The Philistine
dignitaries gathered together to offer a great sacrifice to Dagon
and to celebrate the fall of Samson, their enemy, who had been delivered
into their hands! And when the people saw him, they also praised
their god and said, “Our god has delivered into our hands our enemy,
who had destroyed our country and slew so many of us.” And their
hearts were merry and they said, “Bring Samson, so that he may amuse
us!” And they brought Samson out of prison and they laughed at him
and stood him between the pillars. Samson said to the lad that was
leading him by the hand: “Let go of me and let me feel the columns
that support the building so that I may lean o them.” Now the temple
was full of men and women and all the dignitaries of Philistine
were there and there were about three thousand men and women on
the roof who were watching Samson made sport. And Samson called
upon the Eternal saying, “Lord God! I beseech You, remember me and
strengthen me this once so that I may avenge myself against the
Philistines once for my two eyes. “ And Samson took hold of the
two central pillars that supported the building with his right hand
on one and his left hand on the other. And Samson said, ”Let me
die with the Philistines!” And he pushed with all his might and
the temple fell on all the dignitaries and all the people that were
there. The dead that he slew at his death were more numerous than
those he slew in his life.
Judges
16: 23 – 30