Chapter 5: The Jawbone

Word of Samson's slaughter spread quickly. The Philistines marched into the land of Judah and made camp, demanding one thing: Samson.

The men of Judah were terrified - not of the Philistines, but of what refusing them might cost. Three thousand Israelites traveled to the cave at Etam where Samson was hiding.

MEN OF JUDAH“Don't you realize the Philistines rule over us? What have you done to us?”— Judges 15:11

SAMSON“I only did to them what they did to me.”— Judges 15:11

JUDAH LEADER“We've come to tie you up and hand you over to them.”— Judges 15:12

Samson looked at the men standing before him. His own people. Three thousand Israelites, armed with ropes instead of swords, ready to deliver their strongest man to the enemy.

He let them bind him with two new ropes. He didn't fight. He didn't resist.

They led him toward the Philistine camp. When the enemy saw him bound, they rushed forward shouting, already tasting victory.

Then the Spirit of the Lord rushed upon him.

The ropes snapped like burnt thread. He grabbed a fresh jawbone of a donkey lying on the ground and swung. When the dust settled, a thousand Philistines lay dead around him.

He stood alone among the bodies, chest heaving, jawbone still in hand.

But victory brought thirst, not peace. He cried out to God.

SAMSON“You gave me this great victory. Must I now die of thirst?”— Judges 15:18

God split open the ground, and water poured out. Samson drank and lived.