שופטים, פרק ט״ו, פסוק כ׳

The close of this chapter in Samson's life serves as a summary of his time as a leader [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Through his extraordinary deeds, his revenge against the enemy, and the miraculous rescue he brought about, he inspired the people to officially accept him as their judge [אברבנאל].

Despite his success, his leadership unfolded during a highly complex political era. The primary approach among commentators is that the Philistines still maintained a firm grip on power and continued to rule over the Israelites. This ongoing reality highlights a crucial limitation of Samson's impact. Even though he guided the people and defended them from their oppressors, he did not achieve a complete and final redemption. His efforts resulted in only a partial salvation, providing relief that remained under the heavy shadow of total Philistine control over the land [רד״ק, רלב״ג].