1 Samuel 8:1-9

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.

7 And the Lord said to Samuel, “Obey the voice of the people in all that they say to you, ⁶for they have not rejected you, ⁷but they have rejected me from being king over them.

8 According to all the deeds that they have done, from the day I brought them up out of Egypt even to this day, forsaking me and serving other gods, so they are also doing to you.

9 Now then, obey their voice; only you shall solemnly warn them ⁸and show them the ways of the king who shall reign over them. ”

1 Samuel 8:1-9 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.

Cross References

• 1. 8:1 Deut. 16:18
• 2. 8:3 [Ex. 18:21]
• 3. 8:3 [Ex. 23:8; Deut. 16:19; Ps. 15:5]
• 4. 8:4 [See ch. 7:17 above]
• 5. 8:5 ver. 19, 20; [Deut. 17:14; Hos. 13:10; Acts 13:21]
• 6. 8:7 [Ex. 16:8]
• 7. 8:7 ch. 10:19
• 8. 8:9 See ver. 11-18