In his outstanding reference book on Old Testament Theology, Bruce Waltke draws attention to the striking parallels and contrasts between Samson and Samuel.
Both men are raised up by God to deliver his people.
Samson’s mother, Manaoh, is barren as is Samuel’s mother, Hannah. Their sons come only after divine intervention.
In Samson’s case, his mother is cynical and God sends an angel to convince her. In Samuel’s case, his mother is godly and receives her son through prayer.
After their birth, Hannah expresses her joy through a wonderful hymn of praise to God. No words of praise are recorded for Manaoh.
Both sons are dedicated to God at birth. Samson resents this and rebels against his Nazirite consecration to God. Samuel embraces his consecration to God and serves God faithfully.
Samson delivers the nation from the Philistines through acts of violence. Samuel delivers the nation from the Philistines through prayer (1 Sam 7, cf. 12:23).
Samson’s efforts at uniting and delivering the nation succeed only in postponing defeat. Samuel’s ministry ultimately transforms the nation from victims to victors, and he anoints David as God’s chosen king. Ultimately his ministry laid the foundation for the promise of great King, the “Son of David” in 2 Samuel 7.
I’m struck by the mother’s role in both cases. Hannah, Samuel’s mother, was a woman of God who prayed. Samuel, the one “asked of God” became a man who led the nation by prayer. Manaoh doesn’t appear to have been a godly woman and her son, Samson, “served God” in a godless way. God’s work goes forward God’s way – by prayer.
Lots of lessons here! I don’t think the parallels are in the text by accident – they’re meant to teach us something.
