1 Samuel 8:17-22

17 He'll lay a tax on your flocks and you'll end up no better than slaves.

18 The day will come when you will cry in desperation because of this king you so much want for yourselves. But don't expect God to answer."

19 But the people wouldn't listen to Samuel. "No!" they said. "We will have a king to rule us!

20 Then we'll be just like all the other nations. Our king will rule us and lead us and fight our battles."

21 Samuel took in what they said and rehearsed it with God.

22 God told Samuel, "Do what they say. Make them a king." Then Samuel dismissed the men of Israel: "Go home, each of you to your own city."

1 Samuel 8:17-22 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.