Bible Commentaries

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Samuel 8

Introduction

1  By occasion of the ill government of Samuel's sons, the Israelites ask a king.
6  Samuel praying in grief, is comforted by God.
10  He tells the manner of a king.
19  God wills Samuel to yield unto the importunity of the people.
Verse 1

And it came to pass, when Samuel was old, that he made his sons judges over Israel.
A. M. 2892. B.C. 1112. An. Ex. Is. 379. made his
Deuteronomy 16:18,19, Judges 8:22,23, 2 Chronicles 19:5,6, Nehemiah 7:2, 1 Timothy 5:21
sons judges
Judges 5:10, 10:4, 12:14
Verse 2

Now the name of his firstborn was Joel; and the name of his second, Abiah: they were judges in Beersheba.
Joel
1 Chronicles 6:28,38
Vashni
Verse 3

And his sons walked not in his ways, but turned aside after lucre, and took bribes, and perverted judgment.
his sons
2 Samuel 15:4, 1 Kings 12:6-11, 2 Kings 21:1-3, Ecclesiastes 2:19, Jeremiah 22:15-17
but turned
Exodus 18:21, Deuteronomy 16:19, Psalms 15:5, 26:10, Isaiah 33:15, 1 Timothy 3:3, 6:10
Verse 4

Then all the elders of Israel gathered themselves together, and came to Samuel unto Ramah,
the elders
Exodus 3:16, 24:1, 2 Samuel 5:3
Verse 5

And 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.
now make
6-8,19,20, 12:17, Numbers 23:9, Deuteronomy 17:14,15, Hosea 13:10,11, Acts 13:21
Verse 6

But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to judge us. And Samuel prayed unto the LORD.
displeased
Heb. was evil in the eyes of.
12:17
prayed
15:11, Exodus 32:21,32, Numbers 16:15,22,46, Ezra 9:3-5, Psalms 109:4, Luke 6:11,12, Philippians 4:6, James 1:5
Verse 7

And 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.
Hearken
Numbers 22:20, Psalms 81:11,12, Isaiah 66:4, Hosea 13:10,11
they have not
10:19, 12:17-19, Exodus 16:8, Matthew 10:24,25,40, Luke 10:16, 19:14,27, John 13:16, 15:20,21
Verse 8

According 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.
Exodus 14:11,12, 16:3, 17:2, 32:1, Numbers 14:2-4, 16:2,3,41, Deuteronomy 9:24, Judges 2:2,3,20, 4:1, 6:1, 13:1, Psalms 78:56-59, 106:14-21,34-40, Acts 7:51-53
Verse 9

Now therefore hearken unto their voice: howbeit yet protest solemnly unto them, and shew them the manner of the king that shall reign over them.
hearken unto
or, obey. howbeit, etc. or, notwithstanding when thou hast solemnly protested against them, then thou shalt shew, etc.
Ezekiel 3:18
the manner
11-18, 2:13, 10:25, 14:52, Ezekiel 45:7,8, 46:18
Verse 11

And 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.
This will
10:25, Deuteronomy 17:14-20
He will take
14:52, 1 Kings 9:22,23, 10:26, 12:4,10, 2 Chronicles 26:10-15
run
2 Samuel 15:1, 1 Kings 1:5, 18:46
Verse 12

And 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.
appoint
1 Chronicles 27:1-22
and will set
1 Kings 4:7,22,23,27,28, 2 Chronicles 32:28,29
Verse 14

And he will take your fields, and your vineyards, and your oliveyards, even the best of them, and give them to his servants.
22:7, 1 Kings 21:7,19, Ezekiel 46:18
Verse 15

And he will take the tenth of your seed, and of your vineyards, and give to his officers, and to his servants.
officers
Heb. eunuchs.
Genesis 37:36, Isaiah 39:7, Daniel 1:3,7-10,18
Verse 18

And 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.
cry out
Isaiah 8:21
and the Lord
"Hitherto," says Puffendorf, "the people of Israel had lived under governors raised up by God, who had exacted no tribute of them, nor put them to any charge; but little content with this form of government, they desire to have a king like other nations, who should live in magnificence and pomp, keep armies, and be able to resist any invasion. Samuel informs them what it was they desired; that, when they understood it, they might consider whether they would persist in their choice. If they would have a king splendidly attended, he tells them that he would take their sons for his chariots, etc.: if they would have him keep up constant forces, then he would appoint them for colonels and captains, and employ those in his wars who were accustomed to follow their family business; and since, after the manner of other kings, he must keep a stately court, they must be content that their daughters should serve in several offices, which the king would think below the dignity of his wives and daughters. (ver. 13.) In one word, that, to sustain his dignity, their king would exact the tenth of all they possessed, and be maintained in a royal manner out of their estates."
will not hear
Job 27:9, Psalms 18:41, Proverbs 1:25-28, 21:13, Isaiah 1:15, Micah 3:4, Luke 13:25
Verse 19

Nevertheless the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel; and they said, Nay; but we will have a king over us;
refused to obey
Psalms 81:11, Jeremiah 7:13, 44:16, Ezekiel 33:31
Verse 20

That we also may be like all the nations; and that our king may judge us, and go out before us, and fight our battles.
5, Exodus 33:16, Leviticus 20:24-26, Numbers 23:9, Deuteronomy 7:6, Psalms 106:35, John 15:19, Romans 12:12, 2 Corinthians 6:17, Philippians 3:20, 1 Peter 2:9
Verse 21

And Samuel heard all the words of the people, and he rehearsed them in the ears of the LORD.
he rehearsed
Judges 11:11
Verse 22

And 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.
7, Hosea 13:11

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