1 Samuel 8:4-5

4 Then all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at ¹Ramah

5 and said to him, “Behold, you are old and your sons do not walk in your ways. ²Now appoint for us a king to judge us like all the nations. ”

1 Samuel 8:4-5 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. 8:4 [See ch. 7:17 above]
• 2. 8:5 ver. 19, 20; [Deut. 17:14; Hos. 13:10; Acts 13:21]