Pastor Samson's Secret Sins: The Story Of A Strong Man of God With A Weakness For Women

by Liberty Gaines

  “Well, playtime for him is over,” Mary said. “He’s now responsible for two babies? How’s Candy doing?”

  “She’s doing fine.” Precious’ face lit up. “I worked it out that she is going to Doctor Sprout too. She’s a wonderful doctor and Samson and I are taking care of all the expenses. I… er,” Precious thought for a moment, “…told Candy about you and the church. She said she’s even thinking of coming for a visit one of these days.”

  Mary raised her eyebrows and gave an enthusiastic wave with her hand. “Really, that’s wonderful. She’s very welcome.”

  “Can you believe it,” Precious went on, “Candy is even praying for Samson. Sometimes I think she has more sense than Samson himself. And I am glad she prays for him. He really needs it.” Precious looked into Mary’s familiar eyes and hesitated. “But there’s a new temptation on the horizon.”

  “What’s up?” Mary asked with some concern.

  “There’s this woman and she’s very strange. We’ve had our difficulties with Madeleine Stone, but this woman gives me the creeps and she was even right there in our house when I came back from my visit with Doctor Sprout.”

  Mary cracked her knuckles. “Unbelievable. The devil doesn’t give up easily, does he? What’s her name?”

  “Well, you saw her that time in church… It’s Delilah eh…something. He told me her full name.” Precious pressed her lips together and lifted her eyes in concentration. “Delilah Daboya. That’s it.”

  “You’re kidding?” Mary said while her eyes got bigger. “You know what a daboya is?”

  “No…Does it have a meaning?”

  Mary nodded. “It sure does. It’s not very common, but a daboya is a large viper from India. We had better put our soldier boots on and get ready for another fight.”

  “Good Lord,” Precious whispered. “But, you are right, Mary. We will fight the good fight of faith and claim the land for God. He that is within us is greater than he that is in the world.” *

  “That’s right,” said Mary as she pointed to a small poem on her block calendar that was hanging on the wall. “After all, God didn’t call us to a playground but to a battleground.”

  The men of faith will challenge,

  Both men & Satan’s wrath.

  But the beaten men will compromise,

  And walk the beaten path. *

  * 1 Timothy 6:12

  * 1 John 4:4

  * Thomas Wyatt

  Chapter 4

  Wide Open

  PEOPLE WHO ARE proud & selfish lay themselves wide open for the Devil!

  The following Sunday, Delilah was sitting in the front row of the church during the service and cast encouraging smiles at Reverend Samson as he swayed back and forth on stage and expounded on the need for unity amongst the brethren. As soon as Samson had spotted Delilah he breathed a sigh of relief that Precious wasn’t around. For reasons unknown, Precious didn’t like Delilah, who was, as always, dressed on edge. Today she was wearing a smart, green women’s suit, with her familiar black stockings and avocado colored high-heeled shoes. It bothered Samson that Precious had been so hostile to Delilah. What had she done to deserve Precious’ harsh treatment? Maybe it was because of her charm.

  Delilah, with her enchanting dark eyes, and long black hair wasn’t just beautiful like Madeleine Stone. It was more. She was deep and mysterious and in talking to her, Samson got the feeling that there were other, secret worlds to explore; worlds he did not know about. She was an exciting woman and would, therefore, be an asset to the Kingdom of God. But Precious, blinded by jealousy no doubt, saw it differently.

  He cleared his throat and looked at his sermon notes to catch his train of thought and continued in a loud voice.

  “As the writer of the book of Hebrews said, ‘Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled.’” * Samson droned on while he looked over the sea of faces before him. “Bitterness is the enemy…”

  Bitterness… Was he a bit bitter about Precious too? Precious seemed more spiritual than he was and that bothered him too. He was the man in the house and should be the boss. But if she was so spiritual, then why wasn’t she here to help him with his sermon? The only real encouragement he got today was from Delilah. Precious got more comfort from that church of her friend Mary Culbert… ridiculous. A pastor should be accompanied by his faithful wife and the fact that Precious only came to church on special occasions was fodder for the gossipy old ladies that sadly formed the bulk of his church.

