Judges 16:29Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Although there had been none like him before or since, and no warrior on earth could compare to him, he triumphed over himself in death and demonstrated his indomitable spirit by disregarding the terrifying final moments of life. Therefore, through his strength, Samson concluded his life in triumph, facing his last moments not as a prisoner, but as a victorious man. It was surely his flesh, rather than his character, that led him to fall for the woman's treachery, as human nature is inclined to sin, yielding to the allure of vice. According to the Scriptures, he vanquished more foes in his death than in his lifetime; thus, he entered captivity to overcome his enemies, rather than to submit or crumble before them. In what way was he defeated when his demise surpassed the glory of his life? It was not the arrows that caused his death, but the bodies of his adversaries, which became for him not only a burial site but also a testament to his victory. Samson bequeathed to future generations the legacy of his bravery, for the people he found in bondage, whom he governed for twenty years, received from his deeds a model of freedom, and remained at his passing the inheritors of liberty in his homeland.

Sampson's demise involved his death among the Philistines, as indicated in the account: “Let my soul die with the Philistines” (30). He had previously declared his intent to seek vengeance against the Philistines for the blinding of his eyes, praying, “Adonai Lord, Lord of Hosts, remember me now, and strengthen me yet once again, O God, that I may take vengeance on the Philistines for my two eyes” (28). This situation raises important questions: did Sampson sin by choosing to end his own life for a personal grievance?

We must remember some guiding principles regarding suicide:

1) Natural law compels us to cherish our lives, and those who willingly end their lives while possessing sound judgment transgress this duty. By forfeiting their lives in response to overwhelming passion, individuals undermine themselves and expose their bodies to fatal risks, at times leading to the loss of earthly existence. Those who take violent actions against themselves most egregiously contravene this natural right; since life is a gift not given by oneself, it is not within one’s dominion to spontaneously take it away. Such suicides usurp the authority of the Supreme Provider.

2) When someone finds themselves steeped in profound despair, bereft of all worldly joy, is their death any less tragic than a life filled with suffering? The response to this scenario is that, despite the severity of life's adversities, they are always more tolerable than death itself, as life perpetually holds the potential for hope, whether it be clear or uncertain, for liberation from trials.

3) Human existence represents a state of perfection formed by the unity of body and soul, and death disrupts this harmony. God has instilled in humankind the gift of reason, enabling individuals to prefer lesser goods over greater evils, even amidst calamity.

4) A suicide resulting from a lack of awareness, madness, or compulsion lacks moral responsibility; such acts stem from a loss of freedom. Actions performed in ignorance or under extreme internal or external pressure do not qualify as truly voluntary and cannot be attributed solely to the individual.

5) In considering Sampson's self-inflicted death, it is crucial to recognize his zeal for true faith in God. His death was not solely a personal vendetta, but rather an act meant to honor and glorify the God of Israel and uphold His Holy Law.