1. Judges 15:18 (ESV)
  2. Exposition

Why does Samson’s cry leave much to be desired?

Judges 15:18 (ESV)

18 And he was very thirsty, and he called upon the LORD and said, “You have granted this great salvation by the hand of your servant, and shall I now die of thirst and fall into the hands of the uncircumcised?”

Samson’s cry leaves a lot to be desired. To his credit he acknowledges the role of the Lord in the deliverance. And he modestly calls himself your servant, which is somewhat reminiscent of the title given to Moses in Joshua 1:1. It sounds spiritual. And if this were Moses speaking, we would deem it very good. But coming from Samson, it all rings hollow. He has just been singing his own praises, See what a wonderful thing I have done! I did it! (Judges 15:16). But now that he needs something he says, I’m your servant, you did it; now give me water! 1 He is not crying out for his people; he cries out for himself.