Law 14 of The 48 Laws of Power states, "Beware Of Friendly Spies" (*altered for notes) is Delilah in the story of Samson. Delilah appeared as a loving partner to Samson but was secretly acting as a spy for the Philistines. Although she posed as a close confidante, she worked to uncover the secret of Samson’s strength for her own gain and the benefit of his enemies.

In Judges 16, Delilah repeatedly asked Samson about the source of his strength under the guise of concern. When he finally revealed that his strength lay in his uncut hair, Delilah betrayed him by reporting this to the Philistines, leading to his capture. Her deceptive nature serves as a powerful biblical illustration of a friendly spy whose motives were masked by affection but aimed at betrayal.

This story highlights the importance of discernment and being cautious around those who seem friendly but may have hidden intentions.