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1 Samuel 8

BSB·22 verses ·Old Testament
✦ Tap any verse to open Scripture Explorer — original Hebrew/Greek, commentary, notes & highlights
1Whenכַּאֲשֶׁ֥רka·’ă·šer — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → Samuelשְׁמוּאֵ֑לšə·mū·’êl — God has heardH8050 — Full Word Study → grew oldזָקֵ֖ןzā·qên — to become old, age, grow oldH2204 — Full Word Study →, he appointedוַיָּ֧שֶׂםway·yā·śem — to put, place, set, appointH7760 — Full Word Study → his sonsבָּנָ֛יוbā·nāw — Son; descendant; member of a groupH1121 — Full Word Study → as judgesשֹׁפְטִ֖יםšō·p̄ə·ṭîm — to judge, govern, or execute justiceH8199 — Full Word Study → over Israelלְיִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃lə·yiś·rā·’êl — God prevailsH3478 — Full Word Study →. 2The nameשֶׁם־šem- — Name; reputation; renownH8034 — Full Word Study → of his firstbornהַבְּכוֹר֙hab·bə·ḵō·wr — firstborn son; first offspring; heirH1060 — Full Word Study → sonבְּנ֤וֹbə·nōw — Son; descendant; member of a groupH1121 — Full Word Study → wasוַיְהִ֞יway·hî — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → Joelיוֹאֵ֔לyō·w·’êl — Yahweh is GodH3100 — Full Word Study →, and the nameוְשֵׁ֥םwə·šêm — Name; reputation; renownH8034 — Full Word Study → of his secondמִשְׁנֵ֖הוּmiš·nê·hū — Second; duplicate; double portionH4932 — Full Word Study → was Abijahאֲבִיָּ֑ה’ă·ḇî·yāh — Abijah; My Father is YahwehH29 — Full Word Study →. They were judgesשֹׁפְטִ֖יםšō·p̄ə·ṭîm — to judge, govern, or execute justiceH8199 — Full Word Study → in Beershebaשָֽׁבַע׃šā·ḇa‘ — Well of the OathH884 — Full Word Study →. 3But his sonsבָנָיו֙ḇā·nāw — Son; descendant; member of a groupH1121 — Full Word Study → did notוְלֹֽא־wə·lō- — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → walkהָלְכ֤וּhā·lə·ḵū — to go, walk, travel, proceedH1980 — Full Word Study → in his waysבְּדַרְכּוֹbə·ḏar·kō — way, path, journey, conductH1870 — Full Word Study →; they turned asideוַיִּטּ֖וּway·yiṭ·ṭū — to stretch out, extend, incline, bendH5186 — Full Word Study → towardאַחֲרֵ֣י’a·ḥă·rê — after, behind, followingH310 — Full Word Study → dishonest gainהַבָּ֑צַעhab·bā·ṣa‘ — unjust gain; dishonest profitH1215 — Full Word Study →, acceptingוַיִּ֨קְחוּ־way·yiq·ḥū- — to take, seize, or receiveH3947 — Full Word Study → bribesשֹׁ֔חַדšō·ḥaḏ — A bribe; a gift given to corrupt or influenceH7810 — Full Word Study → and pervertingוַיַּטּ֖וּway·yaṭ·ṭū — to stretch out, extend, incline, bendH5186 — Full Word Study → justiceמִשְׁפָּֽט׃פmiš·pāṭ — Justice, judgment, or legal decisionH4941 — Full Word Study →. 4So allכֹּ֖לkōl — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → the eldersזִקְנֵ֣יziq·nê — An old person; an elder with authority and wisdomH2205 — Full Word Study → of Israelיִשְׂרָאֵ֑לyiś·rā·’êl — God prevailsH3478 — Full Word Study → gathered togetherוַיִּֽתְקַבְּצ֔וּway·yiṯ·qab·bə·ṣū — to gather, assemble, or collect togetherH6908 — Full Word Study → and cameוַיָּבֹ֥אוּway·yā·ḇō·’ū — to come, go, enter, arriveH935 — Full Word Study → toאֶל־’el- — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study → Samuelשְׁמוּאֵ֖לšə·mū·’êl — God has heardH8050 — Full Word Study → at Ramahהָרָמָֽתָה׃hā·rā·mā·ṯāh — High place, elevatedH7414 — Full Word Study →. 