1 Samuel 8:1-9

Israel Demands a King

1 And it came about when Samuel was old that ¹he appointed his sons judges over Israel.

2 Now the name of his firstborn was Joel, and the name of his second, Abijah; they were judging in ²Beersheba.

3 His sons, however, did not walk in his ways, but turned aside after dishonest gain and ³took bribes and perverted justice.

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

5 and they said to him, "Behold, you have grown old, and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now ⁵appoint a king for us to judge us like all the nations."

6 But the thing was ⁶displeasing in the sight of Samuel when they said, "Give us a king to judge us." And ⁷Samuel prayed to the LORD.

7 The LORD said to Samuel, "Listen to the voice of the people in regard to all that they say to you, for ⁸they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me from being king over them.

8 "Like all the deeds which they have done since the day that I brought them up from Egypt even to this day -in that they have forsaken Me and served other gods -so they are doing to you also.

9 "Now then, listen to their voice; ⁹however, you shall solemnly warn them and tell them of ¹⁰the procedure of the king who will 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. Deuteronomy 16:18, 19
• 2. Genesis 22:19; 1 Kings 19:3; Amos 5:5
• 3. Exodus 23:6, 8; Deuteronomy 16:19
• 4. 1 Samuel 7:17
• 5. Deuteronomy 17:14, 15
• 6. 1 Samuel 12:17
• 7. 1 Samuel 15:11
• 8. Exodus 16:8; 1 Samuel 10:19
• 9. Ezekiel 3:18
• 10. 1 Samuel 8:11-18; 1 Samuel 10:25

Footnotes

• [a]. Or "evil"
• [b]. Lit "testify to"
• [c]. Lit "custom"