SAMSON: THE STRONGMAN WITH A STAND-UP COMEDY STREAK

When we think of Samson, we picture bulging muscles, broken ropes, roaring lions, and Philistines flying in every direction. But tucked between the feats of strength is a surprising truth: Samson was also one of the funniest, quirkiest characters in the Bible—part superhero, part prankster, part poet, and part comedian.

Take his famous lion encounter. Most of us, if we survived a lion attack, would run home thanking God for our life. Samson? He comes back later, finds bees making honey inside the carcass, and turns the whole thing into a wedding-day riddle! And not a normal one—no, he gives his guests the kind of riddle only a man who snacks on honey from a dead lion could invent. That alone is a level of weird humor unmatched in Scripture.

Then there’s the fox incident. In a moment of fiery creativity, Samson catches 300 foxes, ties their tails together, attaches torches, and sends them sprinting through Philistine fields. It’s as if he said, “How do I express my emotions today? Ah yes—fiery wildlife.” Somewhere in ancient Philistia, there must still be a proverb: “Beware a Hebrew with too much free time.”

And don’t forget his “battle rap” after defeating 1,000 men with a donkey’s jawbone:

“With a donkey’s jawbone I made donkeys of them!”

Samson wasn’t just strong—he dropped bars.

Even his showdown with Delilah feels like a sitcom episode. She keeps asking the secret of his strength, Philistines keep jumping out of closets, and Samson keeps giving fake answers like he’s enjoying the joke more than the romance.

Samson’s story reminds us that God can work through serious strength and silly humor. Even the quirkiest personalities can be instruments of divine purpose. And sometimes, a little laughter hides deeper lessons about pride, calling, and grace.