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1 Samuel 8

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1 Samuel 8

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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 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.

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

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

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.



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.

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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Summary and the Meaning of Chapter 8 of 1 Samuel in the KJV Holy Bible

The book of 1 Samuel is a historical and prophetic book in the Old Testament of the Bible. It is the eighth book in the order of the books of the Bible and is named after the prophet and judge, Samuel. The book of 1 Samuel covers a significant period in the history of Israel, starting with the birth of Samuel and ending with the death of King Saul. It is a book that reveals the rise of the monarchy in Israel and the transition from the time of the judges to the time of the kings. Chapter 8 of 1 Samuel marks a pivotal point in the history of Israel as it records the people's demand for a king.

The Main Themes of Chapter 8

Chapter 8 of 1 Samuel revolves around the themes of kingship, leadership, and the consequences of rejecting God. The chapter also highlights the importance of obedience to God's will and the dangers of human desires and ambitions. It reveals the consequences of seeking worldly solutions rather than trusting in God's plan and guidance. The chapter also emphasizes the role of Samuel as a prophet and the importance of seeking God's will through prayer and discernment.

The People's Demand for a King

The chapter begins with the aging Samuel appointing his sons, Joel and Abijah, as judges over Israel. However, the sons did not follow in their father's footsteps and turned away from God, accepting bribes and perverting justice. As a result, the elders of Israel gathered and went to Samuel, demanding a king to rule over them like the other nations. This request deeply troubled Samuel as he saw it as a rejection of God as the true king of Israel.

The people's desire for a king was not a new one. In Deuteronomy 17:14-15, God had already given instructions for the Israelites on how to choose a king if they desired one. However, the people's request in 1 Samuel 8 was not in line with God's instructions. They wanted a king to rule over them, not to lead them in God's ways, but to be like the other nations. This demand was a direct violation of God's commandment in Exodus 20:3-4, where He forbade them from having other gods before Him and making idols to worship.

The Consequences of Rejecting God

Samuel warned the people about the consequences of having a king, but they refused to listen. He told them that a king would take their sons and daughters, their land, and their possessions for his own use. He also warned them that they would become slaves to the king and cry out to God for help, but He would not answer them. Despite these warnings, the people were determined to have a king, and God instructed Samuel to give them what they wanted.

The people's demand for a king was a rejection of God's sovereignty and leadership over them. They were not satisfied with God's way of ruling through judges, and they wanted a king to rule over them, just like the other nations. This rejection of God had consequences, and it would lead to the downfall of the nation of Israel.

The Role of Samuel as a Prophet

Throughout the book of 1 Samuel, Samuel is portrayed as a faithful and obedient servant of God. In chapter 8, we see him fulfilling his role as a prophet by delivering God's message to the people. He warned them about the dangers of having a king and reminded them of their covenant with God. He also interceded for them and prayed to God to grant them their request.

Samuel's role as a prophet was crucial in this chapter as he was the mediator between God and the people. He spoke God's words to the people and also represented the people's concerns and requests before God. His obedience to God's instructions and his faithfulness in delivering God's message is an example for us to follow in seeking and discerning God's will for our lives.

The Importance of Seeking God's Will

Chapter 8 of 1 Samuel also highlights the importance of seeking God's will and guidance in our lives. The people of Israel were so focused on their desire for a king that they did not consult God or seek His guidance. They were driven by their own desires and ambitions, and this led them to make a decision that would have severe consequences.

As Christians, we are called to seek God's will and guidance in all aspects of our lives. We should not be driven by our own desires and ambitions, but rather seek to align ourselves with God's plan and purpose for our lives. This requires prayer, discernment, and obedience to God's word. In doing so, we can avoid making decisions that may lead us away from God's perfect will for our lives.

The Meaning of Chapter 8

Chapter 8 of 1 Samuel holds several significant meanings for us as believers today. It serves as a reminder of the dangers of rejecting God and seeking worldly solutions to our problems. The people of Israel wanted a king to rule over them, but in doing so, they rejected God as their true king. This rejection had consequences, and it eventually led to the downfall of the nation.

The chapter also highlights the importance of obedience to God's will and the dangers of human desires and ambitions. The people of Israel were driven by their own desires and ambitions, and this led them to make a decision that was not in line with God's will. As Christians, we are called to seek God's will and guidance in all aspects of our lives and to be obedient to His word.

Furthermore, the chapter emphasizes the role of Samuel as a prophet and the importance of seeking God's will through prayer and discernment. Samuel's faithfulness and obedience to God's instructions serve as an example for us to follow as we seek to discern God's will for our lives.

In conclusion, chapter 8 of 1 Samuel is a significant chapter in the book as it marks a pivotal point in the history of Israel. It reveals the people's demand for a king, the consequences of rejecting God, and the importance of seeking His will and guidance in our lives. It also highlights the role of Samuel as a prophet and the dangers of being driven by our own desires and ambitions. As we study this chapter, let us be reminded of the importance of obedience to God's will and the dangers of rejecting Him as our true king.



This article is informed by the King James Version of the Holy Bible, the authors' personal knowledge, considerations and experience, and additional materials and resources available in internet.

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