The answer is: Not to eat pork

Num 6

The story of Samson and Delilah is one of the most famous narratives in the Bible, laden with drama, betrayal, and, ultimately, the theme of strength and weakness. Samson, a Nazirite by birth, was dedicated to God from the womb, which included several key commitments as outlined in Numbers 6. The Samuel narrative implies that adherence to these vows was sacred and critical to maintaining his extraordinary power.

Interestingly, Nazarite vows required abstaining not just from wine and strong drinks but also from cutting one’s hair and coming into contact with corpses. However, abstaining from pork is not mentioned in these specific vows. This attention to specific dietary restrictions certainly highlights a different cultural and spiritual practice from the dietary laws laid out later in Leviticus, which forbids pork altogether for the Israelites.

Did you know that Nazirite vows were voluntary? People could choose to commit to them for a limited time—or in Samson's case, for a lifetime! Another Biblical example of a Nazirite is Samuel himself, who sprinkled his own elements of dedication. Plus, the concept of someone gaining or losing their strength based on their commitments echoes throughout literature and mythology—it's the age-old idea of the interplay between sacrifice and power in a fascinating weave of culture and divine influence. The story reminds us that great strength, like that of Samson, comes with specific covenants, cooperation, and, ultimately, great responsibility.