Judges 13:3-5 - "The Birth of Samson"

Judges 13:3-5

"And the angel of the LORD appeared unto the woman, and said unto her, Behold now, thou art barren, and bearest not: but thou shalt conceive, and bear a son. Now therefore beware, I pray thee, and drink not wine nor strong drink, and eat not any unclean thing: For, lo, thou shalt conceive, and bear a son; and no razor shall come on his head: for the child shall be a Nazarite unto God from the womb: and he shall begin to deliver Israel out of the hand of the Philistines."

In Judges 13:1, it is written, “And the children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the LORD; and the LORD delivered them into the hand of the Philistines forty years.” Israel’s rebellion brought judgment, yet even in their sin, God purposed to raise up a deliverer. This deliverer, Samson, prefigures the greater Deliverer, Christ, Who came “made of a woman, made under the law” (Galatians 4:4) to redeem His people from sin and bondage.

Samson’s birth was announced by the Angel of the LORD to his barren mother: “Behold, thou shalt conceive, and bear a son. Now therefore beware, I pray thee, and drink not wine or strong drink, and eat not any unclean thing: for the child shall be a Nazarite unto God from the womb” (vv. 3-5). From the womb, Samson was set apart—a type of Christ, Who was wholly consecrated to the Father from His miraculous birth to His death (Hebrews 4:15). The Nazarite vow, with its abstinence from wine and uncut hair (Numbers 6:1-21), pointed to the perfect obedience and separation of Christ, Who lived under the law without sin.

The Angel’s appearance twice, first to the woman and then to Manoah (Judges 13:3, 9), reveals God’s sovereign wisdom. He confounds human expectation, choosing how and to whom to reveal His purpose. Likewise, God revealed the coming Messiah first to Mary (Luke 1:31-38), a woman chosen to bear the Savior of His people. In both cases, the miraculous births signal God’s intervention to bring about salvation beyond human means.

God’s acceptance of the offering further illuminates the mercy of Christ. Manoah offered a kid with a meat offering upon a rock (Judges 13:19), and the Angel ascended in the flame (Judges 13:20). This points to Christ, the perfect Lamb of God, Whose Sacrifice is wholly pleasing to the Father (Isaiah 53:10). Just as the flame confirmed the acceptance of the offering, so Christ’s death and resurrection obtained the salvation of His people (Romans 4:25). If God had intended to destroy, He would not have revealed His purpose or accepted the offering; in the same way, those for whom Christ died are secure in His mercy.

Manoah’s response, “We shall surely die, because we have seen God” (Judges 13:22), reminds us of the reverence due to God’s Presence and Revelation. Yet the Grace shown through the accepted sacrifice produces faith. God does not leave His chosen under condemnation because His purpose is redemption. Through the Spirit and the Word, Faith perceives the promises of God in Christ, as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness (Genesis 15:6).

Samson, though a shadow of weakness and imperfection, points to the perfect obedience and triumph of Christ. He was raised to deliver Israel from the Philistines, yet Christ Alone fully delivers His people from sin, death, and Satan (Colossians 2:15). From the announcement of His birth to the fulfillment of His mission, the life of Christ mirrors the hope foreshadowed in Samson’s calling: the Deliverer set apart, sanctified, and empowered to rescue His people.

Thus, Judges 13 causes contemplation of God’s mercy, sovereignty, and faithfulness. Even amid human sinfulness, God raised up the Deliverer, fulfilling His eternal promise. Samson’s birth becomes a type, pointing to the ultimate Deliverer, the LORD Jesus Christ, Whose Consecration, Obedience, and Sacrifice obtained Salvation for all whom the Father has given Him (Hebrews 11:32-40; Psalm 32:1-2). In Him alone, Faith rests, Hope endures, and the soul finds Peace.