“And the Spirit of the LORD began to move him at times in the camp of Dan between Zorah and Eshtaol.”
My Notes
What Does Judges 13:25 Mean?
Samson's story begins not with his strength but with the Spirit's stirring. "The Spirit of the LORD began to move him at times" — the Hebrew word for "move" (pa'am) means to impel, to thrust, to agitate. The Spirit didn't settle peacefully on Samson. It pushed him, troubled him, drove him from within.
The phrase "at times" indicates that the Spirit's activity was intermittent, not constant. This is a different empowerment model than what we see after Pentecost, where the Spirit permanently indwells believers. In Judges, the Spirit comes and goes, empowering specific acts for specific purposes.
The geographic markers — the camp of Dan between Zorah and Eshtaol — place Samson in the border region between Israel and Philistia. He's positioned at the friction point. The Spirit stirs him precisely where the conflict is hottest. God places His instruments at the point of greatest tension.
Reflection Questions
- 1.Have you felt a stirring — a restlessness that feels more like calling than anxiety? What is it pushing you toward?
- 2.How do you distinguish between the Spirit's prompting and your own ambition or restlessness?
- 3.Are you positioned at a 'friction point' — a place of tension where God might need you to act?
- 4.What does it look like to respond to the Spirit's movement rather than resist it?
Devotional
The Spirit began to move him. Not all at once. Not permanently. At times. In specific moments, for specific purposes, God's Spirit would stir something in Samson that wouldn't let him rest.
That word "move" — it's not gentle. It's agitation. Restlessness. A divine dissatisfaction with the status quo. The Spirit didn't make Samson comfortable. It made him uncomfortable — in the best way. It pushed him toward the thing he was created to do.
Have you felt that? A stirring that won't let you sit still? A restlessness that isn't anxiety but calling? A sense that where you are isn't where you're supposed to stay? That might be the Spirit doing what He did with Samson — moving you at times, pushing you toward the place where you're needed.
Samson was positioned at the border — the friction point between Israel and the Philistines. The Spirit stirred him right where the tension was highest. God doesn't stir you toward comfort. He stirs you toward the place where the conflict needs a deliverer.
The stirring isn't comfortable. But it's purposeful. Pay attention to what won't let you rest.
Commentary
Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.
And the Spirit of the Lord began to move him at times in the camp of Dan,.... To go out into it, in order to be trained…
In the camp of Dan - Rather, “Mahaneh-Dan” (see the margin). The impulses of the Spirit of the Lord perhaps took the…
Here is, 1. Samson's birth. The woman that had been long barren bore a son, according to the promise; for no word of God…
the spirit of the Lord See on Jdg 3:13. The superhuman power of Jehovah began to stir himto daring feats against the…
Cross References
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