Name: David CooperDate: 10/25/18Section: BIBL 104 –D68 LUO Observation Step One: For this character-sketch Bible study I will be studying: SamsonStep Two: Identify and list all the Bible passages on the person. You may find it helpful to use a Bible dictionary, Bible handbook, or a study Bible. Remember that some Old Testament characters are mentioned in the New Testament. Bible: (English Standard Version)Judges 13:1-16:31Numbers 6:1-21 Holman Illustrated Bible DictionaryJudges 13:1-16:31Hebrews 11:32Easton’s Illustrated Bible DictionaryJudges 13-16Bible: American Standard VersionJudges 13:24-16:30Hebrews 11:32Step Three: Read through each passage, making general observations based on first impressions. List (in complete sentences) at least 10 general observations from the Bible passages on your Character.
Samson was chosen by God to be a Nazirite from the womb. (Judges 13:9)As stated in the Nazirite Vow, Sampson could not drink wine and strong drink, eat nothing unclean, not cut his hair, go near a dead body (Numbers 6:1-21 ; Judges 13:4-7) Samson has disobeyed the Nazirite vow, “he shall not go near a dead body” (Numbers 6:6) and Samson ate honey out of the carcass of a lion. (Judges 14:9)Samson enjoyed telling riddles.
(Judges 14:12)Samson is easily angered. (Judges 14:19)Samson was strong, he struck 1,000 men with a donkey jawbone. (Judges 15:15-16)Samson was the judge of Israel for twenty years. (Judges 15:20)Samson lost all of his strength and the Lord left him when Delilah cut his hair. (Judges 16:20)Sampson killed 3,000 men and women in his death, which is more than he had killed during his life. (Judges 16:27-31)Samson is known for enforcing justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, and was made strong out of weakness. (Hebrews 11:32-35)Step Four: Ask the key questions and observe other structural or grammatical Elements. Observations related to “Who?” Samson was an Israelite who was chosen to be a Nazirite from birth.
Samson had a gift of physical strength. Samson slayed 1,000 Philistines with the jawbone of an animal. Samson was attracted to Philistine women: the first being the Philistine woman of Timnah who he attempted to marry and was later given to Samson’s best man, second in Gaza who was a prostitute, and lastly Delilah from Valley of Sorek who would eventually betray him.
Samson would call out to God just one last time for his strength and killed 3,000 men and women while he was “entertaining” the Philistines. Samson was a biblical judge in Israel for twenty years. In the end Samson broke all three of the Nazirite vows: 1-do not touch or eat anything “unclean” and Samson ate honey out of the carcass of a lion and touched a donkey jawbone when slaying 1,000 men, 2- do not drink wine or other fermented drink and Samson participated in a drinking fest, 3-do not cut your hair and Samson’s head was shaved.Observations related to “What?” Birth:Lion in the vineyard:Wedding banquet riddle ; 300 foxes:Slaying 1,000 Philistines with donkey jawbone:Prostitute in Gaza: Delilah shaving his head:Killing 3,000 Philistines in his death:Observations related to “Where?” TimnahGazaValley of SorekDagons TempleObservations related to “When?” Observations related to “Why?” Step Five: Construct a timeline that details the life of your Bible personality. (In this space you will need to construct a timeline of Samson’s Life) Interpretation Step Six: Determine what Biblical wisdom can be gained from this character. Carefully look through your general observations based on your first impressions, your deeper study, and your timeline. What biblical wisdom can you gather about your character? Write out five elements of Biblical wisdom that can be understood from your character.
Provide a concise explanation of each of these elements. Correlation Step Seven: Ask, “How does this character’s life reflect other truths found in the Scriptures?” List and explain 3 truths from this person’s life that fit within all of the Bible. Your explanation must note how these truths fit the framework of God’s Word. Step Eight: Ask, “How does this character’s life point me to Jesus?” List and explain 3 ways the life of your character can point to the person and work of Jesus Christ. Samson’s humiliation and death https://christianity.stackexchange.
com/questions/16875/how-does-samson-foreshadow-christSamson’s victories over enemiesLionPhilistines with the jawbonePhilistines and their gatesPhilistines in death Samson’s wifehttps://kjvbibletruth.com/2016/02/03/do-you-see-the-lord-jesus-christ-in-the-life-of-samson/ Application Step Nine: What points of application can be made using the Four Common Questions? List and explain 1 point of application for each of the Four Common Questions. The question of duty The question of character The question of cause The question of discernment ReferencesHolman Illustrated Bible Dictionary. B;H Publishing Group, 2003.Easton’s Illustrated Bible Dictionary. WORDsearch Corp., 2008.
