And he (Samson) judged Israel in the days of the Philistines twenty years. (Judges 15:20 ESV)
The Whole Story
God is a better story-teller than we are. When we think of Samson, we remember his failures. And his failures were memorable! He disrespected his parents, he disobeyed God’s marital commands, he was merciless when mercy was desirable, he forgot his vows, and he trusted his pagan girlfriend more than he trusted God.
But as God writes the book of Judges, He gives a profound summary. Samson was Israel’s leader for 20 years.
We remember failures more than faithfulness.
But God remembers both.
Samson’s failures, like ours, are covered by Christ’s sacrifice and obedience.
And God seems to have, in light of that, summarize Samson’s service with that in His mind.
He does that for us, too.
We are peculiar, God knows our whole story.