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1 Samuel

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1 Samuel 8

1And it came to pass, when Samuel was old, that he made his sons judges over Israel.

2Now the name of his first-born was Joel; and the name of his second, Abijah: they were judges in Beer-sheba.

3And his sons walked not in his ways, but turned aside after lucre, and took bribes, and perverted justice.

1And it came to pass, when Samuel was old, that he made his sons judges over Israel.

2Now the name of his firstborn was Joel; and the name of his second, Abiah: they were judges in Beer–sheba.

3And his sons walked not in his ways, but turned aside after lucre, and took bribes, and perverted judgment.

Commentary · verses 1-3

Samuel set up his sons, Joel and Abijah, as Judges over Israel. However, they did not live as Samuel did. Remember, Eli had a similar problem with his two sons.

4Then all the elders of Israel gathered themselves together, and came to Samuel unto Ramah; 5and they said unto him, Behold, thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways: now make us a king to judge us like all the nations.

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

5And said unto him, Behold, thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways: now make us a king to judge us like all the nations.

Commentary · verses 4-5

The Israelites asked for a king to judge them "like all the nations." The issue was that Samuel's sons were not walking in Samuel's ways. Rather than focus on the issue and go to God for a solution, the people came up with their own solution. The people wanted a king so they could be like the other nations. Being led by a king instead of by God through Judges was a man-made doctrine. In fact, God had already warned Israel what life would be like if they did have a king (Deuteronomy 17).

6But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to judge us. And Samuel prayed unto Jehovah.

6But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to judge us. And Samuel prayed unto the LORD.

Commentary · verse 6

This request displeased Samuel so he prayed to God.

7And Jehovah said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee; for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not be king over them.

7And the LORD said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them.

Commentary · verse 7

God referred to Himself as the "king" of Israel. This request for a man to be king was a rejection of God to be their "king" and a rejection of God to work through the Judges.

8According to all the works which they have done since the day that I brought them up out of Egypt even unto this day, in that they have forsaken me, and served other gods, so do they also unto thee.

8According to all the works which they have done since the day that I brought them up out of Egypt even unto this day, wherewith they have forsaken me, and served other gods, so do they also unto thee.

Commentary · verse 8

God wanted to continue to lead the people through a Judge. God also said that the people treated Samuel the same way the people treated Him.

The rest of this chapter can be seen as an insider's view into prayer. God allowed Samuel to act towards the people the same way God acts towards us in prayer...

9Now therefore hearken unto their voice: howbeit thou shalt protest solemnly unto them, and shalt show them the manner of the king that shall reign over them.

9Now therefore hearken unto their voice: howbeit yet protest solemnly unto them, and shew them the manner of the king that shall reign over them.

Commentary · verse 9

Step One: God told Samuel to listen to them. God first listens to us during prayer.

Step Two: God told Samuel to protest and show them what they were asking for, to show them what the effects of their prayer would be. Prayer is two way communication with God. Prayer is not only us talking with God. Prayer also involves God speaking back to us. Do we stop to listen to God responding to our requests during our prayers? This is Just of God. It would be God's fault if He did not attempt to help us avoid the negative effects of what we prayed. God is always completely Just. However, if we do not listen to God, then it is our fault.

10And Samuel told all the words of Jehovah unto the people that asked of him a king.

11And he said, This will be the manner of the king that shall reign over you: he will take your sons, and appoint them unto him, for his chariots, and to be his horsemen; and they shall run before his chariots;

10And Samuel told all the words of the LORD unto the people that asked of him a king.

11And he said, This will be the manner of the king that shall reign over you: He will take your sons, and appoint them for himself, for his chariots, and to be his horsemen; and some shall run before his chariots.

Commentary · verses 10-11

Samuel began telling the people what the effects of having a king would be. Take a close look at what God warned the people about kings. It was not God's Will for the people to be led by a king.

12and he will appoint them unto him for captains of thousands, and captains of fifties; and he will set some to plow his ground, and to reap his harvest, and to make his instruments of war, and the instruments of his chariots.

13And he will take your daughters to be perfumers, and to be cooks, and to be bakers.

12And he will appoint him captains over thousands, and captains over fifties; and will set them to ear his ground, and to reap his harvest, and to make his instruments of war, and instruments of his chariots.

13And he will take your daughters to be confectionaries, and to be cooks, and to be bakers.

Commentary · verses 12-13

Women were perfumers, cooks, and bakers: creators.

14And he will take your fields, and your vineyards, and your oliveyards, even the best of them, and give them to his servants.

15And he will take the tenth of your seed, and of your vineyards, and give to his officers, and to his servants.

16And he will take your men-servants, and your maid-servants, and your goodliest young men, and your asses, and put them to his work.

17He will take the tenth of your flocks: and ye shall be his servants.

18And ye shall cry out in that day because of your king whom ye shall have chosen you; and Jehovah will not answer you in that day.

14And he will take your fields, and your vineyards, and your oliveyards, even the best of them, and give them to his servants.

15And he will take the tenth of your seed, and of your vineyards, and give to his officers, and to his servants.

16And he will take your menservants, and your maidservants, and your goodliest young men, and your asses, and put them to his work.

17He will take the tenth of your sheep: and ye shall be his servants.

18And ye shall cry out in that day because of your king which ye shall have chosen you; and the LORD will not hear you in that day.

Commentary · verses 14-18

Did you notice how often the word "take" was used to describe how the king would relate to his people? Would the king ever "give" to the people?

Overall, the king would be about his own best interest and not about the people's best interest. He would be a boss, not a leader. The king would facilitate his own purpose and progress at the expense of the people. God had facilitated the purpose and progress of the people.

19But the people refused to hearken unto the voice of Samuel; and they said, Nay: but we will have a king over us, 20that we also may be like all the nations, and that our king may judge us, and go out before us, and fight our battles.

19Nevertheless the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel; and they said, Nay; but we will have a king over us;

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

Commentary · verses 19-20

The people refused to listen to Samuel's warning. They still wanted a king so they could be like all the nations. The people made a request. Samuel protested. The people made their final request.

21And Samuel heard all the words of the people, and he rehearsed them in the ears of Jehovah.

22And Jehovah said to Samuel, Hearken unto their voice, and make them a king. And Samuel said unto the men of Israel, Go ye every man unto his city.

21And Samuel heard all the words of the people, and he rehearsed them in the ears of the LORD.

22And the LORD said to Samuel, Hearken unto their voice, and make them a king. And Samuel said unto the men of Israel, Go ye every man unto his city.

Commentary · verses 21-22

Samuel told God what the people said. God told Samuel to give them a king.

Commentary · verse 22

Step Three: Grant the request. Remember, Jesus prayed for the cup to pass from Him, nevertheless Thy Will be done (Matthew 26:39). It looked like Jesus made a request, God protested, and Jesus agreed with God's Will. Jesus asked His Disciples why they could not pray for an hour (Matthew 26:40). Was the reason Jesus prayed for at least an hour because He was also taking time to listen to God? If we do not listen for God, then our initial request is our final request. In this case, the people stayed with their original request for a king and God did their will instead of His Will.

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