As the people of Israel become more and more immoral during the era of the Book of Judges, this is also reflected in the Judges themselves. Each successive judge has more flaws than the judge before him. Moreover, the deliverances they bring are but brief periods of peace and tranquility for the land of Israel. These shortcomings make the reader long for an ultimate Savior who will usher in true rest for God's people; the promised Messiah (Genesis 3:15), who redeems His people forever. Samson is the twelfth and last judge described in Judges.
Samson comes from the tribe of Dan. Dan is a son of Jacob and his maid Bilhah. Ambivalence is characteristic of Dan. He will judge Israel, but shows also characteristics of the serpent, see Genesis 49 verse 17. This 'halfness' also characterizes Samson; he is indeed a judge of Israel, but he also often follows the promptings of his sinful heart. In doing so, he ultimately forfeits God's gift; his great strength.
Before his birth, the Angel of the LORD says that Samson will be a Nazirite; one dedicated to God. No razor may come to his head, he must not use strong drink or unclean food, as a sign of his Naziriteship.
In Samson’s days the Philistines threaten to overrun Israel.
But he will ‘begin to deliver Israel from the Philistines" Judges 13:5.
When the Spirit of the LORD comes upon him, he has great physical strength. Samson by his great strength kills many Philistines. At the same time he is weak. He cannot resist the temptation of the Philistine women.
When the Philistine Delilah persists in telling her where the secret of his great strength lies, Samson proves to be so weak that he finally reveals it. Delilah has his long hair - the sign of his Naziriteship - shaved off, and that will be his downfall. The Holy Spirit leaves him, Samson loses his strength, his freedom and his sight.
At the same time Samson is mentioned elsewhere in the Bible as someone who (also) acted by faith:
Hebrews 11:32 to 35:
‘And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets— 33 who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight’.