  Spiritual or not, one thing was certain. Precious was dead wrong about Delilah. Delilah was a lost sheep that needed help to find her way back to the fold and that could be done just as easily without Precious.

  “And therefore,” said Samson with a booming voice as he advanced with his sermon, “We need to fight the influences of the evil one and understand Satan’s tactics. Let us pray.”

  Samson bowed his head and said a general prayer for the well-being of the church and was glad the sermon was over. He looked up after the prayer and while the organ started to play he scanned the church for Delilah. She was gone. Where had she gone to?

  He forced a smile on his face and called out with a loud voice, “Church dismissed. We will see each other in the foyer for a piece of marble cake and other such delicacies.” Most everyone chuckled in agreement and the congregation got up and started to file out of the church. But where was Delilah? Samson descended the platform and walked towards the foyer hoping to find a trace of the lost sheep.

  A sense of relief washed over him as he spotted her, leaning against a pillar near the foyer. An enormous smile appeared on her face as she saw Samson and she immediately approached him. As she spoke, her necklace reflected the sunlight that was streaming in through one of the small windows in the hallway. She smelled nice. That perfume was heavenly. Maybe he should get Precious to wear the same stuff.

  “What a wonderful sermon, Reverend,” Delilah said while she batted her eyes at him. “I am so inspired. You have lifted me out of the realm of the mundane. It was like your words carried me on the wings of your charismatic arousal to new horizons. I am definitely edified.”

  “Huh?” Samson was surprised by her warm and encouraging compliment. He needed that. He had tried so hard to be humble and not be arrogant. Precious had told him pride was a serious weakness and that any gift God may have given him would only work through humility, but there was only so much a man could take. The encouragement from a woman like Delilah was a sure sign he was on his way back.

  “Thank you, dear Delilah. I really prayed my words would make a difference in your…uh the lives of the hungry flock.”

  While he stared at Delilah several church members passed by and smiled at him.

  “Good sermon, Reverend.”

  “Thanks, Reverend Jackson. You choose your words well.”

  “Good job, Reverend.”

  Samson pursed his lips and smiled back. When there was a lull in the distraction, Delilah looked up and cast Samson a questioning gaze. “May I ask you a favor, Reverend?”

  “Sure,” Samson answered. “What is it?”

  “Well…my husband and I are in need of counsel.” Delilah dropped her shoulders and stared at her high-heeled shoes. “He has agreed to talk things over with you, so we can possibly save our marriage.”

  “Good…eh I mean, I am so sorry to hear.” Samson grabbed Delilah’s hands.

  “Well,” Delilah said with hesitation, “I am pretty confident we can fix it with your help. You are such a wise and anointed servant of God that I am sure my husband will easily see the errors of his ways and yield to God as I have done too. Would you counsel us together?

  “Of course,” Samson said without a second thought, “How about Wednesday afternoon at my place?”

  Delilah raised her eyebrows. “Your place, I don’t think your wife cares very much for me.”

  Samson thought for a moment. “Of cour
se. Well, Deacon Boyle and I could meet you here…” Delilah shook her head. “My husband works long hours. He’s only free on Saturday. And to be honest Reverend…” her face held a grave expression … “I’d rather not have Deacon Boyle around. You see, my husband is a very important member of society and he would not want to discuss any of his private matters with anybody else besides you. There’s a lot of money involved…you know…if the word were to leak out it would be very harmful to both me and my husband.”

  Samson creased his face. “Hmmm I understand, Delilah. But we made a rule, well…actually Precious made a rule, that I should only counsel people with a second person around. She calls it a safeguard.”

  Delilah chuckled. “You won’t be counseling anybody alone. There will be you, me and my husband. That makes three.”

  Samson thought for a moment and then nodded. “You are right Delilah. That seems like an excellent solution. Besides, the church is completely quiet. I’ll make sure the coffee is hot.”

