Judges 16:28

KJV

And Samson called unto the LORD, and said, O Lord GOD, remember me, I pray thee, and strengthen me, I pray thee, only this once, O God, that I may be at once avenged of the Philistines for my two eyes.

KJV (with Strong's)

And Samson {H8123} called {H7121} unto the LORD {H3068}, and said {H559}, O Lord {H136} GOD {H3069}, remember {H2142} me, I pray thee, and strengthen {H2388} me, I pray thee, only this once {H6471}, O God {H430}, that I may be at once {H259} avenged {H5358}{H5359} of the Philistines {H6430} for my two {H8147} eyes {H5869}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Shimshon called to ADONAI, "Adonai ELOHIM, just this once, please, think of me, and please, give me strength, so that I can take revenge on the P'lishtim for at least one of my two eyes."

Berean Standard Bible

Then Samson called out to the LORD: “O Lord GOD, please remember me. Strengthen me, O God, just once more, so that with one vengeful blow I may pay back the Philistines for my two eyes.”

American Standard Version

And Samson called unto Jehovah, and said, O Lord Jehovah, remember me, I pray thee, and strengthen me, I pray thee, only this once, O God, that I may be at once avenged of the Philistines for my two eyes.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Judges 16:28 records Samson's final, desperate prayer to the LORD from the Philistine temple of Dagon. Stripped of his strength, sight, and dignity, Samson, now a captive and object of mockery, appeals to God for a final empowerment. He asks for strength "only this once" to exact vengeance on the Philistines for the loss of his eyes, demonstrating a profound moment of humility and dependence on God after a life often marked by self-reliance and disobedience. This prayer, remarkably answered, culminates in a climactic act of divine judgment and Samson's own death, serving as a tragic yet powerful testament to God's enduring sovereignty and His willingness to use even deeply flawed individuals to accomplish His purposes.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Judges 16:28 is the poignant climax of Samson's narrative, which occupies the final chapters of the Book of Judges (chapters 13-16). The preceding verses detail his repeated failures and compromises, particularly his entanglement with Delilah, which ultimately led to the revelation of his Nazarite vow's secret, the shaving of his hair, and the loss of his miraculous strength ([Judges 16:1-20](/judges/16-1-20 "Judges 16:1-20 - Samson and Delilah")). Following his capture, the Philistines brutally gouged out his eyes and enslaved him, forcing him to grind grain in their prison ([Judges 16:21](/judges/16-21 "Judges 16:21 - Samson's Imprisonment and Blinding")). Crucially, the narrative notes that "the hair of his head began to grow again after it was shaven" ([Judges 16:22](/judges/16-22 "Judges 16:22 - Samson's Hair Begins to Grow")), subtly foreshadowing the potential for renewed strength. This verse finds him at a grand Philistine festival, where he is brought out for public humiliation and entertainment in the temple of their god, Dagon ([Judges 16:23-27](/judges/16-23-27 "Judges 16:23-27 - The Philistine Festival and Samson's Mockery")). His prayer is a direct response to this profound degradation, a final plea for divine intervention.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The period of the Judges (c. 12th-11th century BCE) was a turbulent era in Israel's history, characterized by a cyclical pattern of apostasy, oppression by foreign powers, Israel's cry for help, and God raising up a "judge" or deliverer ([Judges 2:11-19](/judges/2-11-19 "Judges 2:11-19 - The Cycle of Apostasy and Deliverance")). The Philistines, a powerful "Sea Peoples" group who settled along the southwestern coast of Canaan, were Israel's primary oppressors during Samson's time. They were technologically superior (possessing iron weaponry) and militarily formidable. Their chief deity was Dagon, an agricultural god often depicted as half-man, half-fish, whose worship involved large public festivals and sacrifices. The act of bringing Samson, a former Israelite hero, into Dagon's temple was a deliberate act of religious and political mockery, intended to demonstrate Dagon's superiority over the God of Israel and to humiliate Israel itself. Samson's blindness was a common form of incapacitation and punishment in the ancient Near East, ensuring he could no longer pose a physical threat.
