(Judges 14-16) “Unmet Expectations”

Published 21 October 2025

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Designed for Personal Bible Study or for Bible Teaching

1️⃣ Treating calling like a license—Samson presumed on grace instead of obedience (Judg 14:1–3).
2️⃣ Ignoring wise counsel—he dismissed his parents’ concern about an ungodly match (Judg 14:3).
3️⃣ Playing near temptation—lingering where seduction could work on him (Judg 16:4–6).
4️⃣ Misusing God’s gift for personal revenge instead of covenant justice (Judg 15:7–8).
5️⃣ Revealing sacred secrets—carelessly exposing the sign of his consecration (Judg 16:16–17).

1️⃣ Failure of separation—Nazirite boundaries blurred (carcass, feasting, secrecy) (Judg 14:8–9; Num 6).
2️⃣ Failure of discernment—Delilah’s repeated tests didn’t wake him up (Judg 16:6–15).
3️⃣ Failure of stewardship—strength used impulsively, not under God’s wisdom (Judg 14:19; 15:14–15).
4️⃣ Failure of humility—assuming God’s power would remain no matter his choices (Judg 16:20).
5️⃣ Failure to guard the heart—private compromise led to public collapse (Judg 16:19–21).

1️⃣ Lust and unequal yoking—seeking intimacy outside God’s people (Judg 14:1–3; 16:4).
2️⃣ Deceit and manipulation—riddles, wagers, and retaliation cycles (Judg 14:12–20).
3️⃣ Vengeance-driven violence—personal payback over God’s justice (Judg 15:3–8).
4️⃣ Profaning consecration—betraying the Nazirite sign before enemies (Judg 16:17).
5️⃣ Spiritual presumption—“I’ll go out as before”—not knowing the Lord had left him (Judg 16:20–21).

1️⃣ God confronts oppression—He sought an occasion against the Philistines (Judg 14:4).
2️⃣ Spirit-empowered deliverance—strength to break enemy yokes (Judg 14:6; 15:14).
3️⃣ Leadership impact—Samson judged Israel for twenty years (Judg 15:20).
4️⃣ Final faith—“Sovereign Lord, remember me… strengthen me once more” (Judg 16:28).
5️⃣ Ultimate victory—more defeated in his death than in his life (Judg 16:30).

1️⃣ Brokenness can awaken dependence—blind and bound, he remembered God (Judg 16:21–22).
2️⃣ God gives “hair-grows-again” grace—new strength after failure (Judg 16:22).
3️⃣ Prayer realigns power—true strength is requested, not presumed (Judg 16:28).
4️⃣ Consecration is heart-deep, not hair-deep—God looks for holiness (Num 6).
5️⃣ Judgment is certain—seek mercy now in Christ (Heb 9:27–28).

1️⃣ Guard the sacred—never trade consecration for comfort (Judg 16:17).
2️⃣ Choose companions wisely—relationships can remake or ruin calling (Judg 16:4–6).
3️⃣ Channel strength under God—power must be guided by purpose (Judg 15:14–15).
4️⃣ Don’t presume—seek the Lord afresh every battle (Judg 16:20).
5️⃣ Finish well—ending in faith can redeem a faltering story (Judg 16:28–30).