Judges 16:26

Verse

Samson said to the servant who held his hand, “Lead me where I can feel the pillars supporting the temple, so I can lean against them.”

American Standard Version (1901)

and Samson said unto the lad that held him by the hand, Suffer me that I may feel the pillars whereupon the house resteth, that I may lean upon them.

Bible in Basic English

And Samson said to the boy who took him by the hand, Let me put my hand on the pillars supporting the house, so that I may put my back against them.

Free Bible Version

Samson said to the servant boy who was leading him by the hand, “Leave me by the pillars on which the temple rests so I can feel them, and lean against them.”

Geneva Bible 1599

Then Samson saide vnto the seruant that led him by the hande, Lead me, that I may touch the pillars that the house standeth vpon, and that I may leane to them.

King James (Authorized) Version

And Samson said unto the lad that held him by the hand, Suffer me that I may feel the pillars whereupon the house standeth, that I may lean upon them.

Translation for Translators

Samson said to the servant who was leading him by his hand, “Place my hands against the two pillars. I want to rest against them.”

Unlocked Literal Bible

Samson said to the boy who held his hand, “Permit me to touch the pillars on which the building rests, so that I can lean against them.”

Noah Webster Bible

And Samson said to the lad that held him by the hand, Suffer me that I may feel the pillars upon which the house standeth, that I may lean upon them.

World English Bible

and Samson said to the boy who held him by the hand, “Allow me to feel the pillars on which the house rests, that I may lean on them.”

Young's Literal Translation

And Samson saith unto the young man who is keeping hold on his hand, 'Let me alone, and let me feel the pillars on which the house is established, and I lean upon them.'

Context

Samson’s Vengeance and Death

²⁵And while their hearts were merry, they said, “Call for Samson to entertain us.” So they called Samson out of the prison to entertain them. And they stationed him between the pillars.²⁶Samson said to the servant who held his hand, “Lead me where I can feel the pillars supporting the temple, so I can lean against them.”

Summary

In this verse, Samson prays to God for strength one last time as he stands between the pillars of the Philistine temple. Despite his past mistakes and weaknesses, Samson acknowledges his dependence on God for deliverance. His prayer reflects a moment of repentance and surrender, showing a glimmer of faith and humility in his final act. Ultimately, God grants Samson the strength to bring down the temple, fulfilling his purpose of delivering Israel from their enemies. This verse serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness to use imperfect individuals for His divine plans and purposes.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

And Samson said to the lad that held him by the hand,.... And led him about; as nothing is more common now than for a blind man to be led by a boy: suffer me that I may feel the pillars whereupon the house standeth; he might by information know in what manner the house was built, that it was supported by pillars, if he had never been in it before when he had his sight; and he might understand, by some means or another, that he was near these pillars, and placed between them, though being blind, did not know which way to direct his hands towards them to feel them, as he proposed to do, and therefore desired the lad that led him to guide his hands towards them: that I may lean upon them; being, as he might at least pretend to be, weary, as Josephus says (x); either by grinding at the mill, or through being led to and fro in this house, that all might see him, and cast their flouts and jeers at him, (x) Ut supra. (Antiqu. l. 5. c. 8. sect. 12.)