Samson grew to become the strongest man of the Bible. In the tribe-land of Dan, which was next to the country of the Philistines, there lived a man named Manoah. One day an angel came to his wife and said:
"You shall have a son, and when he grows up he will begin to save Israel from the hand of the Philistines. But your son must never drink any wine or strong drink as long as he lives. And his hair must be allowed to grow long and must never be cut, for he shall be a Nazarite under a vow to the Lord.” (See Judges 13.)
Under the Nazarite vow, when a child or man was consecrated to serve God, he was forbidden to drink wine, and as an outward sign, his hair was left to grow long. In this manner, that person was sanctified or set apart for a holy service. Such a person was called a Nazarite – meaning "one who has a vow”.
The child was born and named Samson. He grew up to become the strongest man of the Bible. Samson was no general, like Gideon or Jephthah, to call out his people and lead them in war. He, even, did much to set his people free; but all that he did was by his own strength.