Samson in Fausset's Bible Dictionary

(See MANOAH.) ("awe inspiring".) (Judges 13:6; Judges 13:18- 20) or else "sunlike" (Gesenius): compare Judges 5:31, "strong" (Josephus Ant. 5:8, section 4). Judge of Israel for 20 years (Judges 15:20; Judges 16:31), namely, in the Danite region near Philistia. Judah and Dan, and perhaps all Israel, were subject then to the Philistines (Judges 13:1; Judges 13:5; Judges 15:9-11, "knowest thou not the Philistines are rulers over us?" Judges 15:20). His 20 years' office was probably included in the "40 years" of Philistine rule. At the time of the angel's announcement to his mother (Judges 13:5) they ruled, and as his judgeship did not begin before he was 20 it must have nearly coincided with the last 20 years of their dominion. However their rule ceased not until the judgeship of Samuel, which retrieved their capture of the ark (1 Samuel 7:1-14). So the close of Samson's judgeship must have coincided with the beginning of Samuel's, and the capture of the ark in Eli's time must have been during Samson's lifetime. Correspondences between their times appear. (1) The Philistines are prominent under both. (2) Both are Nazarites (1 Samuel 1:11), Samson's exploits probably moving Hannah to her vow. Amos (Amos 2:11- 12) alludes to them, the only allusion elsewhere to Nazarites in the Old Testament being Lamentations 4:7. (3) Dagon's temple is alluded to under both (1 Samuel 5:2; Judges 16:23). (4) The Philistine lords (1 Samuel 7:7; Judges 16:8; Judges 16:18; Judges 16:27)...