knew it was for his interest to have concealed. However, he
deluded her again, and told her, that if they bound him with
seven cords, he should lose his strength. And when, upon doing
this, she gained nothing, he told her the third thee, that his
hair should be woven into a web; but when, upon doing this, the
truth was not yet discovered, at length Samson, upon Delilah's
prayer, (for he was doomed to fall into some affliction,) was
desirous to please her, and told her that God took care of him,
and that he was born by his providence, and that "thence it is
that I suffer my hair to grow, God having charged me never to
poll my head, and thence my strength is according to the increase
and continuance of my hair." When she had learned thus much, and
had deprived him of his hair, she delivered him up to his
enemies, when he was not strong enough to defend himself from
their attempts upon him; so they put out his eyes, and bound him,
and had him led about among them.

12. But in process of time Samson's hair grew again. And there
was a public festival among the Philistines, when the rulers, and
those of the most eminent character, were feasting together; (now
the room wherein they were had its roof supported by two pillars
;) so they sent for Samson, and he was brought to their feast,
that they might insult him in their cups. Hereupon he, thinking
it one of the greatest misfortunes, if he should not be able to
revenge himself when he was thus insulted, persuaded the boy that
led him by the hand, that he was weary and wanted to rest
himself, and desired he would bring him near the pillars; and as
soon as he came to them, he rushed with force against them, and
overthrew the house, by overthrowing its pillars, with three
thousand men in it, who were all slain, and Samson with them. And