Judges 16:20

KJV

And she said, The Philistines [be] upon thee, Samson. And he awoke out of his sleep, and said, I will go out as at other times before, and shake myself. And he wist not that the LORD was departed from him.

KJV (with Strong's)

And she said {H559}, The Philistines {H6430} be upon thee, Samson {H8123}. And he awoke {H3364} out of his sleep {H8142}, and said {H559}, I will go out {H3318} as at other times before {H6471}, and shake {H5287} myself. And he wist {H3045} not that the LORD {H3068} was departed {H5493} from him.

Complete Jewish Bible

She said, "Shimshon! The P'lishtim have come for you!" He awoke from his sleep and said, "I'll get out this time, just as I shook myself loose before." But he didn't know that ADONAI had left him.

Berean Standard Bible

Then she called out, “Samson, the Philistines are here!” When Samson awoke from his sleep, he thought, “I will escape as I did before and shake myself free.” But he did not know that the LORD had departed from him.

American Standard Version

And she said, The Philistines are upon thee, Samson. And he awoke out of his sleep, and said, I will go out as at other times, and shake myself free. But he knew not that Jehovah was departed from him.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Judges 16:20 marks the tragic culmination of Samson's spiritual decline, revealing the devastating consequences of persistent disobedience and compromise. As Delilah delivers him into the hands of the Philistines, Samson awakens with the deluded confidence that he can effortlessly reassert his strength, utterly unaware that the empowering presence of the LORD, the true source of his extraordinary power, had withdrawn from him due to his unfaithfulness to his Nazirite vow. This verse stands as a profound testament to the perils of spiritual blindness and the conditional nature of divine anointing when covenant fidelity is forsaken.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Judges 16:20 is the devastating climax of Samson's final encounter with Delilah, which itself is the culmination of a pattern of compromise and moral failure throughout his life. Samson was consecrated as a Nazirite from birth, set apart to the LORD with specific vows, including the prohibition against cutting his hair, which symbolized his consecration and the Spirit's empowering presence ([Judges 13:5](/judges/13-5 "Judges 13:5 - Samson's Nazirite Vow")). Chapters 14-16 detail Samson's repeated dalliances with Philistine women, his disregard for his vows, and his reliance on his supernatural strength for personal vengeance rather than national deliverance. Delilah, bribed by the Philistine lords, relentlessly sought the secret of his strength. After three deceptive answers, Samson finally reveals the truth—that his strength is tied to his uncut Nazirite hair ([Judges 16:17](/judges/16-17 "Judges 16:17 - Samson Reveals His Secret")). While he slept, his hair was shaved, setting the stage for the ambush described in this pivotal verse. The preceding verses detail the shaving of his hair and the Philistines lying in wait, making verse 20 the moment of direct confrontation and the revelation of his profound spiritual loss.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The book of Judges chronicles a period in Israelite history characterized by a cyclical pattern of apostasy, foreign oppression, and deliverance through divinely appointed judges. The Philistines, a formidable "Sea People" who settled along the southwestern coast of Canaan, were a dominant military and cultural force, constantly threatening Israel's borders and sovereignty. Samson's era (likely 11th century BCE) was marked by severe Philistine oppression, and his role as judge was to begin Israel's deliverance from them. The Nazirite vow, detailed in [Numbers 6](/numbers/6 "Numbers 6 - The Law of the Nazirite"), was a temporary or lifelong commitment of special devotion to God, involving abstinence from wine, not cutting hair, and avoiding contact with the dead. For Samson, his hair was not the source of his strength itself, but rather the visible sign of his covenant commitment and consecration, through which the Spirit of the LORD empowered him. The Philistines' desire to capture Samson was not merely for revenge but to neutralize a significant threat to their dominion, likely culminating in a public humiliation and sacrifice to their god, Dagon.
* **Key Themes:** Judges 16:20 powerfully encapsulates several major themes woven throughout Samson's narrative and the book of Judges. Foremost is the **consequence of disobedience and compromise**, illustrating how persistent sin, particularly the disregard for sacred vows and divine consecration, can lead to the withdrawal of God's empowering presence. Samson's repeated spiritual dalliances and pursuit of personal gratification over his divine calling ultimately severed his connection to the source of his power. This leads to the critical theme of the **loss of divine presence**, a stark reminder that God's Spirit and enabling power are not guaranteed but are contingent upon faithfulness and obedience. The phrase "the LORD was departed from him" underscores the gravity of this spiritual separation. Finally, Samson's response, "I will go out as at other times before, and shake myself," highlights a tragic **spiritual blindness and overconfidence**. He was so accustomed to his supernatural gift that he failed to discern the spiritual decay within himself and the resulting absence of God's active presence, presuming upon God's grace and past experiences without current spiritual vitality.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Wist (Old English, _witan'_):** This archaic King James Version term translates the Hebrew verb יָדַע (_yada'_) meaning "to know," "to perceive," or "to be aware." The use of "wist not" emphasizes Samson's profound and tragic ignorance of his true spiritual condition. It wasn't merely a lack of information, but a deep spiritual insensitivity and blindness that prevented him from discerning the departure of God's presence, even as his physical strength waned. This highlights a dangerous spiritual complacency.
* **Departed (Hebrew, _sûr'_):** The Hebrew verb סוּר (_sûr_) means "to turn aside," "to remove," or "to withdraw." This is not a passive fading of strength but an active, deliberate withdrawal by the LORD. It signifies God's righteous response to Samson's repeated and unrepentant violation of his sacred Nazirite vows and his continued pursuit of unholy relationships. The departure of the LORD's Spirit was a consequence of Samson's actions, a divine judgment upon his unfaithfulness, demonstrating God's holiness and His unwillingness to empower persistent sin.
* **Shake myself (Hebrew, _na'ar'_):** The verb נָעַר (_na'ar_) means "to shake off," "to rouse oneself," or "to shake out." Samson's use of this phrase reveals his ingrained habit and presumption. He had grown accustomed to his strength being an automatic, almost reflexive action, believing he could simply "shake himself" free from any constraint, as he had done countless times before. This phrase underscores his overconfidence and his failure to recognize that his power was a divine gift, not an inherent ability he could activate at will, regardless of his spiritual state.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And she said, The Philistines [be] upon thee, Samson."**: This clause marks the moment of the successful ambush, the culmination of Delilah's persistent betrayal and the Philistines' strategic patience. Her declaration is the signal for the waiting enemy, signifying the trap has finally sprung. It is a moment of dramatic irony, as the audience knows the full extent of Samson's vulnerability, while he remains oblivious.
* **"And he awoke out of his sleep, and said, I will go out as at other times before, and shake myself."**: Samson's immediate response upon waking reveals his tragic spiritual delusion. He presumes upon past experiences, confident that his strength is an intrinsic, habitual power he can simply activate. This statement highlights his overconfidence and profound lack of discernment, demonstrating how accustomed he had become to his supernatural ability, failing to recognize its true divine source and the conditional nature of its presence.
* **"And he wist not that the LORD was departed from him."**: This is the devastating revelation and the core theological insight of the verse. The KJV's archaic "wist not" (knew not) underscores Samson's complete ignorance of his spiritual condition. His strength was not gone merely because his hair was cut; it was gone because the divine empowering presence, the Spirit of the LORD, had actively withdrawn due to his persistent sin and disregard for his vows. This clause serves as a solemn warning about the spiritual consequences of unfaithfulness and the danger of presuming upon God's grace while living in disobedience.

