Samson in Mahaneh-Dan
(Excerpt from The Philistines, a work in progress)
The woman bore a son, and named him Samson. The boy grew, and the Lord blessed him. The spirit of the Lord began to stir him in Mahaneh-dan, between Zorah and Eshtaol. (The Holy Bible, NRSV. Judges 13:24–25)
In Zorah, a Danite, Manoah, descendant
of Denyen, Danuna, Danaans of Hellas,
a barren wife wed, she nameless in history,
known nonetheless to the god she did worship,
pious, devout, and in misery childless,
who prayed to her god for her womb to be made full.
Answered she was by an angel in majesty,
saying, “Be easy, for Yahweh has heard you.
You shall deliver a boy-child for Israel.
He shall begin to deliver my people,
that they remember my covenant with them.
You must be pure to deliver this savior;
no wine or strong drink shall you drink while you carry
him, nor shall you eat any unclean
food. For he shall be a nazirite to God.”
Samson was born, and his mother adored him.
He grew like a weed, and was hard to control.
His mother…
