 |  |
We may criticize Samson and regard his betrayal as evidence that he was a failure, or
at least, a partial failure,
"But the Lord seeth not as man seeth."
There is another point of view expressed in the epistle to the Hebrews:
"And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gideon, and of
Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets;
who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped
the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of
weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the
aliens" (Heb. 11: 32-34).
So Samson is listed among those who lived a life of faith. No mention is made of his
shortcomings. He was "to begin to deliver Israel from the hand of the Philistines". And
he did make such a beginning.
No.4.
Micaiah. Hoshea. Hanani.
pp. 137 - 140
"What the Lord saith unto me, that will I speak" (I Kings 22: 14).
MICAIAH.
After the death of Naboth, Elijah proclaimed God's judgment upon
king Ahab, who then repented, rent his clothes, and put on sackcloth. Because Ahab
humbled himself before the Lord, the evil which God had determined was postponed
until the next generation.
In I Kings 22: 1 we read that for three years there was no war between Syria and
Israel. The king of Judah was Jehoshaphat, and he came down to the king of Israel. The
two kings discussed the situation with Syria. The king of Israel pointed out that
Ramothgilead ought to be held by Israel, but they had never gone in to possess it. So the
king of Israel asked the king of Judah if he would join with him in battle against Syria.
Jehoshaphat was 35 years old when he began to reign and he reigned 25 years in
Jerusalem. He did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, although he did not halt
the sacrifices offered in the high places. But clearly, Jehoshaphat did not want to do
anything or engage in any enterprise unless he was assured of the blessing of the Lord.
So Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel "Enquire, I pray you, at the word of the Lord
today" (22: 5). The king of Israel gathered his prophets together, 400 of them, and
asked them whether he should go up to Ramothgilead to battle, or not. All the prophets
said "Go up: for the Lord shall deliver it into the hand of the king".