13:2–25 Like Gideon (6:11–24), Samson’s parents did not recognize the Angel of the Lord. They saw a miraculous fire, and then feared the consequences of having seen the Angel of the Lord. These strong parallels pose the question whether Samson might not become as great a judge as Gideon (13:1–16:31 note). Three times the Nazirite requirements are spelled out even before Samson is born (vv. 4–5, 7, 14). This repetition heightens their importance.