1. Judges 16:6 (ESV)
  2. Exposition

What is the pattern across the four scenes in Judges 16:6–21?

Judges 16:6 (ESV)

6 So Delilah said to Samson, “Please tell me where your great strength lies, and how you might be bound, that one could subdue you.”

There is a similar pattern across the four scenes (Judges 16:6–9, Judges 16:10–12, Judges 16:13–14, Judges 16:15–21):

  1. Delilah addresses Samson, asks for the secret of his strength, and chides him for deceiving her.

  2. Samson answers Delilah, telling her that if she performed a certain procedure, he would lose his strength.

  3. Delilah follows the procedure and then calls out, The Philistines are upon you, Samson!

  4. Samson escapes, except for in the final scene.