Judges 13

Chapter Summary

The chapter begins with Israel being given into the hands of the Philistines for forty years, and then it tells the story of a childless woman from the tribe of Dan whose husband was Manoah. An angel of the Lord appears to the woman and tells her that she will conceive and give birth to a son, who will be a Nazirite from birth and will begin to deliver Israel from the Philistines. When the angel appears to Manoah, he prays for the angel to return and teach them how to raise the child. The angel returns, but does not tell them his name, saying it is wonderful. Manoah offers a sacrifice, and as the flame goes up, the angel ascends in it. Manoah and his wife then realize that they have seen God, and they fear for their lives. However, the woman gives birth to a son, and they name him Samson. The chapter ends with the note that the Spirit of the Lord began to stir Samson while he was in Mahaneh-dan, between Zorah and Eshtaol.

Context for the Chapter

Judges 13 is part of the larger narrative of the book of Judges, which tells the story of Israel's cycle of sin, judgment, and deliverance. This chapter fits into the story of Israel's oppression by the Philistines, and sets the stage for Samson's role as a judge and deliverer of Israel. The chapter also has connections to the larger biblical narrative, particularly in the way that it foreshadows the coming of Jesus, who would ultimately deliver God's people from their enemies.

Heart Application

The story of Samson's birth and dedication to God challenges us to consider our own dedication to God. Like Samson, we are called to be set apart for God's purposes, and to trust in His sovereignty and plan for our lives. As we reflect on this chapter, we can ask ourselves: Am I dedicating my life to God's purposes? Am I trusting in His sovereignty and plan for my life?

What Does This Chapter Mean?

This chapter tells the story of the birth of Samson, a judge of Israel. Samson's mother was childless until God intervened, and then she gave birth to a son who was dedicated to God from before his birth. The chapter highlights God's sovereignty and plan for Samson's life, as well as the faith and obedience of his parents. As we read this chapter, we can learn about the importance of trusting in God's sovereignty and plan for our lives, and about the role of faith and obedience in fulfilling God's purposes.

Voices from the Church

“The angel of the Lord is a glorious being, and his appearance to Manoah and his wife is a remarkable event in the history of Israel. It shows us that God is still working in the world, and that He is still concerned about the affairs of His people.”

— Charles Spurgeon

“The fact that Samson was to be a Nazirite from birth is a significant aspect of his story. It shows us that God is sovereign over all things, and that He can use even the most unlikely people to fulfill His purposes.”

— John Calvin

“The story of Samson's birth and dedication to God is a powerful reminder of the importance of faith and obedience. It shows us that God is a God of promise, and that He is faithful to fulfill His promises to those who trust in Him.”

— Martin Luther

Outline for Preaching

1. Introduction to the Story of Samson (13:1-2) — The chapter begins with Israel being given into the hands of the Philistines for forty years, and then it introduces the story of a childless woman from the tribe of Dan whose husband was Manoah.
2. The Angel's Appearance to Manoah's Wife (13:3-5) — An angel of the Lord appears to the woman and tells her that she will conceive and give birth to a son, who will be a Nazirite from birth and will begin to deliver Israel from the Philistines.
3. The Angel's Appearance to Manoah (13:6-14) — When the angel appears to Manoah, he prays for the angel to return and teach them how to raise the child. The angel returns, but does not tell them his name, saying it is wonderful.
4. Manoah's Sacrifice and the Angel's Ascension (13:15-23) — Manoah offers a sacrifice, and as the flame goes up, the angel ascends in it. Manoah and his wife then realize that they have seen God, and they fear for their lives.
5. The Birth of Samson (13:24-25) — The woman gives birth to a son, and they name him Samson. The chapter ends with the note that the Spirit of the Lord began to stir Samson while he was in Mahaneh-dan, between Zorah and Eshtaol.

Core Doctrines

Sovereignty of God

This chapter teaches that God is sovereign over all things, and that He can use even the most unlikely people to fulfill His purposes. This is seen in the way that God intervenes in the life of Manoah and his wife, and in the way that He dedicates Samson to His service from before his birth.

Faith and Obedience

The chapter also teaches the importance of faith and obedience. Manoah and his wife demonstrate faith by believing the angel's message and obeying God's commands, and Samson's life is marked by both faith and disobedience.

The Role of the Spirit

The chapter highlights the role of the Spirit of the Lord in empowering and guiding God's people. The Spirit begins to stir Samson, preparing him for his role as a judge and deliverer of Israel.

The Importance of Dedication

The chapter emphasizes the importance of dedication to God. Samson is dedicated to God from before his birth, and his life is marked by a struggle to fulfill that dedication.

