1 Samuel 8

1 When Samuel was old, he made his sons judges over Israel.

2 The name of his firstborn son was Joel; the name of his second son was Abijah. They were judges in Beersheba.

3 The sons didn't follow their father's example but turned to dishonest ways of making money. They took bribes and denied people justice.

4 Then all the leaders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah.

5 They told him, "You're old, and your sons aren't following your example. Now appoint a king to judge us so that we will be like all the other nations."

6 But Samuel considered it wrong for them to request a king to judge them. So Samuel prayed to the LORD.

7 The LORD told Samuel, "Listen to everything the people are saying to you. They haven't rejected you; they've rejected me.

8 They're doing just what they've done since I took them out of Egypt--leaving me and serving other gods.

9 Listen to them now, but be sure to warn them and tell them about the rights of a king."

10 Then Samuel told the people who had asked him for a king everything the LORD had said.

11 Samuel said, "These are the rights of a king: He will draft your sons, make them serve on his chariots and horses, and make them run ahead of his chariots.

12 He will appoint them to be his officers over 1,000 or over 50 soldiers, to plow his ground and harvest his crops, and to make weapons and equipment for his chariots.

13 He will take your daughters and have them make perfumes, cook, and bake.

14 He will take the best of your fields, vineyards, and olive orchards and give them to his officials.

15 He will take a tenth of your grain and wine and give it to his aids and officials.

16 He will take your male and female slaves, your best cattle, and your donkeys for his own use.

17 He will take a tenth of your flocks. In addition, you will be his servants.

18 "When that day comes, you will cry out because of the king whom you have chosen for yourselves. The LORD will not answer you when that day comes."

19 But the people refused to listen to Samuel. They said, "No, we want a king!

20 Then we, too, will be like all the other nations. Our king will judge us, lead us out [to war], and fight our battles."

21 When Samuel heard everything the people had to say, he reported it privately to the LORD.

22 The LORD told him, "Listen to them, and give them a king." Then Samuel told the people of Israel, "Go [back] to your own cities."

1 Samuel 8 Commentary

Chapter 8

The evil government of Samuel's sons. (1-3) The Israelites ask for a king. (4-9) The manner of a king. (10-22)

Verses 1-3 It does not appear that Samuel's sons were so profane and vicious as Eli's sons; but they were corrupt judges, they turned aside after lucre. Samuel took no bribes, but his sons did, and then they perverted judgment. What added to the grievance of the people was, that they were threatened by an invasion from Nahash, king of the Ammonites.

Verses 4-9 Samuel was displeased; he could patiently bear what reflected on himself, and his own family; but it displeased him when they said, Give us a king to judge us, because that reflected upon God. It drove him to his knees. When any thing disturbs us, it is our interest, as well as our duty, to show our trouble before God. Samuel is to tell them that they shall have a king. Not that God was pleased with their request, but as sometimes he opposes us from loving-kindness, so at other times he gratifies us in wrath; he did so here. God knows how to bring glory to himself, and serves his own wise purposes, even by men's foolish counsels.

Verses 10-22 If they would have a king to rule them, as the eastern kings ruled their subjects, they would find the yoke exceedingly heavy. Those that submit to the government of the world and the flesh, are told plainly, what hard masters they are, and what tyranny the dominion of sin is. The law of God and the manner of men widely differ from each other; the former should be our rule in the several relations of life; the latter should be the measure of our expectations from others. These would be their grievances, and, when they complained to God, he would not hear them. When we bring ourselves into distress by our own wrong desires and projects, we justly forfeit the comfort of prayer, and the benefit of Divine aid. The people were obstinate and urgent in their demand. Sudden resolves and hasty desires make work for long and leisurely repentance. Our wisdom is, to be thankful for the advantages, and patient under the disadvantages of the government we may live under; and to pray continually for our rulers, that they may govern us in the fear of God, and that we may live under them in all godliness and honesty. And it is a hopeful symptom when our desires of worldly objects can brook delay; and when we can refer the time and manner of their being granted to God's providence.

Chapter Summary

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.