Verse 1, Here we are reminded of the cycle of faithlessness and idolatry that has continued through the book. Remember that chapter 10 begins this motion of the book and mentions the Ammorites and the Philistines. The Ammorites were dealt with in chapters 11-12 with Jephthah and the next few chapters will deal with the Philistines and Samson.
Verses 2-5, We meet Samson’s mother who is barren like many other great women in the Scriptures: Sarah, Rebekah, Rachel, Hannah, Elizabeth, etc…
–The Angel promises her a son, but even in that promise it is clearly expressed that the child’s life is the Lord’s for a specific purpose–to begin to deliver Israel from the Philistines.
–Before that public purpose could be realized he must first privately consecrate his life to the Lord as a Nazarite. See Num. 6. His mother, would even need to follow these vows as she weaned and raised him.
Verses 6-8, It is worthy to note how quickly Manoah believed the promise. He prays an awesome parental prayer, wanting to know how to instruct the child to reach God’s calling on his life.
–All parents ought to wish this instruction and have this aim for their kids–who are really just on loan from the Lord.
Verses 9-11, The very same God who heard the prayer came and answered it! We have a God that hears prayer. Let us never take that for granted. See Ps. 5:1-2; 28:1-2; 65:2.
Verses 12-14, The Angel repeats His previous instruction. God wants us to know His will for our lives in His timing. See Ps. 25:8-9; Col. 1:9-10
Verses 15-18, Manoah asks the Angel to stay for dinner, but the Angel declines and says that though He wont eat a meal with them He will accept an offering made to the Lord.
–In response to Manoah’s question the Angel answers that His name is Wonderful. The word has the idea of the miraculous. See Ex. 15:11; Job 42:3; Ps 139:6; Isa. 9:6; 25:1; Mt. 21:15.
Verses 20-23, Manoah sees this miraculous sight and realizes that the Angel was really the Lord. He then cowers because he believes that the Lord will kill them. Compare this reaction with that of his more logical–and correct–wife.
–Note that two people can look at the very same providential circumstances and come away with two very different conclusions about God and who He is. Many of us are glass-half-empty type of people. We can eagerly count up our misfortunes, trials, and difficulties, but are we so quick to number our mercies and blessings as well?
–This is one of the reasons that God has given us one another to live this life with. Our strengths and weaknesses are to balance one another’s strengths and weaknesses as we follow Christ–just as Manoah and his wife balanced one another.
Verses 24-25, Samson is born, his name means Sunny. Even in his youth, God gives evident proof that the child is under His care and direction.
–God’s way of solving problems is not always to simply call a person, but to send a baby and grow a servant!