Sampson: Hero or Tragedy?

We often think of the story of Sampson as a story of a hero. Children books and bibles celebrate his heroic feats against the Philistines and especially praise his final hour. In looking at his faith, we are pointed to Judges 16:30 which states that "he killed many more when he died than while he lived" (TNIV).

But, what if this is actually a tragic statement instead of a triumphant one. Indeed, Sampson had many issues during his life, particularly with pagan women. As one reads the story of Sampson, it seems that the only times he ever kills the Philistines is when he needs personal revenge. Never does he act on behalf of his people. Instead, he even seems to befriend the enemy (Judges 14:20-15:2). In this light, perhaps 16:30 can be seen as a tragic commentary on a life wasted. Although he was blessed with strength from God, he wasted that strength and ended up doing more for Israel when he was blind and a captive than in all the years he was healthy and free.

Furthermore, even though Sampson finally recognizes that it is god who gives him strength in the end, even here Sampson's desire is selfishly motivated. He does not act in order to free Israel or to show people that YHWH is greater than Dagon. Rather, he acts to "get revenge on the Philistines" for his "two eyes" (16:28). Given that this is the final judge mentioned, perhaps it is a sad commentary on the state of Israel and its leaders prior to the Kingdom period. Indeed, the life of Sampson seems to fit quite nicely with the final verse of Judges: "In those days...everyone did as they saw fit" (21:25, TNIV).