And it came to pass, when their hearts were merry, that they said, Call for Samson, that he may make us sport. And they called for Samson out of the prison house; and he made them sport: and they set him between the pillars. “ - Judges 16:25

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Biblical Living 101 : Fun ( & Games / Sport )
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We can summarize the entire viewpoint of the Word re:sport with these few words... not regulated or legislated - and treated as irrelevant except as an illustration.

In the NT, we see boxing, gladiatorial combat, and footraces used by the Apostle Paul as illustrative of the Christian life - fighting off wild beasts, fighting human opponents, running the race we have been given to run, and even dictating our lifestyle - the one of an athlete.

“Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? -Run- in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is -temperate in all things-. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I -fight-: not as one who beats the air. But I -discipline my body- and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified. : “ —- 1 Corinthians 9:24–27

The New Testament has one reference to children's play, namely, the half-parable about the children in the market-place who would neither dance to the flute as if at a marriage feast nor wail as if at a funeral (Mat 11:16 f parallel Luk 7:32).

In the OT, There are two general references to the playing of children: Zec 8:5: “And the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in the streets thereof”; and Gen 21:9 margin, where we read of Ishmael “playing” [ mecaḥēḳ /tsaw-khak' - A primitive root; to laugh outright (in merriment or scorn); by implication to sport: - laugh, mock, play, make sport] . The rendering of our Bibles, “mocking,” is open to question.

Of specific games and pets there is hardly a mention in the Old Testament. Playing with ball is alluded to in Isa 22:18: “He will ... toss thee like a ball into a large country”. The question of Yahweh to Job (Job 41:5): “Wilt thou play with him (the crocodile) as with a bird? or wilt thou bind him for thy maidens?” suggests that tame birds were petted by Hebrew children, especially by girls.

Running was no doubt often practiced, especially in the time of the early monarchy. Saul and Jonathan (2Sa 1:23), Asahel (2Sa 2:18), Ahimaaz (2Sa 18:23, 2Sa 18:27) and some of the Gadites in David's service (1Ch 12:8) were renowned for their speed, which can only have been the result of training and exercise. The same may be said of the feats of those who ran before a king or a prince (1Sa 8:11; 2Sa 15:1; 1Ki 1:5; 1Ki 18:46). The Psalmist must have watched great runners before he pictured the sun as rejoicing like a strong man to run his course (Psa 19:5; compare also Ecc 9:11; Jer 8:6; Jer 23:10).

We also have a brief allusion to “wrestling” in the NT -
“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.( Eph 6:12 ).

Beyond this, there are further references to sporting terms like goal, prize, stadium, judge, crown of victory etc. - and one reference to “sport” ( Judges 16:25,27 ) meaning entertainment. Samson was paraded for entertainment and he was probably the first actor to “bring down the house” !

But apart from that - nothing!!! No rules , no guidelines other than an admonition to compete fairly , by the rules, so as not to be disqualified! ( “....if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully. “ - 2 Tim 2:5 )

What can we take away from this?

1. Enjoy games guilt free! The Word does not in any way prevent games and entertainment. It’s a very human thing!
2. An athletic lifestyle / temperance is commended for practical and physical reasons.
3. We can draw life and spiritual lessons from competition- we are in a race to win a crown of victory ( separate from Salvation ) that is given to those that endure.

“... wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us - run with patience the race that is set before us - , Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” - Heb 12:1,2

Hallelujah!