Samson’s Philistine lover, who helped the Philistines capture him.
About Delilah
Delilah was a woman who became Samson's lover and betrayed him to his Philistine enemies (Judges 16). At this time (around 1070 BC), the Philistines controlled southern Israel. God chose Samson to begin freeing Israel from this control. Because Samson was so successful against them, the five Philistine rulers offered Delilah a large amount of money to help them capture him by finding out the secret of his great strength.
Delilah was from the valley of Sorek. This was in the southeast corner of the territory of Dan, only a few miles from the home of Samson in Zorah. It is clear from Judges 14:1 that Delilah was a Philistine. But she accepted a large reward (5,500 pieces of silver which suggests she was motivated by money rather than loyalty to her people. The way she freely interacted with men suggests she may have been a prostitute.
Family Relationships
- Partner
- Samson
Key References
Some time later, Samson fell in love with a woman in the Valley of Sorek, whose name was Delilah.
So Delilah said to Samson, “Please tell me the source of your great strength and how you can be tied up and subdued.”
When Delilah realized that he had revealed to her all that was in his heart, she sent this message to the lords of the Philistines: “Come up once more, for he has revealed to me all that is in his heart.” Then the lords of the Philistines came to her, bringing the money in their hands.
All Scripture References (6)
Judges (6)
Some time later, Samson fell in love with a woman in the Valley of Sorek, whose name was Delilah.
So Delilah said to Samson, “Please tell me the source of your great strength and how you can be tied up and subdued.”
Then Delilah said to Samson, “You have mocked me and lied to me! Now please tell me how you can be tied up.”
So Delilah took new ropes, tied him up with them, and called out, “Samson, the Philistines are here!” But while the men were hidden in her room, he snapped the ropes off his arms like they were threads.
Then Delilah said to Samson, “You have mocked me and lied to me all along! Tell me how you can be tied up.” He told her, “If you weave the seven braids of my head into the web of a loom and tighten it with a pin, I will become as weak as any other man. ”
When Delilah realized that he had revealed to her all that was in his heart, she sent this message to the lords of the Philistines: “Come up once more, for he has revealed to me all that is in his heart.” Then the lords of the Philistines came to her, bringing the money in their hands.