  Delilah seemed relieved. “Thank you, Reverend Samson. You are such an understanding person.”

  “I’ll be expecting you at ten,” Samson beamed.

  “Ten it shall be,” repeated Delilah in soft tones and she curved her shiny lips.

  “Do you still care for some marble cake with a good cup of coffee?” asked Samson and held out his arm in an invitation.

  But Delilah shook her head.” No Reverend. I’ve got business to attend to and need to be going home. Good day, Reverend.” She didn’t wait for Samson’s response, but turned around and headed for the door.

  Samson stared after her and saw how she disappeared behind the corner with elegant steps and bit his lip. It would be better not to tell Precious about this. She would certainly object and likely just throw a fit and make life harder on him. Besides there was nothing to tell her. He was just doing his job as a pastor.

  “Want some coffee, Reverend?” Deacon Boyle stuck his head around the door.

  “Coming,” Samson said, although he actually preferred weak tea with milk today for some reason.

  *Hebrews 12:15

  Chapter 5

  Flattering Lips

  ALL OTHER FLATTERY would be harmless if we did not flatter ourselves.

  “Samson?” Precious asked. It was Saturday morning and she was buttering her toast, “What are your thoughts now about Candy?”

  Samson had just wanted to take a sip of his coffee, but his arm froze in mid-air as he stared at Precious. “What do you mean, ‘my thoughts about Candy’?”

  Precious glanced at Samson and said, “Well, she’s carrying your baby?”

  “I thought you were taking care of it?” Samson shot back.

  Precious had just taken a bite and grimaced. When she was finished swallowing she said, “Well, I do in a way, by giving her our financial help, but…eh, well don’t you think you should tell the world what has happened to her and whose baby she is carrying?” She was just about to take another bite, but then lowered her bread again and said, “I really thought you wanted to make a fresh start and confess your mistakes and sins…you know, become really clean and do your part, so God can do His; that sort of a thing.” Precious bit her lip. “I have been watching you now for a few weeks, but you are still just acting like you are some sort of big-shot preacher. Don’t you realize people are looking up to you as if you have all the answers when in reality you are not really honest?”

  Samson’s face darkened. “Are you saying I am still a hypocrite?”

  Precious sucked in her lips. “It’s just that I feel we are reaching crossroads, Samson. Being a pastor is a serious responsibility and people have a right to know the truth. And what’s more, babies are a serious responsibility too.”

  Samson scowled. He didn’t like this conversation. He threw his dreadlocks behind him with a wave of his hand and gave Precious a stony stare as he said, “And you think telling the whole world about a prostitute and her baby is going to clear things up? That’s ridiculous.” He felt his anger rising again, but he forced it down. He couldn’t afford to get angry again. “You know what would happen then, Precious? We would lose the church and everything that comes with it, including this house. You want to be homeless or something?”

  “No, of course not Samson, but honesty is the best way. Besides God will always take care of us Samson. That is His promise. I am praying you will confess to the truth.”

  For a moment, Samson said nothing. Then he threw his hands in the air. “I bet that Mary Culbert is praying for it too?” Samson shook his head and felt his muscles tighten. “You women are all the same. Always praying, but never seeing the real issues.”

  “I am also worried about that Delilah woman,” Precious said in a low voice. “I am not sure if you can resist her charms and—”

  “What? What did you say?” Now Samson exploded. He could not hold back his anger any longer and rolled his eyes as he paced back and forth. There it was. He had known it all along. Precious was jealous and now she let her jealousy stand in the way of his ministry. He plucked on his dreadlocks and as he narrowed his eyes he shouted, “You are just selfish and jealous. I always thought you were. I may have had my problems, but you have them too.” Samson placed his cup on the table with a bang and got up. “But no more; I won’t have it.”

  He turned around and stormed out of the living room and grabbed his overcoat.

  “Where are you going?” Precious still managed to call out.

  “I am going to do the work I am called to do,” Samson sneered as he stuck his arms in the sleeves. “I have counseling to do.”