#### Literary Devices
Judges 16:20 is rich in literary devices that amplify its tragic message. The most prominent is **Dramatic Irony**, where the audience is fully aware of Samson's true, vulnerable state, while Samson himself remains tragically ignorant. His declaration, "I will go out as at other times before, and shake myself," is steeped in this irony, highlighting his profound spiritual blindness. There is also a strong element of **Pathos**, evoking pity and sorrow for Samson's downfall, as his immense potential is squandered through his own choices. The narrative employs **Foreshadowing** throughout Samson's story, as his earlier compromises with Philistine women ([Judges 14:1-3](/judges/14-1-3 "Judges 14:1-3 - Samson's Desire for a Philistine Wife")) and his disregard for his Nazirite vows hint at the eventual and inevitable consequences of his actions. The cutting of his hair serves as a powerful **Symbolism**, not as the source of his strength itself, but as the visible representation of his broken vow and the resulting loss of divine favor. Finally, the repeated pattern of Samson's encounters with Delilah, where he continually gives away more of his secret, builds a sense of **Suspense** leading to this inevitable and tragic climax.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Judges 16:20 serves as a profound theological warning, underscoring the holiness of God and the conditional nature of His empowering presence. It teaches that while God is faithful to His promises, His active anointing and enabling power can be withdrawn when His people persistently and presumptuously disregard His covenant and commands. Samson's story illustrates that spiritual gifts and abilities are not inherent or automatic; they are divine endowments sustained by an ongoing, obedient relationship with the Giver. His spiritual blindness highlights the danger of becoming so accustomed to God's blessings that one forgets the source, leading to a perilous state of self-reliance and spiritual decay. This verse emphasizes that true strength comes from God alone and is maintained through faithfulness, humility, and a vigilant walk with Him.

