The Bible In Paintings, #78: SAMSON’S FINAL REVENGE

Bing Images ^ | c. 2200 BC -- c. 95 AD | by the Father, Son & Holy Spirit

[Hebrews 11:6]

. .

SAMSON ABUSED

. .

J U D G E S . . 1 6
New International Version, emphases added
Abrdgd – the complete text is in your Bible, OR:
TO READ JUDGES 16 IN FULL, Click Here
TO HEAR MAX McLEAN READING IT, Click Here
TO HEAR A DRAMATIZATION OF IT, Click Here
TO WATCH AN OVERVIEW OF JUDGES, Click Here

. .

1 0 7 0 . . B. C.

. .

21 Then the Philistines seized him, gouged out his eyes and took him down to Gaza. Binding him with bronze shackles, they set him to grinding grain in the prison. 22 But the hair on his head began to grow again after it had been shaved.

. .

"Fool he who tells his secret plan
To wife or any other man;
Thus mighty Samson, less than wise,
Lost strength and locks and both his eyes."

. .

NOTE: Artworks are numbered to facilitate your commenting
(Thanks to "EliRoom8" for his clever and helpful suggestion)

. .

1
by PETER PAUL RUBENS
“The Capture of Samson”

. .

2
by GIOACCHINO ASSERETO
“Philistines gouging out Samson's Eyes”

. .

3
by REMBRANDT
“The Blinding of Samson”

. .

4
Detail

. .

5
Closer Detail

. .

6
by WILLIAM ETTY
“Delilah before the Blinded Samson”

. .

7
by JAN STEEN
“The Mockery of Samson”

. .

8

. .

9

. .

10

. .

11

. .

12
by CARL BLOCH
“Samson in the Treadmill”

. .

13
by WILLIAM BRASSEY HOLE
“Samson Grinding Grain”

. .

14

. .

15
by FRANZ HEINRICH LOUIS CORINTH
“The Blinded Samson”

. .

---

. .

. .

SAMSON’S
FINAL REVENGE

. .

. .

23 Now the rulers of the Philistines assembled to offer a great sacrifice to Dagon their god and to celebrate, saying, “Our god has delivered Samson, our enemy, into our hands.”

25 They shouted, “Bring out Samson to entertain us.” So they called Samson out of the prison, and he performed for them.

When they stood him among the pillars, 26 Samson said to the servant who held his hand, “Put me where I can feel the pillars that support the temple, so that I may lean against them.” 27 Now the temple was crowded with men and women; all the rulers of the Philistines were there, and on the roof were about three thousand men and women watching Samson perform. 28 Then Samson prayed to the Lord, “Sovereign Lord, remember me. Please, God, strengthen me just once more, and let me with one blow get revenge on the Philistines for my two eyes.” 29 Then Samson reached toward the two central pillars on which the temple stood. Bracing himself against them, his right hand on the one and his left hand on the other, 30 Samson said, “Let me die with the Philistines!” Then he pushed with all his might, and down came the temple on the rulers and all the people in it. Thus he killed many more when he died than while he lived.

31 Then his brothers and his father’s whole family brought him back and buried him. He had led Israel twenty years.

. .

16

. .

17

. .

18
by JAMES TISSOT
“Samson Pulls the Pillars Down”

. .

19
by GUSTAVE DORÉ
“Death of Samson”

. .

20

. .

21

. .

22

. .

23

. .

24

. .

25

. .

26

. .

27

. .

28

. .

29
by ANTHONIE WIERIX
“Samson Pulling Down the Pillars”

. .

30
by CECIL B. DeMILLE
Victor Mature in “Samson and Delilah”

. .

31

. .

32

. .

33

. .

34
by MARC CHAGALL
“Samson Overturns the Columns”

. .

35

. .

36
by GIOVANNI BENEDETTO CASTIGLIONE

. .

37

. .

38

. .

39

. .

40
by CAMILLE SAINT-SAENS
“Samson et Dalila” – Pittsburgh Opera: tenor Frank Porretta
as Samson and mezzo-soprano Stephanie Blythe as Dalila

. .

41

. .

42
by HUGO BALLIN
Wilshire Boulevard Temple Mural, Los Angeles, CA
“Joshua and his soldiers carry their spears; below him the walls of Jericho are crumbling. The next figure represents Samson pushing down the pillars in the Temple of Dagon with great physical strength. To the right King Saul
is between two oxen, threatening his enemies.”

. .

43
by CHARLES GUÉRIN
“Samson destroys the temple of Dagon”

. .

44

. .

45

. .

46

. .

47

. .

48

. .

49
Samson’s Grave on Mount Tzoraa, Israel

. .

---

. .

SNEAK PEEK: Next time,

MISCELLANY 2

. .

---

. .

R E S O U R C E S

. .

If you'd like to see for yourself the Bing pages
which yielded most of the works above, here are the links:

Samson Blinded & Abused

Samson in the Temple

Where no attribution appears below a work,
the artist's name is unknown

. .

Links to three masters who painted Biblical scenes prolifically:

REMBRANDT HARMENSZOON van RIJN

GUSTAV DORÉ
241 wood engravings for
La Grande Bible de Tours

JAMES TISSOT
180 watercolors depicting Bible scenes

. .

This series keeps moving from one Bible passage to another,
so here is a fascinating and enjoyable link to assist in following along:
BIBLE TIMELINE

. .

Finally, here are links to the
PREVIOUS 77 POSTS IN THIS SERIES
with descriptive titles, to assist you in finding those which interest you

. .

---

. .

SPECIAL THANKS
to FReeper left that other site,
who allowed God to make her His conduit
for incomparable enthusiasm, encouragement,
education, advice and technical assistance!

. .

---

. .

