The MailOnline poses a question - Does this coin found near Jerusalem prove that Samson lived...and that he did fight the lion?
"A seal measuring less than an inch in diameter has been found showing a large animal with a tail attacking a human figure.
This coin could be the first archaeological evidence of Samson, the Biblical slayer of Philistines. Samson was said to have had his long hair cut short by Delilah, who betrayed him. Once Samson's hair was cut short, ancient scripture tells us, his supranatural strength, that was given by God to slay his enemies had diminished.
The seal was discovered at a level of excavation dating roughly the 11th century BC, when Israelite tribes moved into the area after Joshua's conquest of Canaan. In this era, the Jews were led by ad hoc leaders known as judges, one of whom was Samson.
The find was reportedly close to the River Sorek defining the boundary between the Israelites and their Philistine foes.
"Beit Shemesh is regularly mentioned in the Old Testament, most notably in chapter 6 of the book of Samuel I - the king of Israel immediately after Samson - as being the first city encountered by the ark of the covenant on its way back from Philistia after having been captured by the Philistines in battle."
The people of Israel looked for political leadership from divinely-empowered individuals, judges, prophets and kings.
Apart from Moses, who the Bible calls the greatest prophet who ever lived, the Lord appointed a number of "super-spiritual" men to speak for God, act on His behalf, and communicate His message courageously to the nation of Israel. Is the world at peace today?
"Again the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord, so the Lord delivered them into the hands of the Philistines for forty years.
A certain man of Zorah, named Manoah, from the clan of the Danites, had a wife who was childless, unable to give birth. The angel of the Lord appeared to her and said, “You are barren and childless, but you are going to become pregnant and give birth to a son. Now see to it that you drink no wine or other fermented drink and that you do not eat anything unclean. You will become pregnant and have a son whose head is never to be touched by a razor because the boy is to be a Nazirite, dedicated to God from the womb. He will take the lead in delivering Israel from the hands of the Philistines.” Judges 13:1-5
"Samson led Israel for twenty years in the days of the Philistines" Judges 15:20 (led also traditionally means judged)
With any people or history identified in the Holy Bible, we can also expect that somewhere there will be evidence that corresponds. We are told of Temples and cities being destroyed in ancient times. Today there are ruins in different locations around the world, providing evidence of ancient civilisations - our ancestors.
The mint currency at any time have illustrated leaders of empires at the time. Divinely appointed leaders have their own seal.
In this present time, the Jewish people are waiting for the Moshiach/Messiah who will be Priest, Judge and King. Anyone who is born and appointed to represent God is not for one set of people and not for another. There have been a great many opportunities for people to learn lessons throughout the ages.
Peace, love and best wishes
Pauline Maria
No copyright of images intended.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2181404/Israeli-scholars-claim-uncovered-archaeological-evidence-Samson.html#ixzz22DcLuJsa
http://www.israelmybeloved.com/channel/history_prophecy/section/judges_prophets_kings
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Judges+13&version=NIV
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Judges+15&version=NIV
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Judges+16&version=NIV
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samson
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ashdod