Lessons from Judges 13

1. God is Sovereign — The story of Samson's birth teaches us that God is sovereign over all things, and that He can use even the most unlikely people to fulfill His purposes.
2. Faith and Obedience are Essential — The chapter emphasizes the importance of faith and obedience in fulfilling God's purposes. Manoah and his wife demonstrate faith by believing the angel's message and obeying God's commands.
3. The Spirit Empowers and Guides — The chapter highlights the role of the Spirit of the Lord in empowering and guiding God's people. The Spirit begins to stir Samson, preparing him for his role as a judge and deliverer of Israel.
4. Dedication to God is Crucial — The chapter emphasizes the importance of dedication to God. Samson is dedicated to God from before his birth, and his life is marked by a struggle to fulfill that dedication.
5. God's Plan is Not Always Clear — The story of Samson's birth teaches us that God's plan is not always clear, and that we must trust in His sovereignty and wisdom even when we do not understand what He is doing.

Themes from Judges 13

1. Sovereignty of God — The chapter teaches that God is sovereign over all things, and that He can use even the most unlikely people to fulfill His purposes.
2. Faith and Obedience — The chapter emphasizes the importance of faith and obedience in fulfilling God's purposes. Manoah and his wife demonstrate faith by believing the angel's message and obeying God's commands.
3. The Role of the Spirit — The chapter highlights the role of the Spirit of the Lord in empowering and guiding God's people. The Spirit begins to stir Samson, preparing him for his role as a judge and deliverer of Israel.
4. Dedication to God — The chapter emphasizes the importance of dedication to God. Samson is dedicated to God from before his birth, and his life is marked by a struggle to fulfill that dedication.
5. God's Plan and Human Responsibility — The chapter teaches us about the relationship between God's sovereignty and human responsibility. While God is sovereign over all things, we are still responsible to trust in His sovereignty and plan for our lives, and to obey His commands.

Questions for Meditation

1. What does the story of Samson's birth teach us about God's sovereignty and plan for our lives?
2. How does the role of the Spirit of the Lord in this chapter relate to the larger biblical narrative?
3. What does the chapter teach us about the importance of faith and obedience in fulfilling God's purposes?
4. How does the story of Samson's dedication to God challenge us to consider our own dedication to God?
5. What does the chapter teach us about the relationship between God's sovereignty and human responsibility?

Detailed Chapter Outline

Frequently Asked Questions

Top Cross References

Sermons on Judges 13

	Sermon	Description
	The Enemy of Revival - Part 1 (Cd Quality) by Leonard Ravenhill	In this sermon, the preacher starts by quoting a scripture about the children of Israel doing evil in the sight of the Lord and being delivered into the hands of the Philistines fo
	Samson, Delilah and the Secret of Strength by David Wilkerson	In this sermon, the preacher discusses the story of Samson from the Bible. He highlights how Samson, after experiencing a great victory, decides to relax and have fun, which ultima
	The Character of Samson by L.E. Maxwell	In this sermon, the preacher discusses the story of Samson from the Bible and highlights the power of the Holy Spirit. He emphasizes that Samson, despite his great strength, was ov
	Where Is Your Strength by Leonard Ravenhill	In this sermon, the preacher talks about a man who was a menace to his enemies. His enemies tried to find his secret and eventually captured him. They bound him, blinded him, and m
	Women of Deliverance (Birmingham Conference) by Gary Wilkerson	In this sermon, the preacher discusses the story of Manoa's wife from the book of Judges. She was a woman in need, feeling unproductive and longing for something. The angel of the
	Isaiah Chapter 9 by Stephen Kaung	In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the title "Wonderful" and connects it to God's purpose. He emphasizes that God's purpose is beyond human understanding and is truly wonderfu
	Wonderful by Phil Clarkson	In this sermon, the speaker begins by referencing Isaiah Chapter 9 and emphasizes the solemn responsibility of addressing an audience. He highlights the importance of not wasting p
	Hidden in the Cleft of the Rock by Erlo Stegen	In this sermon, the preacher begins by introducing the story of Manoa and his wife, emphasizing the significance of their encounter with God. He then transitions to discussing the
	(Men God Made) Samson by Willie Mullan	In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the story of Samson from the book of Judges. He emphasizes the theme of restoration and the grace of God. The preacher highlights how Samson
	Samson - Physically Strong, Morally Weak by William MacDonald	In this sermon, the speaker shares a story about a river that went dry and a man who tried to cover up a dead body in the riverbed. However, the body was eventually discovered and

Summary of Matthew Henry Commentary on Judges 13

In this chapter, we see the sovereignty of God in the birth of Samson, a judge of Israel. The angel of the Lord appears to Manoah's wife, announcing that she will conceive and give birth to a son, who will be a Nazirite from birth and will begin to deliver Israel from the Philistines. This is a remarkable event, showing us that God is still working in the world, and that He is still concerned about the affairs of His people. The chapter also teaches us about the importance of faith and obedience, as Manoah and his wife demonstrate faith by believing the angel's message and obeying God's commands. The stirring of the Spirit of the Lord in Samson prepares him for his role as a judge and deliverer of Israel, and shows us that the Spirit is active in the lives of God's people, empowering and guiding them to fulfill their roles in God's plan. Read the full unabridged Matthew Henry Commentary →

What Do You Notice?