Judges 16:28Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Although there had been no one before or since who matched him, and no warrior in this world could compare to him, he ultimately triumphed over himself in death, demonstrating his invincible spirit in the face of the terror of mortality. Thus, through his strength, Samson concluded his life in victory and faced his final moments not as a captive, but as a conqueror. It was his flesh, rather than his character, that succumbed to the woman's deceit, for human nature is inclined to sin and can easily yield to the allure of vice. Scripture attests that he killed more foes in his death than during his life; therefore, he entered captivity to vanquish his enemies, not to submit to them. In what way was he defeated if his death surpassed his lifetime achievements? It was not arrows that brought about his end but rather the bodies of his adversaries, which became for him not just a burial site but also a testament to his triumph. Samson bestowed upon future generations the remembrance of his bravery, for the nation he found in bondage and governed for twenty years, exemplifying a model of independence, emerged from his passing as an inheritor of freedom in his ancestral land.

Sampson indeed met his end among the Philistines, as evidenced in the account, "Let my soul die with the foreigners" (30). Prior to this, he called upon the Lord, declaring, "Adonai Lord, Lord of Hosts, remember me now, and strengthen me yet one more, O God, that I may take vengeance for my two eyes upon the Philistines" (28). This leads to an important question: did Sampson sin by taking his own life to seek retribution for his personal suffering?

When discussing suicide, the following principles should be acknowledged: 1) The natural law obligates us to preserve our lives; therefore, those who knowingly choose to end their existence violate this duty. By doing so, those who succumb to overwhelming passions bring harm upon themselves and may endanger their lives through reckless actions, which ultimately conflict with the natural right bestowed upon humanity—since life is a gift not meant to be discarded lightly. 2) While extreme suffering can be harrowing, enduring a troubled life is still preferable to the finality of death, as there remains hope, whether faint or solid, for deliverance from suffering. 3) The essence of human existence is found in the union of the soul and body, and death irrevocably disrupts this harmony. God has equipped us with reason, guiding us to seek lesser evils over more significant calamities, even amidst trials. 4) An act of suicide performed in a state of ignorance, madness, or external coercion cannot be held against the individual, as such actions are devoid of true freedom. 5) When evaluating Sampson’s act of self-sacrifice, it is essential to recognize that his motivation was not solely personal vengeance but rather a profound zeal for the glory of the God of Israel and His Holy Law.