This seems a strange thing to say. Was not this child going to be some ultimate deliverer? Apparently not. Even more than strange, the term begin
is ominous. The Philistines are foes of a different order from former ones, and the struggle to free Israel from them will be hard and long.
1 Samson’s limited success is anticipated by the angel. The Lord’s work in raising up a deliverer takes an entire chapter, but thereafter Samson never rallies the Israelites in battle against the oppressor, and there is no announcement of final defeat of the oppressor.2 Samson will die before the task of delivering God’s people from the Philistines is complete. National deliverance is found in Samuel. The final deliverance is by David (2 Samuel 5:17–25). Judges 13:5 has been called the hermeneutical star
that ought to guide the interpretation of the Samson cycle (see in this regard also Judges 14:4).3
5 for behold, you shall conceive and bear a son. No razor shall come upon his head, for the child shall be a Nazirite to God from the womb, and he shall begin to save Israel from the hand of the Philistines.”