Judges 16:26

KJV

And Samson said unto the lad that held him by the hand, Suffer me that I may feel the pillars whereupon the house standeth, that I may lean upon them.

KJV (with Strong's)

And Samson {H8123} said {H559} unto the lad {H5288} that held {H2388} him by the hand {H3027}, Suffer {H3240} me that I may feel {H4184}{H3237} the pillars {H5982} whereupon the house {H1004} standeth {H3559}, that I may lean {H8172} upon them.

Complete Jewish Bible

Shimshon said to the boy holding him by the hand, "Let me feel the columns supporting the building, so that I can lean on them."

Berean Standard Bible

Samson said to the servant who held his hand, “Lead me where I can feel the pillars supporting the temple, so I can lean against them.”

American Standard Version

and Samson said unto the lad that held him by the hand, Suffer me that I may feel the pillars whereupon the house resteth, that I may lean upon them.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Judges 16:26 marks a critical turning point in the final moments of Samson's life, as the blinded and humiliated judge, now a spectacle for his Philistine captors, makes a seemingly innocuous request to a young attendant. This plea to "feel the pillars" of the temple of Dagon, where thousands had gathered to celebrate their perceived victory, is far from a simple act of a weary man seeking support. Instead, it is a strategic and divinely inspired maneuver, setting the stage for Samson's ultimate act of faith, self-sacrifice, and a final, devastating blow against the enemies of Israel, fulfilling his lifelong calling as a deliverer.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Judges 16:26 occurs at the climax of Samson's tragic narrative in the book of Judges. Immediately preceding this verse, Samson has been captured, his eyes gouged out by the Philistines, and he has been forced into slave labor grinding grain in prison ([Judges 16:21](/judges/16-21 "Judges 16:21 - Samson's Capture and Blinding")). The Philistines, attributing their victory to their god Dagon, have gathered thousands of their lords and people in Dagon's temple in Gaza for a grand festival of celebration and mockery, bringing Samson out for their entertainment ([Judges 16:23-25](/judges/16-23 "Judges 16:23-25 - Philistine Celebration in Dagon's Temple")). Samson's request to "feel the pillars" is the quiet, understated beginning of his final, dramatic act of vengeance and deliverance, a stark contrast to the boisterous Philistine revelry. It is the moment before his desperate prayer for renewed strength and his ultimate sacrifice ([Judges 16:28-30](/judges/16-28 "Judges 16:28-30 - Samson's Final Prayer and Death")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Philistines were a formidable enemy of Israel during the period of the Judges, known for their advanced iron technology and organized military. Their religion centered on deities like Dagon, a prominent grain or fish god. Temples dedicated to such gods were often grand structures, sometimes featuring central support pillars that allowed for large open spaces, as implied by the thousands gathered within and on the roof in this account ([Judges 16:27](/judges/16-27 "Judges 16:27 - Thousands on the Roof")). Public humiliation of defeated enemies or captives was a common practice in the ancient Near East, serving to assert dominance and demoralize the vanquished. For Samson, a Nazirite dedicated to God and a judge of Israel, being paraded as a blind spectacle in the temple of an idolatrous god represented the ultimate degradation, a profound theological and cultural insult to both him and the God of Israel.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes in the book of Judges and Samson's story. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Divine Sovereignty Amidst Human Failure**. Despite Samson's repeated moral failings, disobedience to his Nazirite vows, and vulnerability to temptation, God's ultimate purpose for him as a deliverer of Israel remains intact. This verse is the quiet setup for Samson's final, divinely empowered act, demonstrating that God can use even broken and seemingly defeated individuals to accomplish His will. Secondly, it highlights the theme of **Humiliation and Redemption**. Samson is at his absolute lowest point, blind, enslaved, and mocked, yet this moment of profound weakness becomes the prelude to his greatest act of strength and self-sacrifice, illustrating how God's power is often made perfect in weakness, as later articulated in [2 Corinthians 12:9](/2_corinthians/12-9 "2 Corinthians 12:9 - God's Strength in Weakness"). Finally, the scene subtly introduces the theme of **Judgment on Idolatry**, as Samson's final act directly targets the Philistine god Dagon and his worshippers, symbolizing God's ultimate triumph over false gods.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Pillars (Hebrew, _ʿammûdîm'_):** This word refers to load-bearing columns or supports. The specific use of the plural indicates multiple pillars, likely two central columns that bore the main weight of the temple structure, including the roof where many Philistines were gathered. Samson's request to "feel" them suggests not merely touching but grasping or assessing their position and structural integrity, crucial for his intended action. This detail underscores the strategic nature of his request and the profound physical and structural knowledge he possessed, now to be supernaturally empowered.
* **Lean (Hebrew, _šāʿan'_):** The verb "lean" implies resting one's weight upon something for support. For a blind man, this would seem a natural and innocuous request. However, in Samson's context, it takes on a double meaning. While appearing to seek physical support due to his blindness and weariness, he is in fact positioning himself for an act of immense power, preparing to exert force against these very supports. This word subtly conceals his true, destructive intent, making his request appear harmless to the Philistines.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Samson said unto the lad that held him by the hand,"**: This opening phrase immediately establishes Samson's profound vulnerability and humiliation. The once mighty judge, who single-handedly killed a thousand Philistines with a jawbone ([Judges 15:15](/judges/15-15 "Judges 15:15 - Samson's Victory with a Jawbone")), is now dependent on a young boy for guidance. This stark contrast emphasizes his physical weakness and dependence, making his subsequent request seem all the more innocent to his captors.
* **"Suffer me that I may feel the pillars"**: The archaic "Suffer me" means "Allow me" or "Permit me." Samson's request to "feel" the pillars is presented as a plea for orientation or comfort for a blind man. However, given the context of his prayer in [Judges 16:28](/judges/16-28 "Judges 16:28 - Samson's Prayer"), this "feeling" is clearly a strategic assessment. He is not merely seeking a place to rest, but rather identifying the critical structural points of the Philistine temple, preparing for his final, divinely empowered act of destruction.
* **"whereupon the house standeth, that I may lean upon them."**: This clause further solidifies the seemingly innocent nature of his request while simultaneously highlighting its true purpose. The pillars are explicitly identified as the primary supports of the entire structure, emphasizing their crucial role. His desire to "lean" upon them, as discussed in the Key Word Analysis, conceals his intention to exert force against them, transforming an act of apparent weakness into the prelude to an act of overwhelming, divinely granted strength.

