on reading the latter part of Judges (part. 1)

been reading the latter part of Judges lately, from the period of Samson as judge all the way to the end of the book. A couple of verses just jumped off the pages:

1) Then Manoah prayed to the LORD... God heard Manoah. (Judges 13:8-9)

No matter how matter how many times I read these kind of verses, it just blows my mind away. We pray, God hears.

2) [Samson] "I will really harm them." (Judges 15:3)

Amazing how a man chosen by God can think of really harming others. I guess I'm just disturbed at this, and wondering the previous time when Samson killed 30 men of Ashkelon (as mentioned in verse 19 of Chapter 14) , was it in jest and mere sport?

3) Then three thousand men from Judah... ( Judges 15:11)

I laughed my head off when I read this line. Imagine 3000 grown men going up against 1 man, Samson. I guess when it's 1 man, but with God on his side, you have to bring a lot of men just to "equal up", if that can ever be achieved la.

4) ... The Spirit of the LORD came upon him in power. The ropes on his arms became like charred flax, and the bindings dropped from his hands. (Judges 15:14)

This line leads me to imagine Samson to be Super-Saiyan Sun Goku!  

5) Because he was very thirsty, he cried out to the LORD, "You have given your servant this great victory. Must I now die of thirst and fall into the hands of the uncircumcised?" Then God opened up the hollow place in Lehi, and water came out of it. ... (T)he spring was called En Hakkore (means caller's spring).

Interestingly, the footnote in the Application Bibles writes this comment:

"Emotionally, we are most vulnerable after a great effort or when faced with real physical needs. Severe depression often follows great achievements, so don't be surprised if you feel drained after a great personal victory.

During these times of vulnerability, avoid the temptation to think that God owes you for your efforts. It was his strength that gave you victory. Concentrate on keeping your attitudes, actions,  and words focused on God instead of yourself."

5) With such nagging she prodded him day after day until he was tired to death. (Judges 16:16)

Another laughter-inducing line. The power of the NAG!

6) ... But he did not know that the LORD had left him. (Judges 16:20)

A scary line. If we are not sensitive to the LORD, we won't even know we are no longer in God.

7) "O Sovereign LORD, remember me. O God, please strengthen me just once more..." (Judges 16:28)

A prayer I need to utter more often.