* [1 Samuel 16:14](/1_samuel/16-14 "1 Samuel 16:14 - The Spirit of the LORD Departs from Saul")
* [Hosea 4:6](/hosea/4-6 "Hosea 4:6 - My People Are Destroyed for Lack of Knowledge")
* [Matthew 7:21-23](/matthew/7-21-23 "Matthew 7:21-23 - Not Everyone Who Says 'Lord, Lord'")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Samson's tragic downfall in Judges 16:20 offers a sobering and timeless warning for believers today. It compels us to critically examine our own spiritual lives, guarding against the insidious creep of compromise and complacency. Are we presuming upon God's grace, believing that His presence and power are guaranteed regardless of our obedience and faithfulness? This verse challenges us to cultivate a vigilant spiritual discernment, regularly assessing the health of our relationship with God and the vibrancy of the Holy Spirit's work within us. Our spiritual gifts, talents, and effectiveness are not inherent; they are divine endowments sustained by an ongoing, humble, and obedient walk with the Lord. To neglect our spiritual disciplines, to harbor unconfessed sin, or to prioritize worldly desires over our consecration to God is to risk grieving the Holy Spirit and diminishing His empowering presence in our lives, leading to a state of spiritual weakness and ineffectiveness, much like Samson's.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be presuming upon God's grace or past experiences, rather than cultivating a present, obedient walk with Him?**
* **How can I cultivate greater spiritual discernment to recognize subtle shifts in my relationship with God and the presence of His Spirit?**
* **What specific compromises or unconfessed sins might be hindering the full flow of the Holy Spirit's power and presence in my life?**
* **How does Samson's story remind me of the importance of humility and constant dependence on God for all spiritual strength and effectiveness?**

### FAQ
**Question?** Was Samson's strength literally in his hair?

Answer: No, Samson's strength was not inherently in his hair itself, but rather it was a supernatural endowment from the Spirit of the LORD. His uncut hair was the visible sign and condition of his Nazirite vow, a sacred covenant of consecration and obedience to God ([Numbers 6](/numbers/6 "Numbers 6 - The Law of the Nazirite")). The hair symbolized his set-apartness and commitment to the Lord. When his hair was cut, it signified the breaking of his vow and the violation of his covenant with God. It was this act of unfaithfulness and the persistent pattern of disobedience that led to the withdrawal of the divine empowering presence. The text explicitly states, "the LORD was departed from him," indicating that the loss of strength was a direct consequence of God's Spirit withdrawing, not a magical property of his hair.

**Question?** Can God's Spirit depart from believers today as it did from Samson?

Answer: In the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit "came upon" individuals for specific tasks and could depart (e.g., the Spirit departing from King Saul in [1 Samuel 16:14](/1_samuel/16-14 "1 Samuel 16:14 - The Spirit of the LORD Departs from Saul")). In the New Covenant, the Holy Spirit permanently indwells every believer from the moment of conversion ([Ephesians 1:13-14](/ephesians/1-13-14 "Ephesians 1:13-14 - Sealed with the Holy Spirit")). Therefore, the Spirit does not "depart" from a true believer in the sense of abandoning them. However, persistent and unrepentant sin can "grieve" the Holy Spirit ([Ephesians 4:30](/ephesians/4-30 "Ephesians 4:30 - Do Not Grieve the Holy Spirit")) and "quench" His work and power in a believer's life ([1 Thessalonians 5:19](/1_thessalonians/5-19 "1 Thessalonians 5:19 - Do Not Quench the Spirit")), diminishing their spiritual effectiveness, joy, and sense of God's active presence. While salvation is secure, the experience of God's empowering presence and fellowship is conditional upon obedience and holiness.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Samson's tragic story, culminating in Judges 16:20, profoundly foreshadows and contrasts with the perfect obedience and strength found in Jesus Christ. Samson, a judge appointed to deliver Israel, ultimately failed due to his own spiritual blindness and persistent disobedience, losing the divine presence that empowered him. In stark contrast, Jesus is the true and ultimate deliverer, the Son of God who perfectly fulfilled His mission. Unlike Samson, whose strength was conditional and ultimately withdrawn, Jesus was empowered by the Holy Spirit without measure ([John 3:34](/john/3-34 "John 3:34 - The Spirit Without Measure")) and never experienced the Father's departure, even in the depths of His suffering. He was "set apart" not by a temporary vow, but by His very nature as the sinless Lamb of God. While Samson was betrayed and weakened, Christ willingly laid down His life ([John 10:18](/john/10-18 "John 10:18 - Jesus Lays Down His Life Willingly")), demonstrating ultimate divine power even in apparent weakness on the cross, where He conquered sin and death. Samson's story is a warning against spiritual complacency; Christ's life is the perfect example of unwavering faithfulness and the source of true, enduring spiritual strength for all who believe in Him ([Philippians 4:13](/philippians/4-13 "Philippians 4:13 - I Can Do All Things Through Christ")). He is the one who never "wist not" the Father's presence, but always walked in perfect communion and obedience, offering us a new covenant where the Spirit permanently indwells His followers, enabling them to live lives of power and purpose, not based on their own flawed strength, but on His perfect work ([Romans 8:11](/romans/8-11 "Romans 8:11 - The Spirit of Him Who Raised Jesus")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.