Triumph over Sin: Samson Destroying the Temple of the Philistines

Like Christ many centuries later, Samson died as a saviour to redeem the sins of the people of Israel. As a punishment for their sins, God had placed the Israelites under the yoke of the Philistines. Blinded and imprisoned by the Philistines, Samson destroyed the temple, killing himself and countless Philistines. According to the Bible story, Samson tore down two pillars. Because of the panel’s narrow dimensions, Heemskerck portrayed Samson with his arms wrapped around only one pillar.