* **Key Themes:** This verse encapsulates several critical themes prevalent throughout the Book of Judges and Samson's story. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **divine sovereignty and justice**, as God, despite Samson's numerous personal failings, ultimately uses him to execute judgment against the Philistines, who were oppressing His people. Secondly, it underscores the **consequences of disobedience and compromise**, as Samson's tragic end is a direct result of his persistent disregard for his Nazarite vow and his entanglement with foreign women ([Judges 14:1-3](/judges/14-1-3 "Judges 14:1-3 - Samson's Desire for a Philistine Wife")). Thirdly, it reveals God's **enduring grace and responsiveness to desperate prayer**, even from a deeply flawed individual. Samson's prayer, though motivated by personal vengeance, is a genuine cry for divine strength, demonstrating that God hears and answers those who turn to Him in humility, even at their lowest point. Finally, it touches upon the **nature of heroism and deliverance** in the Judges period, often messy and imperfect, yet always ultimately reliant on God's power.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Lord GOD (Hebrew, _ʼĂdōnāy YHWH_):** This compound divine name is significant. _ʼĂdōnāy_ (אֲדֹנָי) means "my Lord" or "my Master," emphasizing God's absolute sovereignty and Samson's submission. _YHWH_ (יְהוִה), often rendered "LORD" in all caps in English translations, is God's personal covenant name, revealing His eternal, self-existent nature and His faithfulness to His promises. Samson's use of this specific address, rather than a generic "God," suggests a profound, albeit belated, recognition of God's authority and His covenant relationship with Israel, even in his final moments of distress and humiliation. It implies a deeper, more personal appeal than his previous actions might suggest.
* **remember (Hebrew, _zāḵar_):** The verb _zāḵar_ (זָכַר) means "to remember," "to call to mind," or "to be mindful of." In a theological context, when applied to God, it doesn't imply that God forgets, but rather that He acts on behalf of His covenant or His people. Samson is not asking God to recall something from oblivion, but to act according to His character and His past dealings with His people. It is a plea for God to intervene actively and powerfully, to acknowledge His servant's plight and His people's oppression, and to fulfill His role as Israel's deliverer. This echoes other instances where Israel cries out for God to "remember" them in their distress ([Exodus 2:24](/exodus/2-24 "Exodus 2:24 - God Remembers His Covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob")).
* **strengthen (Hebrew, _ḥāzaq_):** The verb _ḥāzaq_ (חָזַק) means "to be strong," "to be firm," "to prevail," or "to seize." Here, it is used in the Hiphil stem, meaning "to strengthen" or "to make strong." Samson's request is for a physical, miraculous empowerment, a restoration of the supernatural strength that was the hallmark of his judgeship. The phrase "only this once" underscores the desperation and finality of his plea, acknowledging that this is his last opportunity for divine intervention and a final act against the Philistines. It is a request for a specific, temporary empowerment for a singular, decisive purpose.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Samson called unto the LORD, and said, O Lord GOD":** This opening establishes the immediate context of Samson's prayer. Stripped of his former glory and power, Samson turns to the ultimate source of strength. His address "O Lord GOD" (Adonai Yahweh) signifies a recognition of God's absolute sovereignty and covenant faithfulness, indicating a moment of genuine, albeit desperate, spiritual turning. It is a direct, personal appeal from the depths of his humiliation.
* **"remember me, I pray thee, and strengthen me, I pray thee, only this once, O God":** This is the core of Samson's petition. The repetition of "I pray thee" (or "please") emphasizes the earnestness and humility of his request. He asks God to "remember" him, not in the sense of recalling forgotten facts, but of acting on his behalf, intervening in his dire circumstances. The plea for strength "only this once" highlights the singular, final nature of his request, acknowledging that this is his last opportunity to fulfill his calling, however imperfectly. It also suggests a recognition that his previous strength was a gift from God, now lost due to his disobedience.
* **"that I may be at once avenged of the Philistines for my two eyes":** This clause reveals the specific motivation and purpose behind Samson's request for strength. His desire for vengeance is deeply personal, stemming from the horrific act of blinding that left him incapacitated and humiliated. However, in the context of the Judges period, personal vengeance often intertwined with divine justice against Israel's oppressors. Samson's act, though personal, also serves as a climactic act of deliverance for Israel from Philistine domination, demonstrating God's use of even flawed instruments to achieve His sovereign will.