5Lookהִנֵּה֙hin·nêh — Look! Behold! Pay attention!H2009 — Full Word Study →,” they saidוַיֹּאמְר֣וּway·yō·mə·rū — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study →, “youאַתָּ֣ה’at·tāh — You; second-person pronoun (singular or plural)H859 — Full Word Study → are oldזָקַ֔נְתָּzā·qan·tā — to become old, age, grow oldH2204 — Full Word Study →, and your sonsוּבָנֶ֕יךָū·ḇā·ne·ḵā — Son; descendant; member of a groupH1121 — Full Word Study → do notלֹ֥אlō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → walkהָלְכ֖וּhā·lə·ḵū — to go, walk, travel, proceedH1980 — Full Word Study → in your waysבִּדְרָכֶ֑יךָbiḏ·rā·ḵe·ḵā — way, path, journey, conductH1870 — Full Word Study →. Nowעַתָּ֗ה‘at·tāh — Now; at the present timeH6258 — Full Word Study → appointשִֽׂימָה־śî·māh- — to put, place, set, appointH7760 — Full Word Study → a kingמֶ֛לֶךְme·leḵ — A male ruler or sovereign who governs a nation or kingdomH4428 — Full Word Study → to judge usלְשָׁפְטֵ֖נוּlə·šā·p̄ə·ṭê·nū — to judge, govern, or execute justiceH8199 — Full Word Study → like allכְּכָל־kə·ḵāl- — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → the other nationsהַגּוֹיִֽם׃hag·gō·w·yim — Nation; a people or ethnic groupH1471 — Full Word Study →.” 6But whenכַּאֲשֶׁ֣רka·’ă·šer — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → they saidאָמְר֔וּ’ā·mə·rū — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study →, “Giveתְּנָה־tə·nāh- — to give, grant, or bestowH5414 — Full Word Study → us a kingמֶ֖לֶךְme·leḵ — A male ruler or sovereign who governs a nation or kingdomH4428 — Full Word Study → to judge usלְשָׁפְטֵ֑נוּlə·šā·p̄ə·ṭê·nū — to judge, govern, or execute justiceH8199 — Full Word Study →,” their demandהַדָּבָר֙had·dā·ḇār — word, matter, thing, affairH1697 — Full Word Study → was displeasingוַיֵּ֤רַעway·yê·ra‘ — to break, spoil, or do evilH7489 — Full Word Study → in the sightבְּעֵינֵ֣יbə·‘ê·nê — Eye; sight; appearance; fountainH5869 — Full Word Study → of Samuelשְׁמוּאֵ֔לšə·mū·’êl — God has heardH8050 — Full Word Study →; so heשְׁמוּאֵ֖לšə·mū·’êl — God has heardH8050 — Full Word Study → prayedוַיִּתְפַּלֵּ֥לway·yiṯ·pal·lêl — to pray, intercede, or judgeH6419 — Full Word Study → toאֶל־’el- — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study → the LORDיְהוָֽה׃פYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →. 7And the LORDיְהוָה֙Yah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → saidוַיֹּ֤אמֶרway·yō·mer — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study → toאֶל־’el- — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study → Samuelשְׁמוּאֵ֔לšə·mū·’êl — God has heardH8050 — Full Word Study →, “Listenשְׁמַע֙šə·ma‘ — to hear, listen, obeyH8085 — Full Word Study → to the voiceבְּק֣וֹלbə·qō·wl — voice, sound, or cryH6963 — Full Word Study → of the peopleהָעָ֔םhā·‘ām — a people; nation; communityH5971 — Full Word Study → in allלְכֹ֥לlə·ḵōl — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → thatאֲשֶׁר־’ă·šer- — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → they sayיֹאמְר֖וּyō·mə·rū — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study → to youאֵלֶ֑יךָ’ê·le·ḵā — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study →. Forכִּ֣יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → it is notלֹ֤אlō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → youאֹֽתְךָ֙’ō·ṯə·ḵā — direct object marker; signs accusative caseH853 — Full Word Study → they have rejectedמָאָ֔סוּmā·’ā·sū — to reject, despise, or spurn with contemptH3988 — Full Word Study →, butכִּֽי־kî- — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → they have rejectedמָאֲס֖וּmā·’ă·sū — to reject, despise, or spurn with contemptH3988 — Full Word Study → Meאֹתִ֥י’ō·ṯî — direct object marker; signs accusative caseH853 — Full Word Study → as their kingמִמְּלֹ֥ךְmim·mə·lōḵ — to reign; to rule as kingH4427 — Full Word Study →. 