Today's first reading recounts the rise of Samson, perhaps the most famous of Israel's judges. A man of superhuman strength, he also had questionable judgment in women, as shown by his marriage to a Philistine woman (even before his relationship with Delilah).
[links to Bible Gateway open in a new window]
Reading the Bible in Its Entirety
The second selection tells of Samson's more famous relationship, after the death of his wife, with Delilah. Famously, she sought the secret of his great strength, eventually discovering it was related to the fact that his hair had never been cut. With this knowledge, she handed Samson over to the Philistines, who tortured him, but Samson was given the opportunity for one final victory, toppling the temple in which he was imprisoned and killing some 3000 people.
[links to Bible Gateway open in a new window]
If you are planning to read the Bible in its entirety, you should read Judges 13-16 today.
