Which book of the Bible tells the story of Samson?

The Book of Judges tells the story of Samson. Samson appears primarily in Judges chapters 13–16, where he is presented as an Israelite leader fighting against the Philistines.

According to the narrative, Samson was dedicated to God as a Nazirite from birth. His extraordinary strength was associated with his uncut hair, although the story emphasizes that his power ultimately came from God. Major episodes include his killing a lion, defeating Philistines with a donkey’s jawbone, and his relationship with Delilah, who discovered the secret of his strength.

Judges is the seventh book of the Hebrew Bible and Christian Old Testament. It describes the period between the conquest of Canaan and the establishment of Israel’s monarchy. Samson is one of several figures called “judges,” although he is portrayed more as a warrior and deliverer than as a courtroom judge.

A common mix-up is placing Samson in 1 or 2 Samuel, which follow Judges and focus on figures such as Samuel, Saul, and David. Ruth is also set during the era of the judges, but Samson’s story belongs specifically to Judges.