#### Literary Devices
The passage is rich with literary devices that amplify its dramatic and theological impact. **Apostrophe** is prominently featured, as Samson directly addresses God in a fervent prayer ("O Lord GOD, remember me..."). This direct address emphasizes the intimacy and desperation of his plea. **Irony** pervades the scene: Samson, the once mighty strongman, is now blind and weak, yet it is in this state of utter humiliation and dependence that he finally turns to God with genuine humility, leading to his greatest act of power. His physical blindness paradoxically leads to a moment of spiritual sight, as he acknowledges God as his only hope. Furthermore, there is a powerful sense of **Foreshadowing** in the narrative's earlier mention of Samson's hair beginning to grow back ([Judges 16:22](/judges/16-22 "Judges 16:22 - Samson's Hair Grows Back")), subtly hinting at the possibility of renewed strength before this climactic prayer. The entire scene functions as a **climax** of Samson's tragic life, bringing his story to a dramatic and decisive end.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Samson's prayer in Judges 16:28 offers a profound glimpse into God's character and His interaction with humanity. Despite Samson's repeated failures, disobedience, and self-centeredness throughout his life, God demonstrates His immense grace and faithfulness by hearing and answering his desperate plea. This highlights that God's power is not contingent on human perfection but is often made manifest in human weakness and brokenness. It underscores the truth that God remains sovereign over all circumstances, using even the direst situations and the most flawed individuals to accomplish His redemptive purposes and execute His justice. Samson's final act, though driven by a desire for personal vengeance, becomes an instrument of divine retribution against the Philistines, showcasing God's unwavering commitment to His covenant with Israel and His ultimate triumph over their oppressors.

* [Psalm 25:7](/psalms/25-7 "Psalm 25:7 - God's Merciful Remembrance")
* [Lamentations 3:31-32](/lamentations/3-31-32 "Lamentations 3:31-32 - God's Compassion Endures")
* [Hebrews 11:32-34](/hebrews/11-32-34 "Hebrews 11:32-34 - Samson in the Hall of Faith")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Samson's final prayer is a powerful reminder that no one is beyond the reach of God's grace and mercy. Even after a life marked by significant missteps and a dramatic fall from grace, Samson's desperate cry for help was heard and answered. This should encourage believers to turn to God in humility and dependence, especially in moments of profound weakness, failure, or despair. Our lowest points can often become the catalyst for genuine repentance and a renewed reliance on God's power, reminding us that His strength is perfected in our weakness ([2 Corinthians 12:9](/2_corinthians/12-9 "2 Corinthians 12:9 - God's Grace is Sufficient")). While Samson's life ended tragically due to his choices, his final act underscores God's ability to use broken vessels for His purposes, demonstrating His redemptive power and unwavering sovereignty. It also serves as a cautionary tale about the high cost of persistent disobedience and compromise, reminding us that while God's grace is boundless, our choices have real and often painful consequences.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life have you experienced significant failure or humiliation, and how did these experiences lead you to a deeper dependence on God?**
* **How does Samson's prayer challenge your understanding of God's willingness to hear and answer the prayers of imperfect people?**
* **What does Samson's story teach us about the tension between personal desire (vengeance) and God's sovereign purposes?**
* **In what ways might God be calling you to trust in His strength, especially in moments when you feel weakest or most incapable?**

