The Samson and Othniel accounts share parallels as well as differences. Concerning the parallels, both accounts have a southern geographical orientation (Judges 1:11–13; Judges 13:1 – 16:31), and the Othniel account ends with forty years of peace, while the Samson account opens with forty years of Philistine oppression (Judges 13:1 – 16:31; Judges 13:1).1 Yet Samson, as the final judge in the book, is ultimately the exact opposite of the first judge, Othniel (Judges 3:7–11). The first judge had a model marriage to Achsah (Judges 3:7–11), he waged war against the enemy without hesitating or questioning the Lord, and he successfully delivered Israel, opening the way for the land to rest forty years. When it comes to Samson, however, we see a judge who pursues women, violates his calling, carries out personal vendettas, and gets himself killed, accomplishing no defeat of the enemy or rest for the land.2
1 And the people of Israel again did what was evil in the sight of the LORD, so the LORD gave them into the hand of the Philistines for forty years.