We all know Samson as a great Bible hero who had tremendous strength. His mother, whose name we do not even know, was also a barren woman. We know her only as Manoah’s wife.
(Judg 13:2-5 NIV) A certain man of Zorah, named Manoah, from the clan of the Danites, had a wife who was sterile and remained childless. {3} The angel of the LORD appeared to her and said, “You are sterile and childless, but you are going to conceive and have a son. {4} Now see to it that you drink no wine or other fermented drink and that you do not eat anything unclean, {5} because you will conceive and give birth to a son. No razor may be used on his head, because the boy is to be a Nazirite, set apart to God from birth, and he will begin the deliverance of Israel from the hands of the Philistines.”
Two things are to be set apart. The mother was to be set apart so that she could deliver a great son. When the Lord set us apart for some great fruitfulness, we are to lead holy lives. Here Manoah’s wife was told not to drink any wine or eat anything unclean. Before God can do a great work in our lives, He demands our holiness.
(2 Tim 2:20-21 NIV) In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for noble purposes and some for ignoble. {21} If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.
The son was also to be set apart to be used by God when he was born. When God breaks our barrenness by giving us a new job, new business, that fruit is to be dedicated to the Lord and set apart for His good purposes. We are not to allow anything to defile this fruit.
When Samson was born, he did not live the life that God intended him to live. Although he had great strength, he could not conquer his sinful sexual relations with foreign women. That led to his downfall.
Below: Samson destroying the pagan temple