Samson was a man of extreme contrasts. He had great power before men, but was weak around women. The Holy Spirit forced him to serve the Lord, yet he willingly surrendered to the lust of his flesh. Though set apart from the womb to deliver Israel, he couldn’t resist relationships with his enemies.
His story is easily divided into 4 sections, each has to do with his sinful weakness. First was Samson’s unnamed mother in Zorah, a barren woman, but godly, loyal, and a recipient of God’s grace (Judg 13:1-25); Second, Samson’s unnamed wife in Timnah, a Philistine who betrayed him (Judg 14:1-15:20); Third, a unnamed prostitute in Gaza (Judg 16:1-3); and fourth, a woman from Sorek named Delilah who betrayed Israel’s deliverer (Judg 16:4-31).

I. Samson Saw (Judg 16:1). Samson had no business in Gaza, about 40 miles from Hebron. This southern most city of the Philistines had once been conquered by Judah (Judg 1:18). Whatever his business, he saw a prostitute like he saw the woman of Timnah (Judg 14:1). He went, he saw, and he was conquered.
Prostitution was common in the ancient world as a form of pagan worship. It was a primary characteristic of Canaanite worship. Devotees believed that whatever the gods saw their worshipers do, the gods mimicked. Sex with a religious prostitute created fertility in society. Such prostitutes could be found in every village and city, and were forbidden by God (Lev 19:29; Deut 22:21; 23:17). God would deliver His earthly people of Israel, even through Samson’s sin.
While Samson was saved by grace, lived by faith, was empowered by the Holy Spirit to deliver Israel, the Holy Spirit didn’t indwell Samson. The Spirit came upon him for a supernatural act, then left, unlike He does today (Jn 14:16-17).
Satan surely tempts God’s people, but he is a created being in only one place at a time. We should be more cautious of our sinful flesh than fearful of Satan; we are never separated from our flesh as long as we are living. (Jas 1:13-18). Knowing our sinful weaknesses should cause us to avoid opportunities for those sins.
Sin is deceitful, lying and deceptive (Heb 3:13). It promises what it can never deliver, and once it’s grip is established, it refuses to let go. Galatians 5:16-17 instructs us that sin is always active against us, even after we’re saved. We can become so familiar with a sin that it becomes natural to us without ever being tempted.

II. Samson Surrounded (Judg 16:2). The notorious Samson was spotted in Gaza and the authorities alerted. They both feared and hated him. They surrounded him (lit, buzzed around) like a swarm of bees (Ps 118:12), locking him in the city until they believed they could easily kill him in the morning light.

III. Samson’s Stunt (Judg 16:3). At midnight, aware of the buzzing bees outside, Samson went to the city gates, ripped them from the wall, and carried them to Hebron for all Philistia and Israel to see what he’d done!
This was no small feat. City gates kept inhabitants safe and enemies out. Archeology reveals the gates were made of wood planks 2 stories high and reinforced with metal. They sat at the end of a tunnel surrounded by 6 to 8 guard rooms. We’re not told this was done by the power of the Spirit, but it couldn’t have been done otherwise! God protected Samson, using him to stir up trouble and deliver Israel.
Samson struggled with sin. He could rip off city gates but not resist women.