Judg 16:23-30 | NASB2020 | STEP | Now the governors of the Philistines assembled to offer a great sacrifice to Dagon their god , and to celebrate , for they said , “Our god has handed Samson our enemy over to us.”

Judges 16:23-30

23 Now the governors of the Philistines assembled to offer a great sacrifice to ^aDagon their god, and to celebrate, for they said,

“Our god has handed Samson our enemy over to us.”
24 When the people saw him, ^bthey praised their god, for they said,

“Our god has handed our enemy over to us,
Even the destroyer of our country,
Who has killed many of us.”
25 It so happened when ^{▼▼Lit their heart was pleasant}they were in high spirits, that they said, “Call for Samson, that he may amuse us.” So they called for Samson from the prison, and he ^{▼▼Lit made sport before them}entertained them. And they made him stand between the pillars. 26 Then Samson said to the boy who was holding his hand, “ ^{▼▼Or Let go of me, and let me feel}Let me feel the pillars on which the house rests, so that I may lean against them.” 27 Now the house was full of men and women, and all the governors of the Philistines were there. And about three thousand men and women were on the roof looking on while Samson was entertaining them.

Samson Is Avenged

28 ^fThen Samson called to the Lord and said, “Lord ^{▼▼Heb YHWH, usually rendered Lord}God, please remember me and please strengthen me just this time, O God, that I may at once ^htake vengeance on the Philistines for my two eyes.” 29 Then Samson grasped the two middle pillars on which the house rested, and braced himself against them, the one with his right hand and the other with his left. 30 And Samson said, “Let ^{▼▼Lit my soul}me die with the Philistines!” And he pushed outwards powerfully, so that the house fell on the governors and all the people who were in it. And the dead whom he killed at his death were more than those whom he killed during his lifetime.