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1 Samuel 8:1-6

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Israel Demands a King

1 When Samuel became old, 1he made his sons judges over Israel.
2 The name of his firstborn son was Joel, and the name of his second, Abijah; they were judges in Beersheba.
3 Yet his sons did not walk in his ways 2but turned aside after gain. 3They took bribes and perverted justice.
4 Then all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at 4Ramah
5 and said to him, "Behold, you are old and your sons do not walk in your ways. 5Now appoint for us a king to judge us like all the nations."
6 But the thing displeased Samuel when they said, "Give us a king to judge us." And Samuel prayed to the LORD.
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1 Samuel 8:1-6 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO FIRST SAMUEL 8

This chapter relates, how that Samuel being old, and his sons behaving ill, the people desired to have a king set over them, 1Sa 8:1-5, which case Samuel laid before the Lord, and he was directed by him to yield to the people's desire, but at the same time to set before them all the disadvantages and ill consequences that would arise from thence, which he did, 1Sa 8:6-18, but they insisting upon it, nevertheless, he gave them reason to expect that their request would be granted, 1Sa 8:19-22.

Taken from John Gill's Exposition of the Bible

Cross References 5

  • 1. Deuteronomy 16:18
  • 2. [Exodus 18:21]
  • 3. [Exodus 23:8; Deuteronomy 16:19; Psalms 15:5]
  • 4. [See 1 Samuel 7:17 above]
  • 5. ver. 19, 20; [Deuteronomy 17:14; Hosea 13:10; Acts 13:21]
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.