When Did Samson Live?
Samson is one of the most important figures in the book of Judges. This is evident from the fact that more verses are given to him than are given to any other event or person in the book.
Chart of the verses assigned to each event or person in Judges.
The chronology of the book of Judges has been considered difficult by everyone who has investigated it, and many have concluded that it cannot be untangled. However, as posted earlier, I find the chronology suggested by Andrew Steinmann to be the best effort to date (see here). Unfortunately, however, the book of Judges simply does not provide direct chronological connections for Samson. So how close can we get in figuring out when he lived? The answer is, “pretty close.” Here is what we have to work with.
His account appears at the end of the chronological section of the book of Judges. The book provides a chronologically linear account of the various judges, comprising chapters 3-16. This central core is book-ended on the front by a short description of the period of Joshua and the elders (i.e. between the conquest and the rise of the first judge, Othniel), and at the back by the accounts of the Danite Migration (chapters 17-18, circa 1200 BC) and the Benjamite War (chapters 19-21, circa 1375 BC). Samson is the last figure described in the chronological section, which would naturally suggest that he lived at the end of that period, roughly the first half of the 11th century BC.
His opponents were the Philistines. In the larger scheme of things, this suggests a date that is later in the Judges period too, not earlier. It is generally agreed that the Sea Peoples, of which the Philistines were one tribe, made a major migration into this region (at least, along the coast) around 1200 BC. More specifically, the author of Judges states that they were responsible for a 40-year oppression (Judges 13:1). Steinmann suggests that this 40-year oppression spanned the years 1088-1049 BC, ending with the start of the reign of Saul, which seems reasonable. Thus it seems likely that Samson’s ministry took place sometime during that same 40-year period.
He was active for twenty years. This is stated twice in the Samson account (Judges 15:20; 16:31). Thus his ministry covered only a portion of the 40-year Philistine oppression. This fits nicely with the announcement of the heavenly messenger, “He will begin to save Israel from the hand of the Philistines” (Judges 13:5).
He is not mentioned in 1 Samuel. This implies that he died before Eli died (1060 BC). In fact, the Israelite/Philistine battle at Ebenezer that resulted in the loss of the ark of the covenant (and the death of Eli and his sons; 1 Sam 4) would seem odd if Samson were still alive at that time. However, such a war might even be expected in the aftermath of Samson’s death. At any rate, if it is correct that Samson died before Eli died, this would favor placing him in the earlier part of the Philistine oppression rather than the latter part.
In light of these observations, Samson’s 20-year ministry can best be placed in the time-frame of roughly 1085-1065 BC, give or take a few years.
Timeline with the approximate placement of Samson.
If this is correct, his connection with some other biblical figures can be deduced.
- He would have been a contemporary of the last four judges–Jephthah, Ibzan, Elon, and Abdon.
- He would have been a contemporary of the high priest Eli, and was probably well-known to Eli, although there is no record of interaction between them.
- He would have been active during the boyhood and young adulthood of the prophet Samuel.
- Finally, his life would have overlapped the boyhood of Saul; perhaps he was a childhood hero of Israel’s first king.
