Samson Is Born and the Spirit Begins to Stir Him

The boy grows in the Danite region, with the Spirit first stirring him at Mahaneh-dan between Zorah and Eshtaol.

The birth fulfills the angel's word to Manoah's wife (13:2-5) after the offering sign and her reassurance (13:19-23). Verse 25 shifts toward the coming Samson narratives by naming the Spirit's beginning activity and its location. Chapter 14 first shows Samson's adult choices; this unit gives no verdict on them in advance.

The Lord brings the announced child into the story and begins to prepare him for his task.

Understanding the Big Idea

Manoah's wife bears the promised son and names him Samson. The child grows under the Lord's blessing, and the Spirit of the Lord begins to stir him at Mahaneh-dan between Zorah and Eshtaol. These opening signs confirm the earlier promise and prepare for his role, without reporting that deliverance is complete or that his later choices will all be good.

To close the birth announcement with Samson’s actual birth, the Lord’s blessing, and the first stirring of the Lord’s Spirit.

The birth and Spirit-stirring belong to God’s work in Israel’s history, but Samson is not presented here as a sinless savior. The gospel rests on Christ’s death for sins and resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:3-4), not on a promise that readers will receive Samson’s experiences.

1. Who gives birth and names the boy?
2. What two statements does the narrator make about the growing child in verse 24?
3. Who begins to stir Samson in verse 25, and where?
4. How does begins limit what can be claimed about deliverance at this point?
5. Why should this particular birth promise not be turned into a general promise for every family?