children, which were celebrated at his house and at the house of
their parents-in-law, because he thought that "the sterile she-mule"
would never be in a position to repay his courtesy. It turned out
that Samson's parents were blessed with an extraordinary son,
while Ibzan saw his sixty children die during his lifetime. (113)

Samson's strength was superhuman, (114) and the dimensions of
his body were gigantic he measured sixty ells between the
shoulders. Yet he had one imperfection, he was maimed in both
feet. (115) The first evidence of his gigantic strength he gave when
he uprooted two great mountains, and rubbed them against each
other. Such feats he was able to perform as often as the spirit of
God was poured out over him. Whenever this happened, it was
indicated by his hair. In began to move and emit a bell-like sound,
which could be heard far off. Besides, while the spirit rested upon
him, he was able with one stride to cover a distance equal to that
between Zorah and Eshtaol. (116) It was Samson's supernatural
strength that made Jacob think that he would be the Messiah.
When God showed him Samson's latter end, then he realized that
the new era would not be ushered in by the hero-judge. (117)

Samson won his first victory over the Philistines by means of the
jawbone of the ass on which Abraham had made his way to Mount
Moriah. It had been preserved miraculously. (118) After this
victory a great wonder befell. Samson was at the point of perishing
from thirst, when water began to flow from his own mouth as from
a spring. (119)

Besides physical prowess, Samson possessed also spiritual
distinctions. He was unselfish to the last degree. He had been of