8Just asכְּכָֽל־kə·ḵāl- — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → they have doneעָשׂ֗וּ‘ā·śū — to do, make, or accomplish; to act or performH6213 — Full Word Study → from the dayמִיּוֹם֩mî·yō·wm — day; time; period; ageH3117 — Full Word Study → I brought them upהַעֲלֹתִ֨יha·‘ă·lō·ṯî — to ascend, rise up, go upH5927 — Full Word Study → out of Egyptמִמִּצְרַ֙יִם֙mim·miṣ·ra·yim — Egypt, the ancient nationH4714 — Full Word Study → untilוְעַד־wə·‘aḏ- — until, till, up to (temporal or spatial limit)H5704 — Full Word Study → thisהַזֶּ֔הhaz·zeh — this, that; the one, the otherH2088 — Full Word Study → dayהַיּ֣וֹםhay·yō·wm — day; time; period; ageH3117 — Full Word Study →, forsaking Meוַיַּ֣עַזְבֻ֔נִיway·ya·‘az·ḇu·nî — to abandon, forsake, or leave behindH5800 — Full Word Study → and servingוַיַּעַבְד֖וּway·ya·‘aḇ·ḏū — to serve, labor, workH5647 — Full Word Study → otherאֲחֵרִ֑ים’ă·ḥê·rîm — another, different, or following person or thingH312 — Full Word Study → godsאֱלֹהִ֣ים’ĕ·lō·hîm — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study →, soכֵּ֛ןkên — so, thus, rightly, thereforeH3651 — Full Word Study → theyהֵ֥מָּהhêm·māh — They, them (masculine plural pronoun)H1992 — Full Word Study → are doingעֹשִׂ֖ים‘ō·śîm — to do, make, or accomplish; to act or performH6213 — Full Word Study → to you. 9Nowוְעַתָּ֖הwə·‘at·tāh — Now; at the present timeH6258 — Full Word Study → listen toשְׁמַ֣עšə·ma‘ — to hear, listen, obeyH8085 — Full Word Study → them, butאַ֗ךְ’aḵ — Surely, certainly, only, neverthelessH389 — Full Word Study → you must solemnly warnהָעֵ֤דhā·‘êḏ — to testify, witness, or solemnly affirmH5749 — Full Word Study → them and showוְהִגַּדְתָּ֣wə·hig·gaḏ·tā — to tell, declare, make knownH5046 — Full Word Study → them the mannerמִשְׁפַּ֣טmiš·paṭ — Justice, judgment, or legal decisionH4941 — Full Word Study → of the kingהַמֶּ֔לֶךְham·me·leḵ — A male ruler or sovereign who governs a nation or kingdomH4428 — Full Word Study → whoאֲשֶׁ֥ר’ă·šer — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → will reignיִמְלֹ֖ךְyim·lōḵ — to reign; to rule as kingH4427 — Full Word Study → over themעֲלֵיהֶֽם׃ס‘ă·lê·hem — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study →.” 10So Samuelשְׁמוּאֵ֔לšə·mū·’êl — God has heardH8050 — Full Word Study → spokeוַיֹּ֣אמֶרway·yō·mer — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study → allכָּל־kāl- — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → the wordsדִּבְרֵ֣יdiḇ·rê — word, matter, thing, affairH1697 — Full Word Study → of the LORDיְהוָ֑הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → toאֶל־’el- — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study → the peopleהָעָ֕םhā·‘ām — a people; nation; communityH5971 — Full Word Study → who were asking him forהַשֹּׁאֲלִ֥יםhaš·šō·’ă·lîm — to ask, request, inquire, or demandH7592 — Full Word Study → a kingמֶֽלֶךְ׃סme·leḵ — A male ruler or sovereign who governs a nation or kingdomH4428 — Full Word Study →. 