*1 Samuel 8:6-22
Displeased by the Israelites’ rejection of God as their king, Samuel warns them of the burdens a human king will impose.
- The People’s Request:
- The elders of Israel approach Samuel, expressing their desire for a king to rule over them.
- They cite Samuel’s sons’ corruption as a reason for seeking a change in leadership.
- Samuel’s Response:
- Samuel is deeply troubled by their request and prays to the Lord for guidance.
- God instructs Samuel to warn the people about the implications of having a king.
- Warning of Kingship:
- Samuel conveys God’s warning to the people, outlining how a king would exploit them for his own gain.
- He predicts heavy taxation, conscription into the military, and forced labor under the king’s rule.
- Rejection of God’s Rule:
- Despite Samuel’s warnings, the people persist in their demand for a king.
- They insist that they want to be like other nations with a visible, earthly ruler to lead them into battle and judge them.
- God’s Approval:
- Despite the people’s rejection of His guidance, God instructs Samuel to heed their request and appoint a king.
- However, He warns Samuel to make them fully aware of the consequences and the nature of the king’s rule.
- Conclusion:
- Samuel conveys God’s decision to the people and warns them again of the consequences of their choice.
- The people remain resolute, and Samuel agrees to find them a king to reign over them, signaling a significant shift in Israel’s political landscape.
8:6 But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to judge us. And Samuel prayed unto the LORD.
8:7 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.
8:8 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.
8:9 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.
8:10 And Samuel told all the words of the LORD unto the people that asked of him a king.
8:11 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.
8:12 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.
8:13 And he will take your daughters to be confectionaries, and to be cooks, and to be bakers.
8:14 And he will take your fields, and your vineyards, and your oliveyards, even the best of them, and give them to his servants.
8:15 And he will take the tenth of your seed, and of your vineyards, and give to his officers, and to his servants.
8:16 And he will take your menservants, and your maidservants, and your goodliest young men, and your asses, and put them to his work.
8:17 He will take the tenth of your sheep: and ye shall be his servants.
8:18 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.
8:19 Nevertheless the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel; and they said, Nay; but we will have a king over us; 8:20 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.
8:21 And Samuel heard all the words of the people, and he rehearsed them in the ears of the LORD.
8:22 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.