#### Literary Devices
Judges 16:26 is rich in literary devices, primarily **Irony** and **Foreshadowing**. The most striking is **Irony**: Samson, the legendary strongman, is now reduced to being led by a child, blind and seemingly helpless, yet this moment of extreme vulnerability is where his greatest act of strength and judgment will emerge. His request to "feel the pillars" appears to be a plea for support from a weak man, but it is, in fact, a strategic move to bring down the entire structure, turning his apparent weakness into the instrument of his enemies' destruction. This dramatic contrast between appearance and reality underscores the divine reversal about to occur. **Foreshadowing** is also evident; the seemingly mundane request for physical support subtly hints at the catastrophic event that is about to unfold. The mention of the pillars "whereupon the house standeth" directly points to their structural importance, subtly preparing the reader for their eventual collapse. The very details that make Samson seem pathetic are the keys to his final, powerful act.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Judges 16:26, though brief, encapsulates profound theological truths about God's sovereignty, His use of imperfect vessels, and the nature of true strength. It demonstrates that even when His servants have failed significantly and reached their lowest point, God's purposes can still be accomplished through them. Samson's apparent weakness and humiliation become the very conditions through which God's power is most dramatically displayed, highlighting that divine strength is not dependent on human perfection but on God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant and His people. This moment of vulnerability is a prelude to a divinely empowered act of judgment against idolatry and deliverance for Israel, reinforcing that God often works through means that defy human logic, turning perceived defeat into ultimate victory.

* [Judges 16:28](/judges/16-28 "Samson's Prayer for Strength")
* [2 Corinthians 12:9](/2_corinthians/12-9 "God's Strength Perfected in Weakness")
* [Hebrews 11:32](/hebrews/11-32 "Samson Listed Among Heroes of Faith")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Samson's request in Judges 16:26 offers a powerful reflection for believers today. It reminds us that our lowest points, our moments of greatest weakness, humiliation, or perceived failure, are often precisely where God can choose to manifest His greatest strength. Like Samson, we may find ourselves "blinded" by our own choices or circumstances, feeling utterly dependent and vulnerable. Yet, it is in such moments of humility and desperation that we are most open to God's intervention and most reliant on His power rather than our own. Samson's final act, initiated by this seemingly simple request, teaches us that God's plan can still unfold even through our brokenness, provided we turn back to Him with a glimmer of faith, however small. It encourages us to surrender our weakness to God, trusting that He can use even our most dire circumstances for His glory and the accomplishment of His purposes.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life do you feel most vulnerable or "blinded," and how might God be calling you to lean on Him in those very areas?**
* **How does Samson's story challenge your understanding of what it means to be "strong" in faith?**
* **Can you recall a time when God used a moment of your weakness or failure to accomplish something significant?**
* **What idols or "pillars" in your life might God be calling you to confront or see brought down, even if it requires a profound act of self-surrender?**

### FAQ

**Why did Samson ask to feel the pillars? Was it just for comfort?**

Answer: While it might have appeared to the Philistines as a request for comfort or orientation from a blind man, Samson's request was strategic. He was assessing the structural integrity and precise location of the main support pillars of the Dagon temple, which were crucial for his impending, divinely empowered act of destruction. His prayer immediately following this request in [Judges 16:28](/judges/16-28 "Judges 16:28 - Samson's Prayer") confirms his intention to bring down the temple as a final act of vengeance against the Philistines and their god, Dagon.

**What was the significance of the Dagon temple in this event?**

Answer: The temple of Dagon was the central place of worship for the Philistines' primary deity. By bringing Samson, a Nazirite dedicated to the God of Israel, into Dagon's temple and mocking him there, the Philistines were not only humiliating Samson but also blaspheming the Lord God of Israel. Samson's final act of bringing down the temple was therefore a profound theological statement: a demonstration of the superiority and power of the God of Israel over the false god Dagon, and a divine judgment against idolatry. This act served as a powerful vindication of God's honor.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Samson's final act, initiated by his request to feel the pillars in Judges 16:26, serves as a poignant, albeit imperfect, foreshadowing of Christ. Samson, though deeply flawed, ultimately brings salvation and judgment through a self-sacrificial death. He dies with his enemies, bringing about their destruction and delivering his people, Israel, from their oppressors. This echoes the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the true [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), who willingly laid down His life, not for vengeance, but for the redemption of all humanity. Unlike Samson, whose death brought a limited, physical victory, Christ's death on the cross, an act of ultimate weakness in human eyes, was the decisive victory over sin, death, and the spiritual "pillars" of Satan's kingdom ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Principalities")). Through His apparent defeat, Jesus secured eternal deliverance and reconciliation for all who believe, demonstrating that God's power is indeed made perfect in weakness ([2 Corinthians 12:9](/2_corinthians/12-9 "2 Corinthians 12:9 - God's Strength in Weakness")), leading to a victory far greater than any physical triumph.

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.