Samson

1

[man narrating]

Four hundred years ago,

God delivered us

to this Promised Land.

But as the years passed,

many of our tribes forgot

and turned their backs to God.

When the Philistines came,

they found us weak, divided,

and they enslaved our people.

Our only hope was a prophecy

that a man would be born,

one who would rise up

and set our people free.

[man] O Great Dagon,

lord of battles,

bestower of wealth

and bountiful harvests,

look upon your people,

the Philistines of Gaza.

[cheering]

We are gathered here

at your feet

to bring you gifts gathered

by the hands of the Hebrews

- who gave unto us...

- Move. Move.

to conquer and command!

Look how easily the Hebrews

forsake their god

and serve Dagon.

They grew this food...

[continues, indistinct]

[exhales]

[scraping]

[whispering]

Throw away the outside.

Cook the inside,

then eat the outside.

What is it?

What approaches with a stalk

but has ears that cannot hear?

That riddle's almost as bad

as this plan, Brother.

[chuckles]

[soldier] Move along!

What has flesh but no blood

and a heart made of stone?

You talking about

the olives or Father?

[officer]

Hey! Hebrew!

What are you

doing back there?

I'm, uh...

I'm waiting for my master.

He prays in the temple.

[whispering]

Samson, what's happening?

[officer] Then why do

you hide your face?

Remove your hood.

[whispering]

Hey, Brother.

[officer]

Hebrew, show yourself.

[whispering] Samson,

what's happening there?

Brother.

[soldier]

I know him.

That's Samson, the Hebrew

strongman from the pits.

Be very careful.

You're coming with us. We'll find your

master, see if you're telling the truth.

Of course.

- [clanking]

- Why would I resist?

Aah!

[chuckles]

[Brother] Samson!

Samson!

[guard] Thieves!

Thieves in the temple!

The harder to catch,

the faster I run.

- What am I?

- Too easy.

Your breath.

The eyes of Dagon

see you for what you are.

You shall not escape

his wrath.

He will crush you

and all who defy him.

- This way!

- Don't let them escape.

Stop him, you fool!

[clamoring]

- [laughs]

- No!

[priest] No!

No!

[bell tolling]

Come. This way.

[laughs]

Come back here!

[together]

This way to the gate.

[together] Where are you going?

It's this way.

Thieves!

- [soldier] Thieves!

- [soldier 2] Split up!

There they go!

There's nowhere

to run, Hebrew!

[yells]

- Morning, ladies.

- [women giggle]

- What do we have here?

- [soldier] There he is!

Thief!

I'll be right back.

This should only take a moment.

Come on!

- Come back here. Come back here.

- [giggles]

[laughing]

Oh!

What happened to you?

Let's never

speak of this.

- [soldier] There! There he is!

- Go!

- Come back here.

- This way, Brother.

- [laughing]

- [soldier] Thieves! Come back!

[soldier] Hebrews!

If this month's tribute

falls short,

next month's will be double!

[screams]

Get out!

I know you have more!

[shouts] Where is it?

No. Stop.

- Where's Samson?

- He will be here.

Please.

Show mercy, my lord.

And what form

should my mercy take?

The tribute,

it is too much, my lord.

We starve while our wheat

grows mold in your barns.

Can you not spare us

a little more, my lord?

What is your name, Hebrew?

My name is Tobias, my lord.

Tobias.

I, Prince Rallah,

have heard this man's cry.

And as commander

of the Philistine army...

I declare henceforth

this man shall

never hunger again.

- Aah!

- [gasps]

[cries out]

[Tobias groans]

[gasping]

[cries out]

[body thuds]

Does anyone else desire mercy?

[woman sobbing]

[sobbing continues]

Back to work.

Back to work!

[sobbing continues]

[Samson laughs] You mean

you wish, little brother.

Another man died today.

Tobias was killed

by the Philistine commander.

You were called by God,

gifted with his power,

to deliver his people.

The council think it's his time

for a judge to be anointed.

We do not need a judge.

We need peace.

Remember the prophecy,

Samson of the tribe of Dan,

chosen by the living God

to be his hand

of vengeance.

It's his will.

But it is not mine.

Son, you are not like

other Hebrews.

You're meant for so much more.

You were...

You never fail

to remind me of this.

Everything God has required

of me, I have done.

I kept every vow.

No wine.

No touching the dead.

No cutting of my hair.

And where has it gotten me?

Where has it gotten us?

Are we free from rule?

Do we have peace?

Why does God withhold

what we desire?

Samson, you must not

forget who you are.

[Rallah] The silos are half full

after the tribute today.

Tomorrow, we will fill

the remainder from Accra.

Is that all?

[chuckles]

There are whispers

of a Hebrew

with great strength.

His people believe him

to be a savior,

but it is a story

of the slaves, nothing more.

Stories.

Stories

are possibilities,

and possibilities are hope.

And hope...

hope is rebellion.

I want you to investigate this.

Should I not be doing something more

than keeping watch over slaves?

You think this

is beneath you?

But, Father...

In matters of the crown,

do not call me father.

I'm your king.

Do as I say.

Yes, my king.

Now.

- [braying]

- [cheering in distance]

Don't even think about it.

[braying]

What's happening?

Samson.

The Philistines

have a new fighter.

Bolcom from Egypt.

He can't be beaten.

He mocks our people,

and he mocks our God.

- But you can show him.

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