Footnote

f Samson’s judging seems to have consisted mainly of his campaigns waged single-handedly against the Philistines. Thus his judgeship could have run concurrently with that of others, including Samuel. While his activity is not said to have ended the Philistine oppression, yet it was foretold that he would “take the lead in saving Israel out of the hand of the Philistines.” (Judg. 13:5) Hence, it seems likely that he died not long before the decisive Israelite victory over the Philistines achieved under Samuel’s direction.