Samson's death at Gaza
Betrayed by Delilah, Samson was blinded and chained; in his last prayer he pulled down the temple of Dagon, killing more Philistines in his death than in his life.
Samson called to Yahweh, and said, “Lord Yahweh, remember me, please, and strengthen me, please, only this once, God, that I may be at once avenged of the Philistines for my two eyes.”
Judges 16:28 (World English Bible)
The Philistine rulers paid Delilah to learn the secret of his strength. When his hair was cut, Yahweh left him. They gouged out his eyes and made him grind grain in prison in Gaza.
At a great feast to their god Dagon, they brought Samson out to entertain them. His hair had begun to grow. Braced between the two central pillars, he prayed one last time. Hebrews still names him among those who by faith “from weakness were made strong” (11:32–34).
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Dating notes
Samson judged Israel 20 years (Judges 16:31). Ussher dates his death to 1117 BC.