1 Samuel 10 19

1 Samuel 10:19 kjv

And ye have this day rejected your God, who himself saved you out of all your adversities and your tribulations; and ye have said unto him, Nay, but set a king over us. Now therefore present yourselves before the LORD by your tribes, and by your thousands.

1 Samuel 10:19 nkjv

But you have today rejected your God, who Himself saved you from all your adversities and your tribulations; and you have said to Him, 'No, set a king over us!' Now therefore, present yourselves before the LORD by your tribes and by your clans."

1 Samuel 10:19 niv

But you have now rejected your God, who saves you out of all your disasters and calamities. And you have said, 'No, appoint a king over us.' So now present yourselves before the LORD by your tribes and clans."

1 Samuel 10:19 esv

But today you have rejected your God, who saves you from all your calamities and your distresses, and you have said to him, 'Set a king over us.' Now therefore present yourselves before the LORD by your tribes and by your thousands."

1 Samuel 10:19 nlt

But though I have rescued you from your misery and distress, you have rejected your God today and have said, 'No, we want a king instead!' Now, therefore, present yourselves before the LORD by tribes and clans."

1 Samuel 10 verses

1 Samuel 10 19 Meaning

This verse states God's clear accusation against the people of Israel, articulating that by demanding a human king, they have unequivocally rejected Him, their consistent and all-sufficient deliverer from every distress. Despite His unwavering salvation, they defied Him, insisting on having an earthly monarch. Consequently, God instructs them to gather by their ancestral tribes and their military divisions for Him to publicly reveal the chosen king.

1 Samuel 10 19 Context

This verse is part of Samuel's address to the people of Israel gathered at Mizpah, following their insistent demand for a human king despite God's previous warnings. Samuel, acting as God's prophet, is setting the stage for the public selection of their desired king. The immediate context of chapter 10 begins with Samuel privately anointing Saul, followed by specific prophetic signs validating Saul's divine call. Then, Samuel summons all Israel to Mizpah for a formal, public divine choice of a king, where this verse is spoken.

Historically, this event marks a pivotal transition in Israel's governance, shifting from a divinely led theocracy, mediated through judges and prophets, to a monarchy. This period was characterized by escalating Philistine threats, which exacerbated the people's desire for a visible military leader "like all the nations." From God's perspective, this request, driven by a lack of trust in His invisible rule and past deliverances, constituted a profound act of rejection, revealing a deeper spiritual problem of desiring human systems over divine sufficiency.

1 Samuel 10 19 Word analysis

• But you: (וְאַתֶּם - ve'attem) This conjunctive emphasizes a sharp contrast between God's consistent deliverance and Israel's ungrateful response. It highlights the direct responsibility and agency of the people in their actions.
• have today rejected: (הַיּוֹם מְאַסְתֶּם - hayyom me'astem)
  • "today": (hayyom) Emphasizes the immediacy and recency of their corporate decision, a stark and present act. It's not a past failing but a fresh, direct affront.
  • "rejected": (me'astem from verb מָאַס - ma'as) This powerful Hebrew verb signifies more than just a preference or turning away; it implies a thorough despising, scorning, or spurning, deeming something as worthless or repugnant. It's an act of contempt and disdain, indicating a deep spiritual repudiation rather than a mere administrative preference. This word choice conveys God's profound displeasure and the gravity of their spiritual betrayal.
• your God: (אֱלֹהֵיכֶם - Eloheichem) This phrase underscores the covenantal relationship God had established with Israel. "Your God" implies possession and a special, intimate bond that Israel is now breaking. It emphasizes God's faithful presence and role for them specifically.
• who saves you: (הַמּוֹשִׁיעַ אֶתְכֶם - hamoshia' etchem)
  • "saves": (moshiya', participle from יָשַׁע - yasha') Highlights God's perpetual nature as Deliverer and Rescuer. This isn't just about past acts of salvation (e.g., Exodus) but His continuous and ongoing provision for their well-being and security.
  • This phrase emphasizes God's consistent character as their provider and protector, making their rejection even more stark and unwarranted.
• from all your adversities and your troubles: (מִכָּל־רָעוֹתֵיכֶם וְצָרֹתֵיכֶם - mikkol-ra'oteichem vetzaroteichem) This stresses the comprehensive nature of God's deliverance. "All" indicates He protected them from every evil, hardship, and distress, implying His total sufficiency and Israel's complete lack of any legitimate need for an alternative savior.
• and you said to Him, ‘No, but set a king over us!’: (וַתֹּאמְרוּ לוֹ לֹא כִּי־מֶלֶךְ תָּשִׂים עָלֵינוּ - vattomru lo lo ki-melekh tasim aleinu!) This is a direct quote of Israel's defiant insistence.
  • "No, but": (lo ki) Expresses a clear negation and an assertive counter-demand. It demonstrates a stubborn refusal of God's implicit direct rule and His method of leadership.
  • "set a king over us!": (melekh tasim aleinu!) Their demand for a melekh (מֶלֶךְ - king), reveals a desire to replace their unseen divine King with a visible human ruler, prioritizing worldly security and appearances over divine guidance and unique covenant identity.
• Now therefore: (וְעַתָּה - ve'atta) A transitional phrase signaling a consequence or immediate command stemming from the preceding statements. It implies God's resigned acquiescence to their will, but not without demonstrating their choice's impact.
• present yourselves before the LORD: (הִתְיַצְּבוּ לִפְנֵי יְהוָה - hityatztzevuy lifnei Yahweh) A solemn command to assemble, indicating a formal, public, and divinely ordained process for the selection of the king. It underscores God's sovereignty even in yielding to their demand. It's an assembly not for negotiation, but for revelation.
• by your tribes and by your thousands: (לְשִׁבְטֵיכֶם וּלְאַלְפֵיכֶם - leshivateichem ule'alpheichem) Specifies the traditional, organized manner in which Israel was to assemble. This was the established method for identifying individuals or groups by divine lot (as seen in Joshua 7), underscoring the divine rather than human control over the selection process, despite their human demand. "Thousands" refers to military units or extended clans.

1 Samuel 10 19 Bonus section

This verse stands as a prototype of humanity's persistent inclination to lean on visible human structures and strength rather than to fully trust in the invisible, all-sufficient power of God. Israel's rejection of God as King foreshadows their later rejections of divine messengers and ultimately, the Messiah Himself, who came as a Servant King rather than a worldly potentate they desired. God’s granting of their demand, even when it displeases Him, reflects His sovereignty over even human sin and error, turning it into part of His larger redemptive plan (Hos 13:11, "I gave you a king in My anger, and took him away in My wrath"). This dynamic is seen throughout scripture: God often allows humanity's sinful choices to unfold, revealing their true nature and dependence on Him, even as He sovereignly works through them.

1 Samuel 10 19 Commentary

This verse encapsulates the theological gravity of Israel's demand for a king. God’s declaration, "you have today rejected your God," cuts to the core of their desire. It wasn't merely a request for an administrative change but a profound repudiation of God’s leadership and sufficiency. Despite God’s unfailing record as their Savior from "all their adversities and troubles," they expressed a deep distrust, choosing the flawed model of human kingship patterned after surrounding pagan nations. Their stubborn insistence ("No, but set a king over us!") highlights their spiritual blindness and preference for visible human authority over the unseen, unfailing divine rule. God, while hurt by their rejection, ironically accommodates their desire, albeit with a process—public assembly and divine selection—that still underscores His ultimate sovereignty, even in giving them what would ultimately be a less-than-ideal path for them. This passage serves as a powerful reminder that seeking human solutions instead of relying on God's divine provision is often rooted in a rejection of His faithful character and leadership.