11He saidוַיֹּ֕אמֶרway·yō·mer — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study →, “Thisזֶ֗הzeh — this, that; the one, the otherH2088 — Full Word Study → will beיִֽהְיֶה֙yih·yeh — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → the mannerמִשְׁפַּ֣טmiš·paṭ — Justice, judgment, or legal decisionH4941 — Full Word Study → of the kingהַמֶּ֔לֶךְham·me·leḵ — A male ruler or sovereign who governs a nation or kingdomH4428 — Full Word Study → whoאֲשֶׁ֥ר’ă·šer — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → will reignיִמְלֹ֖ךְyim·lōḵ — to reign; to rule as kingH4427 — Full Word Study → over youעֲלֵיכֶ֑ם‘ă·lê·ḵem — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study →: He will takeיִקָּ֗חyiq·qāḥ — to take, seize, or receiveH3947 — Full Word Study → your sonsבְּנֵיכֶ֣םbə·nê·ḵem — Son; descendant; member of a groupH1121 — Full Word Study → and appoint them to his own chariotsבְּמֶרְכַּבְתּ֣וֹbə·mer·kaḇ·tōw — A wheeled vehicle or chariot drawn by horsesH4818 — Full Word Study → and horsesוּבְפָרָשָׁ֔יוū·ḇə·p̄ā·rā·šāw — Horseman; cavalry soldier or mounted warriorH6571 — Full Word Study →, to run in front ofלִפְנֵ֥יlip̄·nê — face; presence; beforeH6440 — Full Word Study → his chariotsמֶרְכַּבְתּֽוֹ׃mer·kaḇ·tōw — A wheeled vehicle or chariot drawn by horsesH4818 — Full Word Study →. 12He will appointוְלָשׂ֣וּםwə·lā·śūm — to put, place, set, appointH7760 — Full Word Study → some for himself as commandersשָׂרֵ֥יśā·rê — Ruler, leader, or one in authorityH8269 — Full Word Study → of thousandsאֲלָפִ֖ים’ă·lā·p̄îm — A thousand; a large military unit or census numberH505 — Full Word Study → and ofוְשָׂרֵ֣יwə·śā·rê — Ruler, leader, or one in authorityH8269 — Full Word Study → fiftiesחֲמִשִּׁ֑יםḥă·miš·šîm — Fifty; the number representing a jubilee period or festival countH2572 — Full Word Study →, and others to plowוְלַחֲרֹ֤שׁwə·la·ḥă·rōš — to engrave, plow, devise, or keep silentH2790 — Full Word Study → his groundחֲרִישׁוֹ֙ḥă·rî·šōw — plowing, plowed ground, field workH2758 — Full Word Study →, to reapוְלִקְצֹ֣רwə·liq·ṣōr — to cut short, harvest, or reapH7114 — Full Word Study → his harvestקְצִיר֔וֹqə·ṣî·rōw — Harvest; the reaping of crops or figuratively, a limb or branchH7105 — Full Word Study →, to make his weaponsכְּלֵֽי־kə·lê- — vessel, instrument, or article of useH3627 — Full Word Study → of warמִלְחַמְתּ֖וֹmil·ḥam·tōw — Battle, warfare, combat, military conflictH4421 — Full Word Study →, and to equip his chariots. 13Andוְאֶת־wə·’eṯ- — direct object marker; signs accusative caseH853 — Full Word Study → he will takeיִקָּ֑חyiq·qāḥ — to take, seize, or receiveH3947 — Full Word Study → your daughtersבְּנוֹתֵיכֶ֖םbə·nō·w·ṯê·ḵem — daughter; female child or descendantH1323 — Full Word Study → to be perfumers, cooksוּלְטַבָּח֖וֹתū·lə·ṭab·bā·ḥō·wṯ — A female cook; a woman who prepares foodH2879 — Full Word Study →, and bakersוּלְאֹפֽוֹת׃ū·lə·’ō·p̄ō·wṯ — to bake bread or foodH644 — Full Word Study →. 14He will takeיִקָּ֑חyiq·qāḥ — to take, seize, or receiveH3947 — Full Word Study → the bestהַטּוֹבִ֖יםhaṭ·ṭō·w·ḇîm — good, beneficial, pleasing, wellH2896 — Full Word Study → of your fieldsשְׂ֠דֽוֹתֵיכֶםśə·d̲ô·t̲ê·k̲em — A field; cultivated or open landH7704 — Full Word Study → andוְאֶת־wə·’eṯ- — direct object marker; signs accusative caseH853 — Full Word Study → vineyardsכַּרְמֵיכֶ֧םkar·mê·ḵem — Vineyard; a planted garden of grapevinesH3754 — Full Word Study → and olive grovesוְזֵיתֵיכֶ֛םwə·zê·ṯê·ḵem — olive tree; Mount of OlivesH2132 — Full Word Study → and give themוְנָתַ֖ןwə·nā·ṯan — to give, grant, or bestowH5414 — Full Word Study → to his servantsלַעֲבָדָֽיו׃la·‘ă·ḇā·ḏāw — Servant; slave; one in bondage or serviceH5650 — Full Word Study →. 