The leaders of the Phi-lis'tines were constantly spying upon Sam'son, seeking to find some way by which they might trap him, discover the source of his tremendous strength, and finally subdue him. They knew that he must have some higher, secret power than that of his body, and felt that they could overcome him as soon as they discovered the secret of his strength. They knew of Sam'son's affection for De-li'lah, so they offered her a great sum of money if she would find out and reveal to them the secret of her lover's strength.
De-li'lah accepted the bribe of the Phi-lis'tine officers, and began at once to lure Sam'son into telling her the secret of his superhuman power. At first he made light of the matter, telling her in a jocular manner that if he were bount with seven green fibers of wood he would be as other men. When he was bount according to these directions, a number of Phi-lis'tines rushed in upon him from an adjoining room, but the strong twisted fibers parted like tow when it is touched by fire.
Determined to learn the secret at any cost, De-li'lah continued to plead with Sam'son, accusing him of trifling with her, and using increasing charm upon his lessening resistance. Again Sam'son suggested a test of his strength, but the new ropes with which he was bount broke like small threads when the Phi-lis'tine spies rusht in upon him.
For the third time De-li'lah sought to have Sam'son tell her his secret, and for the third time he was able to deceive her. This time, however, he came dangerously near the point of revealing the truth. He told her that if the seven locks of his long hair were woven into a web, he would be no stronger than other men. Using a loom which was in her home, De-li'lah wove Sam'son's hair into a perfect web, and then fastened the web to the floor with a strong tent pin. But when she told him that the Phi-lis'tines were upon him, he quickly arose, releast the pin, and shook his hair free from the web.
Day after day the pleadings continued, with De-li'lah using every charm and allurement at her command. She reproached Sam'son incessantly with the tormenting accusation that, if he really loved her, he would keep no secrets from her. She argued that between two such lovers there should be no deception whatever, and that she was entitled to know everything about him. There were doubtless well disguised promises that she would make no improper use of the information given, if he would only reveal to her the secret which he had safely guarded for forty years.
Samson finally yielded to De-li'lah's persistent urging and allurements, and told her that the secret of his strength lay in keeping the Naz'ar-ite vow which required him not to cut his hair. He admitted that if his head were shaven he would be no stronger than other men.
Casting aside all the promises that she had made, and all pretense of love for the man to whom she had feigned wholehearted devotion, and without shame or apology, the hard-hearted traitress proceeded at once to carry out her purpose. She sent for the Phi-lis'tine leaders to bring her the money which they had promised, assuring them that she had stolen from Sam'son the secret of his power, and that she would deliver him helpless into their hands.
She then lured Sam'son to sleep on her knees, and called in a barber to remove the seven locks of her betrayed lover. Arousing him from his fatal slumbers, she taunted him and turnt him over to the spies who lay in waiting. Sam'son tried to show his former power, not realizing that the Spirit of God had left him helpless in the hands of his enemies. The Phi-lis'tines seized him roughly and gouged out his eyes, a cruel punishment which was often inflicted upon prisoners in ancient times.
