This is a simplified version of the Bible story found in Judges 16:1-22, written for children to understand. For the original version, please refer to the Bible passage.
Once there was a man named Samson. One day, he went to a city called Gaza and met a woman there. She was a prostitute. The people in the city found out that Samson was there and they planned to hurt him. They waited for him all night, but Samson tricked them. He took the doors of the city gate and carried them away to a hill.
Later, Samson met another woman named Delilah. She was from a place called the Valley of Sorek. Some of Delilah’s friends, who were leaders of a group called the Philistines, wanted to know the secret of Samson’s strength. They wanted to capture him and make him weak. They will pay Delilah 1,100 pieces of silver once she find out the secret.
Delilah asked Samson to tell her his secret. She said, “Samson, you are so strong! Please tell me what is the secret of your strength. How can I make you weak?”
Samson said to her, “If they bind me with seven fresh bowstrings that have not been dried, then I shall become weak and be like any other man.”
So, Delilah tied him up with seven fresh bowstrings that the Philistines gave to her. She called to Samson, “The Philistines are upon you, Samson!” But Samson was very strong and broke free.
Then Delilah said to Samson, “Samson, you have lied to me. Please tell me how you might be bound.” And Samson said to her, “If they bind me with new ropes that have not been used, then I shall become weak and be like any other man.”
So, Delilah tied him up with new ropes that the Philistines gave to her. She called to Samson, “The Philistines are upon you, Samson!” But Samson was very strong and broke free.
Then Delilah said to Samson, “Samson, you are still lying to me. Tell me how you might be bound.” And Samson said to her, “If you weave the seven locks of my head with the web and fasten it tight with the pin, then I shall become weak and be like any other man.”
So, Delilah wove Samson’s hair into the loom with the web that the Philistines gave to her. She fastened it tight with the pin and called to Samson, “The Philistines are upon you, Samson!” But Samson was very strong and broke free again.
Delilah was very persistent and kept asking Samson about his secret until he finally told her the truth. He said that he had never cut his hair because he was a Nazirite to God from birth. When he went to sleep, Delilah called some men who cut off Samson’s hair. Samson became very weak and the Philistines caught him. They put out his eyes and put him in jail to work. But over time, Samson’s hair grew back.
After Delilah told the Philistines Samson’s secret, they came to her and gave her the promised payment of 1,100 pieces of silver. Then they went to capture Samson.
Biblical Lessons
- It is important to keep your promises to God.
- We should not be tricked by money or temptation.
- Dishonesty can lead to trouble.
Related Stories
Samson Defeats the Philistines
Must-Read Christian Books
The Knowledge of the Holy
Short, powerful meditations on the attributes of God that lift the reader into a bigger, more biblical view of who He is.
View on Amazon
The Holiness of God
Sproul unfolds the blazing holiness of God and why a right fear of the Lord is vital to true worship.
View on Amazon
The Reason for God
Thoughtful, biblical responses to common objections to Christianity, aimed at skeptics and believers alike.
View on Amazon
Finally Alive
A biblical exploration of the new birth and why regeneration is at the heart of the Christian life.
View on Amazon
God's Big Picture
Traces the storyline of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation in a clear, Christ-centered way.
View on Amazon
The Reformed Doctrine of Predestination
Explains and defends the doctrines of grace and God's sovereign election from Scripture.
View on Amazon
The Mortification of Sin
A Puritan classic urging believers to put sin to death by the power of the Spirit.
View on Amazon
Trusting God
Encourages believers to trust God's sovereignty, wisdom, and love in every circumstance.
View on Amazon
The Sovereignty of God
A strong, Scripture-based defense of God's absolute rule over all things.
View on Amazon
Morning and Evening
Devotional readings for each day that point believers to Christ and His promises.
View on Amazon
Christian Beliefs
A shorter, accessible overview of 20 basic Christian doctrines for everyday believers.
View on Amazon
The Hospitality Commands
Shows from Scripture how vital hospitality is to Christian obedience and fellowship.
View on Amazon
The Gospel and Personal Evangelism
Encourages and equips Christians to share the gospel faithfully and simply.
View on Amazon
Family Worship
A short, practical guide to leading your home in daily worship of God.
View on Amazon
This Momentary Marriage
Shows how marriage is designed to display the covenant love of Christ and His church.
View on Amazon
The Peacemaker
Biblical principles for resolving conflict in a way that honors Christ and reconciles people.
View on Amazon