15He will take a tenthיַעְשֹׂ֑רya‘·śōr — to tithe; to set apart a tenthH6237 — Full Word Study → of your grainוְזַרְעֵיכֶ֥םwə·zar·‘ê·ḵem — Seed; offspring; descendant; progenyH2233 — Full Word Study → and grape harvestוְכַרְמֵיכֶ֖םwə·ḵar·mê·ḵem — Vineyard; a planted garden of grapevinesH3754 — Full Word Study → and give itוְנָתַ֥ןwə·nā·ṯan — to give, grant, or bestowH5414 — Full Word Study → to his officialsלְסָרִיסָ֖יוlə·sā·rî·sāw — eunuch; court official or chamberlainH5631 — Full Word Study → and servantsוְלַעֲבָדָֽיו׃wə·la·‘ă·ḇā·ḏāw — Servant; slave; one in bondage or serviceH5650 — Full Word Study →. 16Andוְאֶת־wə·’eṯ- — direct object marker; signs accusative caseH853 — Full Word Study → he will takeיִקָּ֑חyiq·qāḥ — to take, seize, or receiveH3947 — Full Word Study → your menservantsעַבְדֵיכֶם֩‘aḇ·ḏê·ḵem — Servant; slave; one in bondage or serviceH5650 — Full Word Study → andוְֽאֶת־wə·’eṯ- — direct object marker; signs accusative caseH853 — Full Word Study → maidservantsשִׁפְח֨וֹתֵיכֶ֜םšip̄·ḥō·w·ṯê·ḵem — Female servant or maidservant of lower statusH8198 — Full Word Study → andוְאֶת־wə·’eṯ- — direct object marker; signs accusative caseH853 — Full Word Study → your bestהַטּוֹבִ֛יםhaṭ·ṭō·w·ḇîm — good, beneficial, pleasing, wellH2896 — Full Word Study → cattleבַּחוּרֵיכֶ֧םba·ḥū·rê·ḵem — Young man, youth, chosen oneH970 — Full Word Study → and donkeysחֲמוֹרֵיכֶ֖םḥă·mō·w·rê·ḵem — donkey; beast of burdenH2543 — Full Word Study → and put them to his own useלִמְלַאכְתּֽוֹ׃lim·laḵ·tōw — Work, labor, occupation; manufactured goods or craftH4399 — Full Word Study →. 17He will take a tenthיַעְשֹׂ֑רya‘·śōr — to tithe; to set apart a tenthH6237 — Full Word Study → of your flocksצֹאנְכֶ֖םṣō·nə·ḵem — flock of sheep or goatsH6629 — Full Word Study →, and you yourselvesוְאַתֶּ֖םwə·’at·tem — You; second-person pronoun (singular or plural)H859 — Full Word Study → will becomeתִּֽהְיוּ־tih·yū- — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → his slavesלַעֲבָדִֽים׃la·‘ă·ḇā·ḏîm — Servant; slave; one in bondage or serviceH5650 — Full Word Study →. 18When thatהַה֔וּאha·hū — He, she, it; the third person pronounH1931 — Full Word Study → day comesבַּיּ֣וֹםbay·yō·wm — day; time; period; ageH3117 — Full Word Study →, you will begוּזְעַקְתֶּם֙ū·zə·‘aq·tem — To cry out, call for help, summonH2199 — Full Word Study → for relief fromמִלִּפְנֵ֣יmil·lip̄·nê — face; presence; beforeH6440 — Full Word Study → the kingמַלְכְּכֶ֔םmal·kə·ḵem — A male ruler or sovereign who governs a nation or kingdomH4428 — Full Word Study → you have chosenבְּחַרְתֶּ֖םbə·ḥar·tem — To choose, select, or preferH977 — Full Word Study →, but the LORDיְהוָ֛הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → will notוְלֹֽא־wə·lō- — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → answer youיַעֲנֶ֧הya·‘ă·neh — To answer, respond, or testifyH6030 — Full Word Study → on thatהַהֽוּא׃ha·hū — He, she, it; the third person pronounH1931 — Full Word Study → dayבַּיּ֥וֹםbay·yō·wm — day; time; period; ageH3117 — Full Word Study →.” 