1 Samuel 8

1 factum est autem cum senuisset Samuhel posuit filios suos iudices Israhel

2 fuitque nomen filii eius primogeniti Iohel et nomen secundi Abia iudicum in Bersabee

3 et non ambulaverunt filii illius in viis eius sed declinaverunt post avaritiam acceperuntque munera et perverterunt iudicium

4 congregati ergo universi maiores natu Israhel venerunt ad Samuhel in Ramatha

5 dixeruntque ei ecce tu senuisti et filii tui non ambulant in viis tuis constitue nobis regem ut iudicet nos sicut universae habent nationes

6 displicuitque sermo in oculis Samuhelis eo quod dixissent da nobis regem ut iudicet nos et oravit Samuhel Dominum

7 dixit autem Dominus ad Samuhel audi vocem populi in omnibus quae loquuntur tibi non enim te abiecerunt sed me ne regnem super eos

8 iuxta omnia opera sua quae fecerunt a die qua eduxi eos de Aegypto usque ad diem hanc sicut dereliquerunt me et servierunt diis alienis sic faciunt etiam tibi

9 nunc ergo audi vocem eorum verumtamen contestare eos et praedic eis ius regis qui regnaturus est super eos

10 dixit itaque Samuhel omnia verba Domini ad populum qui petierat a se regem

11 et ait hoc erit ius regis qui imperaturus est vobis filios vestros tollet et ponet in curribus suis facietque sibi equites et praecursores quadrigarum suarum

12 et constituet sibi tribunos et centuriones et aratores agrorum suorum et messores segetum et fabros armorum et curruum suorum

13 filias quoque vestras faciet sibi unguentarias et focarias et panificas

14 agros quoque vestros et vineas et oliveta optima tollet et dabit servis suis

15 sed et segetes vestras et vinearum reditus addecimabit ut det eunuchis et famulis suis

16 servos etiam vestros et ancillas et iuvenes optimos et asinos auferet et ponet in opere suo

17 greges vestros addecimabit vosque eritis ei servi

18 et clamabitis in die illa a facie regis vestri quem elegistis vobis et non exaudiet vos Dominus in die illa

19 noluit autem populus audire vocem Samuhel sed dixerunt nequaquam rex enim erit super nos

20 et erimus nos quoque sicut omnes gentes et iudicabit nos rex noster et egredietur ante nos et pugnabit bella nostra pro nobis

21 et audivit Samuhel omnia verba populi et locutus est ea in auribus Domini

22 dixit autem Dominus ad Samuhel audi vocem eorum et constitue super eos regem et ait Samuhel ad viros Israhel vadat unusquisque in civitatem suam

1 Samuel 8 Commentary

Chapter 8

The evil government of Samuel's sons. (1-3) The Israelites ask for a king. (4-9) The manner of a king. (10-22)

Verses 1-3 It does not appear that Samuel's sons were so profane and vicious as Eli's sons; but they were corrupt judges, they turned aside after lucre. Samuel took no bribes, but his sons did, and then they perverted judgment. What added to the grievance of the people was, that they were threatened by an invasion from Nahash, king of the Ammonites.

Verses 4-9 Samuel was displeased; he could patiently bear what reflected on himself, and his own family; but it displeased him when they said, Give us a king to judge us, because that reflected upon God. It drove him to his knees. When any thing disturbs us, it is our interest, as well as our duty, to show our trouble before God. Samuel is to tell them that they shall have a king. Not that God was pleased with their request, but as sometimes he opposes us from loving-kindness, so at other times he gratifies us in wrath; he did so here. God knows how to bring glory to himself, and serves his own wise purposes, even by men's foolish counsels.

Verses 10-22 If they would have a king to rule them, as the eastern kings ruled their subjects, they would find the yoke exceedingly heavy. Those that submit to the government of the world and the flesh, are told plainly, what hard masters they are, and what tyranny the dominion of sin is. The law of God and the manner of men widely differ from each other; the former should be our rule in the several relations of life; the latter should be the measure of our expectations from others. These would be their grievances, and, when they complained to God, he would not hear them. When we bring ourselves into distress by our own wrong desires and projects, we justly forfeit the comfort of prayer, and the benefit of Divine aid. The people were obstinate and urgent in their demand. Sudden resolves and hasty desires make work for long and leisurely repentance. Our wisdom is, to be thankful for the advantages, and patient under the disadvantages of the government we may live under; and to pray continually for our rulers, that they may govern us in the fear of God, and that we may live under them in all godliness and honesty. And it is a hopeful symptom when our desires of worldly objects can brook delay; and when we can refer the time and manner of their being granted to God's providence.

Chapter Summary

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.