NOTES ON MY SELECTION CRITERIA

Quality
The Bible is my focus, not the art: this is The Bible in Paintings, not “Great Paintings” nor even “Good Paintings.” So, works need not be masterpieces to qualify for inclusion here—they don’t need to be housed at the Louvre nor auctioned by Sotheby’s. They only need to illustrate successfully some aspect of the Biblical text or, frankly, just tickle my fancy, which I'm asking the Holy Spirit to guide. Often, artists misrepresent the Scripture, but unless the error is material or heretical I usually include the artwork, trusting that the Spirit is perfectly capable of defending Himself. So, with such forgiving filters, it means that you're seeing practically everything I'm finding.

Pacing
The pace may seem glacial to those eager to see their favorite events. My commission is to search for art on each Bible passage in sequence; if I find enough, then it becomes the next installment, even if undramatic. But where there is no art, that Bible passage goes untold here. The Bible is a thick book, as you know; but we'll get there eventually, Lord willing. Always remember:
love, joy, peace, patience kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control is a fruit of the Spirit!

Art is merely the Toy Department of Bible study,
so I’m just having fun here—I hope you are, too!
Thank you for your understanding.

. .

[Hebrews 11:6]

At the Holy Spirit's prompting, I am surveying "Bible art" to give God glory, as many of these artists have done, and for my own amusement and learning; and I thought others might enjoy it and be blessed by it, too. My plan is to proceed methodically from left-to right, Genesis to Revelation, as the Lord wills. Back soon with another.

The Bible encourages us to meditate on it (Ps. 1:1-3, 119:11-16, etc.); these artists have done so, and their works can assist us and enrich our own thoughts about biblical characters, incidents and concepts, and increase our faith in He who is behind it all. As you encounter and consider these images and the related Scriptures and the Spirit enlightens your understanding, please share it with us!

But it is not only oil-on-canvas that can so help us; I refer to the astonishing video series The Chosen, which strolls through the four Gospels at the most leisurely pace. The eight episodes of Season 1 are finished, and the second of a planned seven seasons is coming soon. I say "leisurely" because after an entire year’s viewing Jesus still has only seven of the apostles (although He's preparing to call up Thomas from the minor leagues--but Thomas is skeptical, of course). Anticipating a canvas of fifty-plus hours instead of a movie's paltry two hours, The Chosen turns the characters (especially including Jesus!) into three-dimensional humans and brings the Gospels alive--you have never seen anything even remotely like it! Here is the Official Trailer.

Here is a link for free viewing of The Chosen: “Works with your phone, tablet, and you can cast to your Roku or Chromecast.” Last fall I paid $34.98 for DVDs and ongoing internet access—best 35 bucks I’ve ever spent (I don’t recall how much our marriage license cost, but then it was 42 years ago).

[Hebrews 11:6]

……... .

F o r . . y o u r

CONSIDERATION

ENJOYMENT

& BLESSING

……... .

[Hebrews 11:6]

. .

YES, WE DO HAVE A

P I N G… .L I S T

for "The Bible In Paintings" series

… .

To be alerted to each new posting,
either reply here or FRmail me.

No contracts, startup charges or monthly fees;
no hazing or initiation rituals; cancel anytime.

[left that other site]

Glad you included the opera set.

I love the music for that scene>

[Hebrews 11:6]

I’ve never watched an opera, but I’m happy it pleased you....

[left that other site]

Well, that particular setting is from Saint-Seans opera “Samson and Delilah” The destruction scene is preceded by a wild party called “The Bacchanal” which, unfortunately, modern producers have made so licentious that You Tube has taken them down. That is a shame because the music for that scene is exceptionally beautiful and exotic.

Modern Ballet, Broadway, and Opera have been taken over by a certain group that can’t appreciate the art form for its own beauty. They pushing their own agenda, if you catch my drift.

[Hebrews 11:6]

Never surprising, in dark of who is ultimately behind their movement, if you catch my drift.

[left that other site]

I do.

[left that other site]

Ah! Here is the music without the naughty dancing:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QbkCfxnoY4A

Enjoy.

[Hebrews 11:6]

Seems exhausting, to conduct, play and watch. But, never having participated in one myself, I suppose any good bacchanalia is both exhausting and enervating.

[left that other site]

Saint-Seans captured it! :-)

[Vendome]

Stunning

GIOACCHINO

and

The Mockery

[Hebrews 11:6]

Yes. He was completely (so they thought) in their power, and rater than simply torturing and then killing him in retribution for his killing of over a thousand of them, they chose for their amusement his slow living death. In the end, events proved they chose poorly.

[EliRoom8]

These are sooo good and the artists tried to stay true to the Biblical treasure.They are a treasure for those who have a love of the truth. My favorites are #17, 22, 25, and 45. On a personal note: There was a time, several years ago, when I was seeking restoration to fellowship with the Lord after a long sinful time away. By happenstance I heard Chuck Smith speaking on the radio about Samson. I was quite moved when he brought to the attention of all

Judges 16:23 But the hair on his head began to grow again after it had been shaved.

We have a God who gives second chances. Thanks for reminding me about that.

[Hebrews 11:6]

And third and fourth and....1 John 1:9

[Forgiven_Sinner]

Here’s a video of Samson bringing down the house.

Enjoy Victor Mature.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ro3pIwHbHuQ&ab_channel=WiseDesire

[Forgiven_Sinner]

I remember watching this as a kid, on TV, in the 60s in black and white. It made quite an impression.

[left that other site]

Good Old Victor Mature! :-)

I like the way the building collapsed. They really drew out that scene.

[Maudeen]

Had listened to By Dramatized the whole story of Samson from your link and was waiting on these pics. . . . worth the wait and certainly NOT disappointed!!!!!

[Forgiven_Sinner]

I always pictured the hot poker as two prongs, but more likely it was one, straight from the fire.