| Jg 13, 15: Samson; Job 1,2,3,20,38,39,42: Job is tested and learns
wisdom. The book of Judges is the first of the Wisdom books. It also has
the character of historical writings. The Book of Job, also a Wisdom Book,
differs. Job is not a historical figure; his story is a reflection on the
meaning of suffering in human life.
 In Greek Mythology, the birth
and childhood of most great heroes are connected with special events. Think
of examples and compare them with the events that precede Samson's birth
(Jg 13).
Samson is a legendary strong
man and a tragic hero. Thinking of Greek Mythology, who is his Greek counterpart?
What are the character qualities
that make Samson admirable? human? heroic? tragic?
The Samson stories are literary
masterpieces. They have qualities that we also find in folktales: exaggeration,
practical joking, posing for riddles, broad, boisterous humor. Find examples;
Together these stories are a well-constructed unit: see the opening of
ch. 13 and the end of ch. 16.
In addition to making use
of folktale elements, the Samson stories also contain those elements for
which Bible stories are told; how? explain.
TERMS, CONCEPTS, NAMES TO REMEMBER: Book of Judges, folktales,nativity
stories, Samson, Job, Satan |
Short introduction to Samson
from Bible Tutor: http://bibletutor.com/people/samson.htm
Four essays discussing various
parts of the Samson story from Practical Dreamers Drop-In Centre:
A delightful and informative
homepage about Samson and Delilah from The Hodge & Braddock HomePage:http://www.hobrad.com/samson.htm#For_the_biblical