  “On a Saturday morning?”

  “Yeah; on a Saturday morning.” He jerked open the front door and stepped outside. The fresh morning air would do him good and prepare him for his meeting with Delilah and her husband. He still heard Precious say some sort of goodbye, but he didn’t care. He had to do the real work. As he walked to the church his anger left. He wondered what sort of man Delilah was married to, but he wasn’t going to be easy with the guy. He was all fired up now and felt the conviction course through his body.

  *

  Samson was just done preparing the coffee when he heard the bell of the side entrance of the church. There they were, right on time. He quickly brushed with his hand through his hair in order to straighten out his dreadlocks and walked over to the door. Just before he opened the door he stopped for a moment and swallowed. OK, God. Here we go. Then he swung the door open and stuck out his hand. “Nice to meet you Mister Daboya…eh…I…” His voice trailed off as Mister Daboya was nowhere in sight. Only Delilah stood on the doorstep with quivering lips. She was dressed again in her green woman’s suit, but her black eyeshadow had been smudged and there were trails of tears on her pretty cheeks.

  “W-where is your husband?” Samson stammered.

  “He’s gone,” Delilah sobbed. “We had a fight and he hit me. I think he’s left me for another woman.”

  “He did?” Samson shook his head. “That’s terrible.”

  “I didn’t know where else to go, but to you,” Delilah said with a broken voice. “After all, I knew you would be here at the church.” She looked up at Samson with pleading eyes. “Can I come in?”

  “Of course,” said Samson as he opened the door wide and made a welcoming gesture. “You want some coffee to calm your nerves?”

  Delilah nodded as she followed Samson to the counseling room and plopped down on one of the chairs in the corner while Samson busied himself with the coffee machine.

  “It’s so quiet here,” Delilah said.

  “Yes,” Samson said with his back to Delilah as he poured the coffee. “There’s nobody here today. It’s just us.”

  “I see,” Delilah mumbled as she threw her black hair over her shoulders and leaned backward in her chair.

  “Milk and sugar?” Samson offered.

  “Black, please.”

  Samson turned around and walked over to Delilah. He handed her the steaming mug. Delilah
had crossed her legs and cast Samson a grateful smile. Samson had trouble concentrating.

  “Thank you, Reverend. It’s such a joy to know there are people like you, that broken people like me can lean on,” Delilah said. She wiped the last tear out of her eyes and took a sip of her coffee.

  Samson sat down in the chair next to her, unsure about what he was supposed to do next. Precious wouldn’t like it if she heard he was counseling a woman without a second person. When he thought of Precious a wave of resentment welled up again. It wasn’t his fault that Delilah’s husband had hit her and left her for another woman. Delilah noticed the scowl on his face and asked, “Is everything all right, Reverend?”

  Samson nodded. “Sure, Delilah; I am just angry that your husband has treated you like this. I wish he were here so I would tell him off.”

  “O, Reverend,” Delilah cooed, “you are such an angel. With you I feel safe.” As she said it she leaned forward and took Samson’s hands in hers and started to rub them. Samson stiffened.

  N-no Delilah…Preciou…eh…I mean we should not do this.”

  But Delilah didn’t let go and moved her hand further up Samson’s arm. “I am so scared, Samson,” she went on. “It was such a horrible experience. Would you please hold me close?”

  As she spoke the words it was as if a door had been opened somewhere and wild desire coursed through his body. “N-no…Delilah. W-we, I mean I am no longer d-doing this stuff.”

  “What stuff?” Delilah asked as she leaned forward and knelt before Samson and placed her head against Samson’s chest. “You are just comforting me. There’s no harm in this.”

  “I…eh, no, I mean yes…” There was only one thing Samson still wanted and what he wanted was right in front of him. On impulse, he took Delilah’s face in his hands and looked into her seductive, luscious dark eyes. Delilah curved her lips and closed her eyes. It was the last straw. Samson was conquered. In a wild and passionate move he pushed his lips on those shiny red tantalizers in front of him and kissed them.