The Good side of Delilah! Why Marriages Succeed.

Dr jarlath Uche Opara

Nobody would appreciate these hidden qualities of this purposeful, delibrately strategic, romantic, caring, beautiful and intelligently enagaging woman. She was so beautiful even the annoiting on the head of Samson could not resist her.

Though a harlot , I have looked at her carriage, how she clinically carried out her duties and assigment, holding down Samson the Lord’s specially chosen one. Saying she is a model for those who would want to keep their marriages and husband all to themselves wouldnt be an overstatement.

She isnt a model via negativa, rather gleaning from the lenses positives one could extract from her seemingly betraying posture something worthy emulating, just like the case of Lk 16 8-9. “And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely: for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light”.

I am laying down this for those who may be quick to condemn my projection of Delilah as a model, to be slow, think and digest before throwing pebbles.

The truth is, whatever made her hold down in submission such a powerful man of God, whose strenght and power the lion couldnt stand must be studied.

She is a definition of “every cloud has a silver linning”. Delilah wasnt the reason Samson’ destiny was cut short, Samson was the albatrose of himself. She didnt use charm on Samson , she of course couldnt have, even if she tried, it couldn’t work for the annoiting on Samson was without enchatment and divination.

Samson undid himself though annoited, was careless and clearly very undecerning. He was head over heels in love with a prostitute, what happened to other decent ladies? May be we would one day investigate that.

The book of judges chapter 16 vs 4 opens Samson’ journey with Delilah. *Later Samson fell in love with a woman named Delilah,who lived in the valley of Sorek. The leaders of the Philistines went to her and said find out from Samson what makes him so strong and how he can be empowered and tied up securely*. These verses suggest that Delilah didnt get involve with Samson because of the deal with the Philistine leaders. She got involved because she was a harlot who needed to be serviced by whosoever, once her price is paid. She was intentional and diligent in her job. No sentiments. This was clearly shown in the way and means she aligned with the proposal to bring Samson down. She jumped at it, since it holds the reason of her being a prostitute ( money) She was intentional and purposeful.

She made no pretence about it. She was sincere with Samson. “You made fun of me and told me a lie ! No please tell me how you can be tied up securely” she didn’t decieve Samson, rather he was clueless. For two times she failed, still Samson never saw lurking around.

What other charm that she possessed that made her very irresistible even at the point of losing his life, he wouldn’t let go? Though the Bible was silent on them, but one can hazard a guess. Maybe her cleanliness, her mastery in the act , her fundamental sense of understanding of the pivotal need of a man and her dexterity in providing them. Check through these qualities of hers 1) Purposefulness
2 ) Sincerity
3)Cleanliness
4) Mastery in duties and responsibilities

Though she used them via negativa, these qualities when positively deployed make marriages sustainable. Any woman that wants her marriage to succeed must have these qualities. What a great and ideal wife Delilah would become in her regenerated state of mind, just like Saul though a persecutor of Christains became the best propagator of the gospel in his regenerated state.

In every cloud there is always a silver lining. Nothing is completely useless there is always a use in any uselessness and a sense in any senselessness. There also a Deborah in every Delilah or Jezzebel. Nothing is completely good or bad . Always see things from their bright lenses however small.

These are my thoughts not binding on anyone. Just an expression of my deep musings. You are at liberty to disagree in a gentlemanly manner.

Dr. Jarlath Uche Opara Jarlathuche@gmail.com