This week, we'll continue through the book of Judges, chapters 13-17. Don’t forget to check out the Rooted Facebook page for a bit more discussion on each chapter.


Discussion Questions:

• What two identities did Manoah assign to the person who told him about the birth of Samson? (Judg. 13:21-22)

• Did God arrange for Samson to marry a Philistine woman? Or was he planning on using something that Samson had freely chosen to do? (Judg. 14:1-4)

• What kind of a judge might Samson have been? (Judg. 15:20)

• Why did Samson eventually tell Delilah about the source of his strength? (Judg. 16:15-17) Surely, he should have known what she would do with that knowledge.

• What is the significance of Judges telling us there was no king in those days and everyone did what was right in their own eyes (Judg. 17:6)?


Some Answers to Last Week's Questions:

• What was it that Gideon did after the battle that was so bad? (Judg. 8:24-27) – He made an ephod (a religious item) and set it up in his hometown. And it became an object of worship for Gideon and his family, as well as the rest of Israel.

• What caused the falling out between Abimelech and the people of Shechem? (Judg. 9:22-25) – It is attributed to God sending an evil spirit between them because of what they had done to Gideon’s seventy sons.

• Who were the Ammonites? (Judg. 10:6-9, Gen. 19:30-38) – The Ammonites were descendants of one of the sons Lot fathered with a daughter. They were originally a nation east of the Jordan but were driven out by the Amorites, a Canaanite people group.

• What was the result of Jephthah’s vow? (Judg. 11:30-31, 34, 39) Would this have been something that pleased God? (Deut. 18:9-13) – It is probable that he actually offered his daughter as a burnt offering. This was contrary to God’s express prohibition, so it surely was displeasing to Him.

• What was the significance of Ibzan arranging marriages for his children with those outside his own clan? (Judg. 12:8-9) – It is likely that he was establishing alliances with other clans.


Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding me that You can work through imperfect people like Samson, and even through my own weaknesses and failures. Help me not to rely on my own strength or follow what seems right in my own eyes, but to seek Your wisdom and direction. Guard my heart from distractions that pull me away from You, and teach me to trust and obey You more each day. May my life reflect Your purpose and faithfulness. Amen.


Helpful Resources:


• Rooted Facebook Group for online sharing and further exploration 


• Bible Project Old Testament overview videos 

• Bible Gateway, a Bible app with many translations and some other free helps

• A Clay Jar Devotionals