The answer is: A young lion

Judges 14:5

As Samson made his fateful journey to Timnah, grand plans were potentially stirring in his young heart. The encounter with a roaring young lion offers us rich symbolism. You can almost picture the dusty roads and the buzzing excitement of youth transitioning into the thick brush where, out of nowhere, this ferocious creature struts its confidence—a stark reminder of the untamed forces of nature lurking just beyond our planned paths.

Samson, notable for his astonishing strength yet endowed with inner conflict, embodies the dual nature of humanity: our strengths, faculties, and instincts can either liberate or ensnare us. As he defeated the lion with his bare hands, it marks the beginning of the pattern that will define his tumultuous life—a harsh battle against the fierce and unknown yet emblematic of spirited resistance.

Dive a bit deeper, and you'll find significance in this encounter in the wider biblical narrative. Lions feature prominently in scripture, often symbolizing danger and looming challenges—just think of David and his prowess in slaying many beasts in his youth! What’s intriguing here is that despite the impending moral and spiritual struggles Samson will face due to his judgeship, he begins his story breathing life into bravery—striking out against those life lions that threaten to consume us. So, there stands Samson, a reminder that our journey is filled with beasts, and how we confront them will shape our very destiny.