1 Samuel 8:4-9

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

5 and said to him, "You are old and your sons do not follow in your ways; appoint for us, then, a king to govern us, like other nations."

6 But the thing displeased Samuel when they said, "Give us a king to govern us." Samuel prayed to the Lord,

7 and the Lord said to Samuel, "Listen to the voice of the people in all that they say to you; for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected me from being king over them.

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

9 Now then, listen to their voice; only—you shall solemnly warn them, and show them the ways of the king who shall reign over them."

1 Samuel 8:4-9 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.

Footnotes

• [a] Gk: Heb lacks [to me]