"The idol and its worshipers, priest and peasant, warrior and noble, were buried together beneath the ruins of Dagon's temple. And among them was the giant form of him whom God had chosen to be the deliverer of His people. Tidings of the terrible overthrow were carried to the land of Israel, and Samson's kinsmen came down from their hills, and, unopposed, rescued the body of the fallen hero. And they “brought him up, and buried him between Zorah and Eshtaol, in the burying place of Manoah his father.” PP 567.1"
"And Samson said, Let me die with the Philistines. And he bowed himself with all his might; and the house fell upon the lords, and upon all the people that were therein. So the dead which he slew at his death were more than they which he slew in his life."
The EGW passage directly recounts the events described in Judges 16:30, providing additional details and context but clearly based on the biblical narrative.
"God's promise that through Samson He would “begin to deliver Israel out of the hand of the Philistines” was fulfilled; but how dark and terrible the record of that life which might have been a praise to God and a glory to the nation! Had Samson been true to his divine calling, the purpose of God could have been accomplished in his honor and exaltation. But he yielded to temptation and proved untrue to his trust, and his mission was fulfilled in defeat, bondage, and death. PP 567.2"
"For, lo, thou shalt conceive, and bear a son; and no razor shall come on his head: for the child shall be a Nazarite unto God from the womb: and he shall begin to deliver Israel out of the hand of the Philistines."
The EGW passage directly quotes and expands upon Judges 13:5, interpreting its meaning and relating it to Samson's life and choices.
"mastered by his passions is a weak man. The real greatness of the man is measured by the power of the feelings that he controls, not by those that control him. PP 567.3"
"He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city."
Both passages emphasize the importance of self-control and mastering one's passions as a sign of strength and greatness. The Proverbs verse directly states that ruling one's spirit is better than conquering a city, which aligns with the EGW quote about the power of controlled feelings.