is one such case. During a time period when God is punishing the Israelites and giving them “into the hand of the Philistines,” (Judges 10.7) an angel appears to a man named Manoah and his wife, who had not been able to bear children. The angel informs them that they are to have a son, Samson, who ordained as a ‘Nazarite’ from before birth and devoted to a life of serving God, will deliver the Israelites from the rule of the Philistines. As Samson grows up and carries out his divinely-commanded purpose in life, he becomes known for his awesome strength, leading single-handed campaigns against Philistine troops with no more than the jaw bone of an ass.
Bewildered by his superhuman abilities, the Philistines prompt his lover Delilah to ascertain the secret of his strength. After incessant prodding, Samson sincerely and tragically reveals, “A razor has never come upon my head; for I have been a Nazirite to God from my mother’s womb. If my head were shaved, then my strength would leave me; I would become weak, and be like anyone else,” (Judges 16.17). Delilah promptly informs the Philistines, who capture Samson and instead of killing him, shave his head, gouge out both of his eyes, and imprison him as a slave. After some time, Samson is brought from prison to be displayed at religious festival for the Philistine’s seemingly-victorious god. His hair is now again long, and his strength is returned. With his divinely-restored might, Samson enacts revenge on his and the Israelites’ oppressors. Fulfilling the prophecy delivered before Samson’s birth, he pushes against the pillars of the temple and topples the entire structure, killing himself and “more than those he had killed during his life,” (Judges 16.30). Samson had killed many men in his lifetime.
Why do people believe this stuff?
Can ONE man really topple the pillars of a friggin temple!?
What I am most curious about is whether or not Samson went to hell because he killed himself.