### FAQ

**Was Samson's prayer for vengeance justified, given that personal vengeance is often discouraged in Scripture?**

Answer: Samson's prayer for vengeance for his "two eyes" is deeply personal, but it must be understood within the specific historical and theological context of the Book of Judges. During this period, God often raised up individuals to execute His divine justice against Israel's oppressors. While the New Testament clearly teaches believers to "not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, Vengeance is Mine, I will repay, saith the Lord" ([Romans 12:19](/romans/12-19 "Romans 12:19 - Vengeance Belongs to God")), Samson was acting as a divinely appointed judge and deliverer. His act, though fueled by personal injury, was also an act of God's judgment against the Philistines, who had long oppressed Israel and blasphemed the LORD by exalting Dagon over Him ([Judges 16:23](/judges/16-23 "Judges 16:23 - Philistines Praise Dagon")). Therefore, while his motivation had a personal component, the outcome served God's broader redemptive and judgmental purposes for His people.

**Does God answer prayers from flawed or disobedient individuals?**

Answer: Judges 16:28 powerfully demonstrates that God does indeed hear and answer prayers from deeply flawed and even disobedient individuals. Samson's life was a testament to human weakness and compromise, yet in his moment of utter desperation and humility, God responded to his cry. This highlights God's immense grace, mercy, and faithfulness. God's ability to use imperfect people for His perfect purposes is a recurring theme throughout the Bible, from Abraham's deception to David's adultery. It underscores that God's power is not dependent on our perfection but is often made perfect in our weakness ([2 Corinthians 12:9](/2_corinthians/12-9 "2 Corinthians 12:9 - God's Power in Weakness")). This passage offers profound encouragement that even when we have strayed or fallen short, God remains accessible and responsive to a repentant heart that genuinely turns to Him for help.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Samson's final act, though tragic and born of personal vengeance, offers a profound, albeit imperfect, foreshadowing of Christ's ultimate redemptive work. Samson, in his death, achieved a greater victory over the enemies of God's people than he did in his life, bringing down the Philistine temple and its worshippers. This mirrors how Christ, through His death on the cross, achieved the decisive victory over sin, death, and the powers of darkness ([Colossians 2:13-15](/colossians/2-13-15 "Colossians 2:13-15 - Triumph Over Principalities")). Samson's self-sacrifice, in which he died with his enemies, points to Christ, who willingly laid down His life to conquer humanity's ultimate enemy, sin, and reconcile us to God ([John 10:17-18](/john/10-17-18 "John 10:17-18 - Jesus Lays Down His Life")). Furthermore, Samson's humiliation, blindness, and public mockery before his final act resonate with Christ's own suffering, humiliation, and crucifixion, where He was mocked and despised before His ultimate triumph ([Philippians 2:5-8](/philippians/2-5-8 "Philippians 2:5-8 - Christ's Humiliation and Exaltation")). While Samson's motivation was personal vengeance, Christ's sacrifice was purely selfless, driven by love to atone for the sins of the world ([1 John 4:9-10](/1_john/4-9-10 "1 John 4:9-10 - God's Love in Christ's Sacrifice")). Thus, Samson, the flawed deliverer, ultimately points to the perfect Deliverer, Jesus Christ, whose death brought true and eternal liberation.

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.

Cross-References

Lamentations 3:31

For the Lord will not cast off for ever:

Lamentations 3:32

But though he cause grief, yet will he have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies.

Jeremiah 15:15

¶ O LORD, thou knowest: remember me, and visit me, and revenge me of my persecutors; take me not away in thy longsuffering: know that for thy sake I have suffered rebuke.

Psalms 143:12

And of thy mercy cut off mine enemies, and destroy all them that afflict my soul: for I [am] thy servant.

Psalms 50:15

And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.

Psalms 58:10

The righteous shall rejoice when he seeth the vengeance: he shall wash his feet in the blood of the wicked.

Psalms 58:11

So that a man shall say, Verily [there is] a reward for the righteous: verily he is a God that judgeth in the earth.