1 Samuel 8:22

22 The LORD said to Samuel, "¹Listen to their voice and appoint them a king." So Samuel said to the men of Israel, "Go every man to his city."

1 Samuel 8:22 Meaning and Commentary

1 Samuel 8:22

And the Lord said to Samuel
an audible voice, or by an impulse upon his mind:

hearken unto their voice, and make them a king;
since they will have a king, let them have one, and let them know that they shall have one:

and Samuel said unto the men of Israel:
the elders of the people that addressed him on this occasion, ( 1 Samuel 8:4 )

go ye every man unto his city;
signifying they might return in peace, and be assured their request would be granted, and a king would be appointed in a short time, and which they might report to their fellow citizens; and they might expect to hear from him quickly, as soon as he had instructions from the Lord who should be their king, which right he had reserved to himself; and therefore in the mean while they might rest contented that they would have one in a little time.

1 Samuel 8:22 In-Context

20 that we also may be like all the nations, that our king may judge us and go out before us and fight our battles."

21 Now after Samuel had heard all the words of the people, he repeated them in the LORD'S hearing.

22 The LORD said to Samuel, "Listen to their voice and appoint them a king." So Samuel said to the men of Israel, "Go every man to his city."

Cross References

• 1. 1 Samuel 8:7

Footnotes

• [a] Lit "cause a king to reign for them"