19Nevertheless, the people refusedוַיְמָאֲנ֣וּway·mā·’ă·nū — To refuse, reject, or withhold consentH3985 — Full Word Study → to listenלִשְׁמֹ֖עַliš·mō·a‘ — to hear, listen, obeyH8085 — Full Word Study → to Samuelשְׁמוּאֵ֑לšə·mū·’êl — God has heardH8050 — Full Word Study →. “Noלֹּ֔אlō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study →!” they saidוַיֹּאמְר֣וּway·yō·mə·rū — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study →. “We must haveיִֽהְיֶ֥הyih·yeh — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → a kingמֶ֖לֶךְme·leḵ — A male ruler or sovereign who governs a nation or kingdomH4428 — Full Word Study → over usעָלֵֽינוּ׃‘ā·lê·nū — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study →. 20Then we willאֲנַ֖חְנוּ’ă·naḥ·nū — We, us, ourselves (first person plural pronoun)H587 — Full Word Study → beוְהָיִ֥ינוּwə·hā·yî·nū — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → like allכְּכָל־kə·ḵāl- — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → the other nationsהַגּוֹיִ֑םhag·gō·w·yim — Nation; a people or ethnic groupH1471 — Full Word Study →, with a kingמַלְכֵּ֙נוּ֙mal·kê·nū — A male ruler or sovereign who governs a nation or kingdomH4428 — Full Word Study → to judge usוּשְׁפָטָ֤נוּū·šə·p̄ā·ṭā·nū — to judge, govern, or execute justiceH8199 — Full Word Study →, to go outוְיָצָ֣אwə·yā·ṣā — To go out, come forth, exitH3318 — Full Word Study → before usלְפָנֵ֔ינוּlə·p̄ā·nê·nū — face; presence; beforeH6440 — Full Word Study →, and to fightוְנִלְחַ֖םwə·nil·ḥam — to fight; to consume; to battleH3898 — Full Word Study → our battlesמִלְחֲמֹתֵֽנוּ׃mil·ḥă·mō·ṯê·nū — Battle, warfare, combat, military conflictH4421 — Full Word Study →.” 21Samuelשְׁמוּאֵ֔לšə·mū·’êl — God has heardH8050 — Full Word Study → listenedוַיִּשְׁמַ֣עway·yiš·ma‘ — to hear, listen, obeyH8085 — Full Word Study → to allכָּל־kāl- — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → the wordsדִּבְרֵ֣יdiḇ·rê — word, matter, thing, affairH1697 — Full Word Study → of the peopleהָעָ֑םhā·‘ām — a people; nation; communityH5971 — Full Word Study → and repeated themוַֽיְדַבְּרֵ֖םway·ḏab·bə·rêm — to speak, say, or declareH1696 — Full Word Study → in the hearingבְּאָזְנֵ֥יbə·’ā·zə·nê — Ear; the organ of hearing and listeningH241 — Full Word Study → of the LORDיְהוָֽה׃פYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →. 22Listenשְׁמַ֣עšə·ma‘ — to hear, listen, obeyH8085 — Full Word Study → to their voiceבְּקוֹלָ֔םbə·qō·w·lām — voice, sound, or cryH6963 — Full Word Study →,” the LORDיְהוָ֤הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → saidוַיֹּ֨אמֶרway·yō·mer — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study → toאֶל־’el- — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study → Samuelשְׁמוּאֵל֙šə·mū·’êl — God has heardH8050 — Full Word Study →. “Appointוְהִמְלַכְתָּ֥wə·him·laḵ·tā — to reign; to rule as kingH4427 — Full Word Study → a kingמֶ֑לֶךְme·leḵ — A male ruler or sovereign who governs a nation or kingdomH4428 — Full Word Study → for them.” Then Samuelשְׁמוּאֵל֙šə·mū·’êl — God has heardH8050 — Full Word Study → toldוַיֹּ֤אמֶרway·yō·mer — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study → the menאַנְשֵׁ֣י’an·šê — human being, man, mortal personH582 — Full Word Study → of Israelיִשְׂרָאֵ֔לyiś·rā·’êl — God prevailsH3478 — Full Word Study →, “Everyoneאִ֥ישׁ’îš — man, male person, husbandH376 — Full Word Study → must go backלְכ֖וּlə·ḵū — to go, walk, travel, proceedH1980 — Full Word Study → to his cityלְעִירֽוֹ׃פlə·‘î·rōw — City; fortified settlement or townH5892 — Full Word Study →.”
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Chapter Commentary — 1 Samuel 8
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Chapter Overview

