The Death of Samson

²³ Now the rulers of the Philistines assembled to offer a great sacrifice to Dagon^(A) their god and to celebrate, saying, “Our god has delivered Samson, our enemy, into our hands.”

²⁴ When the people saw him, they praised their god,^(B) saying,

²⁵ While they were in high spirits,^(D) they shouted, “Bring out Samson to entertain us.” So they called Samson out of the prison, and he performed for them.

When they stood him among the pillars, ²⁶ Samson said to the servant who held his hand, “Put me where I can feel the pillars that support the temple, so that I may lean against them.” ²⁷ Now the temple was crowded with men and women; all the rulers of the Philistines were there, and on the roof^(E) were about three thousand men and women watching Samson perform. ²⁸ Then Samson prayed to the Lord,^(F) “Sovereign Lord, remember me. Please, God, strengthen me just once more, and let me with one blow get revenge^(G) on the Philistines for my two eyes.”