SAMSON (Judges 13-16)

His parents (1 & 2) are of the principal family of the Danites and (3) closely related. His mother was barren, but (4) an angel of the Lord appears and tells her she will bear a son. We (9) hear nothing of his childhood, but when he grows up he (11) performs many heroic deeds against the Philistines and (12?) marries. He is considered (13) one of the Judges over Israel and succeeds (14) for many years. Because of Delilah he (16) loses favor with God and man and (17) is captured and blinded by the Philistines. He dies (18) by pulling down a temple on himself and his enemies. He (20) has no sons to succeed him.

13 points

The Triumph of Samson by Guido Reni
1611-12
Oil on canvas
Pinacoteca Nazionale, Bologna

This document was placed on the web by Professor Thomas J. Sienkewicz for his students in CLAS230 Classical Mythology at Monmouth College, Monmouth, Illinois. It is based upon material he has used in mythology classes for many years, first at Howard University in Washington, D.C., and then at Monmouth College in Monmouth, Illinois. If you have any questions, you may contact him at toms@monm.edu.