First Samuel 8 marks a crucial turning point in Israel's history, as the people reject the theocratic order God had established and demand a human king "like all the nations." Though Samuel's own sons prove corrupt and unfit as judges (verses 1–3), their failure becomes the occasion for a deeper spiritual rejection: the people are, in essence, rejecting God's direct rule over them. The LORD grants their request but through Samuel pronounces a solemn warning about the heavy cost of human kingship. This chapter reveals how external circumstances (corrupt judges) can mask an internal spiritual problem (faithlessness toward God), and it sets the stage for the establishment of the monarchy in Israel.

Verses 1–5: The Crisis of Leadership

Samuel, now advanced in age, makes the mistake of appointing his own sons as judges over Israel. Yet unlike their father, Joel and Abiah "turned aside after lucre" (verse 3)—pursuing financial gain and accepting bribes rather than upholding justice. This corruption prompts the elders of Israel to approach Samuel with a specific request: "Make us a king to judge us like all the nations" (verse 5). On the surface, their complaint seems reasonable. They point to Samuel's age and his sons' unfitness, reasoning that a proper king would solve the problem. But the root issue runs deeper than mere administrative failure.

Verses 6–9: God's True Diagnosis

Samuel is deeply troubled by the people's demand and brings the matter to the LORD in prayer (verse 6). God's response is revelatory: "They have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me" (verse 7). The people's real problem is not their judges but their faith. God reminds Samuel of Israel's history—how they have "forsaken me, and served other gods" (verse 8) since the exodus. The request for a king is the latest expression of a longstanding pattern of unfaithfulness. Yet God does not simply refuse. Instead, He commands Samuel to grant their request and to warn them solemnly about what kingship will cost (verse 9). This is God's mercy wrapped in permission: He will let them learn through experience.

Verses 10–18: The Cost of Human Rule

Samuel faithfully delivers God's warning, detailing the "manner of the king" (verse 10). A human monarch will conscript their sons for military service (verses 11–12), press their daughters into royal service (verse 13), confiscate their best land and vineyards for his officers (verse 14), tax their crops and flocks (verses 15, 17), and commandeer their servants and animals for his work (verse 16). The cumulative picture is one of heavy taxation, forced labor, and loss of personal liberty. Most sobering is verse 18: when that day comes, they will "cry out" to the LORD, but He will not answer. This is not cruelty; it is the natural consequence of rejecting God's governance in favor of human rule.

Verses 19–22: Rejection and Permission

Despite Samuel's warning, "the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel" (verse 19). They want a king to be "like all the nations" (verse 20)—a desire born of worldliness and insecurity. They prefer visible, human leadership to trust in the invisible God. Samuel reports their defiant refusal to the LORD, and God simply says, "Hearken unto their voice, and make them a king" (verse 22). Samuel dismisses the people, and the chapter closes with their decision made and confirmed.

Application for Today

This chapter confronts us with a searching question: In what areas of our lives do we reject God's rule in favor of human solutions? Like ancient Israel, we may hide spiritual unfaithfulness behind practical grievances. The warning here is not against human government itself, but against the idolatry of trusting in earthly power and prominence instead of in God. True security and justice come only through submission to God's authority. May we learn to cry out to God before our own waywardness brings painful consequences.

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