1 Samuel 8:19

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 1 Samuel 8:10-22

The consequences of requesting a king 8:10-22Samuel explained what having a king similar to all the nations would mean. The elders were interested in the functions of monarchy, but Samuel pointed out the nature of monarchy. It meant the loss of freedoms and possessions that the people presently enjoyed. In 1 Samuel 8:11-17, Samuel did not define the rights of a king but described the ways of most kings. [Note: G. Coleman Luck, "Israel’s Demand for a King," Bibliotheca Sacra 120:477... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 8:1-22

The People demand a King1. Judges] They would be subordinate to their father. When the son of a Judge was influential and popular, he might easily succeed to his father’s position: cp. A bimelech in Judges 9:1.5. Like all the nations] This was the sin of the people. God intended that they, unlike other nations, should be a peculiar people, governed directly by Himself.6. Displeased Samuel] They had shown themselves forgetful of their relation to God and ungrateful to Samuel himself. But in... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 8:1-52

See on 1 Samuel 9:1. There are clearly two accounts of the institution of the kingship. In 1 Samuel 8, the wish for a king is regarded as a sign of disloyalty to the real King, Jehovah, and, as such, Samuel protests against it. In 1 Samuel 9 - 1 Samuel 10:16, Jehovah himself chooses Saul to deliver his people from the Philistines: cp. Intro. § 2. read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - 1 Samuel 8:19

(19) The people refused.—The warning words of the prophet-judge were evidently carefully considered and debated in a formal assembly, but the majority at least abided by the terms of their request. read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 8:1-22

CHAPTER X.THE PEOPLE DEMAND A KING.1 Samuel 8:1-22.WHATEVER impression the "Ebenezer" of Samuel may have produced at the time, it passed away with the lapse of years. The feeling that, in sympathy with Samuel, had recognized so cordially at that time the unbroken help of Jehovah from the very beginning, waxed old and vanished away. The help of Jehovah was no longer regarded as the palladium of the nation. A new generation had risen up that had only heard from their fathers of the deliverance... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - 1 Samuel 8:4-22

II. KING SAUL: HIS REIGN AND REJECTION 1. The King Demanded CHAPTER 8:4-22 1. The king demanded (1 Samuel 8:4-9 ) 2. The rights of the king (1 Samuel 8:10-22 ) The kingly government is now to be established through the deliberate and untheocratic self-determination of the people. Jehovah was their invisible King, and Him they rejected by requesting a king like all the nations. The motives for the demand of a king are three: 1. The old age of Samuel and the unfitness of his sons; 2. The... read more

L.M. Grant

L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 8:1-22

However, old age often brings weariness with it. The time comes when Samuel considers it necessary to have others as judges in the land, and it was quite natural (not spiritual) that he should give this place to his sons, specially since God had evidently not raised up any one else to take this responsibility. In fact, people generally expect something like this. What was Samuel to do? Certainly he could have earnestly sought the Lord's face first about a matter so important, entreating His... read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 8:1-22

PASSING OF THE JUDGESHIP A NATIONAL REVIVAL AND ITS RESULTS (1 Samuel 7:0 ) In our last we left the ark in care of the men of Kirjath-jearim, which means “the city of woods,” and is located near Bethshemesh and northwest of Jerusalem. Why the ark was not brought to Shiloh is not stated, but only that it remained in the city before-named twenty years. It would appear from 2 Samuel 6:0 and 1 Chronicles 13:0 that it remained there longer, but that period had elapsed when the event of this... read more

Joseph Parker

The People's Bible by Joseph Parker - 1 Samuel 8:1-22

Making a King 1Sa 8:5 WE have seen Israel defeated, almost destroyed, in war with the Philistines. We have seen Israel in extremity, prostrate before Almighty God, and crying unto him, in intolerable woe, for interposition in the time of torment and hopelessness. The prayer has been responded to, and Israel has been revived. A new hope has cheered the hearts of those who prayed unto the Lord of heaven. In the revival of strength Israel has become political. A new idea has occurred to the... read more

Robert Hawker

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - 1 Samuel 8:19-20

(19) Nevertheless the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel; and they said, Nay; but we will have a king over us; (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. That this spirit of rebellion was not against Samuel and his sons, but (as I said before) against God, is here somewhat more plain. For they speak of their king fighting their battles. Had not God fought their battles all the way along from Egypt to... read more

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