God is Gracious

The Philistines seized him and gouged his eyes out. They brought him down to Gaza and bound him with bronze shackles, and he was forced to grind grain in the prison. But his hair began to grow back after it had been shaved.

Now the Philistine leaders gathered together to offer a great sacrifice to their god Dagon. They rejoiced and said:

"Our god has handed over our enemy Samson to us."

When the people saw him, they praised their god and said:

"Our god has handed over to us our enemy who destroyed our land and who multiplied our dead."

When they were drunk, they said, "Bring Samson from prison, and he can entertain us."

So they brought Damson from prison, and he entertained them. They had him stand between the pillars.

Samson said to the young man who was leading him by the hand, "Lead me where I can lean against them."

He called out to The Lord, "Lord God please remember me. Strengthen me, God, please remember me. Strengthen me once more. With one act of vengeance, let me pay back the Philistines for me eyes." Judges 16:21-26;28

Samson have up his source of strength, his hair and was made helpless. He was now humiliated and had to grind grain like a ox. This would have been a good time to reflect and come to terms with truth.

Wen the Philistines wanted to praise their god they made a mistake in bringing in Samson who, finally, turns to his God. His prayer was not so much for God's honour but of vengeance. He was still a long way from understanding his God.

However, God was gracious and heard his prayer and that day 3000 Philistines were killed.