1 Samuel 8 10

1 Samuel 8:10 kjv

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

1 Samuel 8:10 nkjv

So Samuel told all the words of the LORD to the people who asked him for a king.

1 Samuel 8:10 niv

Samuel told all the words of the LORD to the people who were asking him for a king.

1 Samuel 8:10 esv

So Samuel told all the words of the LORD to the people who were asking for a king from him.

1 Samuel 8:10 nlt

So Samuel passed on the LORD's warning to the people who were asking him for a king.

1 Samuel 8 verses

1 Samuel 8 10 Meaning

1 Samuel 8:10 describes the pivotal moment where the prophet Samuel faithfully delivers the divine message to the people of Israel concerning their request for a king. Despite his personal distress and God's displeasure, Samuel conveys "all the words of the LORD," emphasizing the complete and authoritative nature of the message directly from God to the nation that had rejected Him as their ultimate ruler in favor of a human monarchy "like all the nations." This verse serves as an introduction to the detailed warnings and consequences that follow, foretelling the burdensome nature of human kingship in contrast to divine governance.

1 Samuel 8 10 Context

1 Samuel Chapter 8 opens with the lamentable situation of Samuel's sons, Joel and Abijah, who were appointed judges over Israel but "turned aside after dishonest gain and took bribes and perverted justice." This corruption, a direct contrast to Samuel's integrity, became the immediate catalyst for the elders of Israel to gather and confront Samuel. They demanded a king "like all the nations" to judge them, primarily because Samuel was old and his sons were not walking in his ways. This request, however, went deeper than just replacing corrupt judges; it was a rejection of God's unique covenantal relationship with Israel, where Yahweh Himself was their direct King and ruler. God explicitly tells Samuel, "They have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me from being king over them." Therefore, verse 10 sets the stage for Samuel, acting as God's faithful prophet, to deliver a solemn warning directly from the LORD about the inherent burdens and oppressions that a human king, acting according to the ways of the world, would impose on them. This delivery precedes the detailed "rights of the king" (1 Sam 8:11-17), ensuring the people are fully informed of the consequences of their desire before God concedes to their request. The broader historical context includes Israel's desire to conform to surrounding pagan nations rather than trusting in God's distinct plan for them as a theocracy.

1 Samuel 8 10 Word analysis

• So Samuel (וַיֹּאמֶר שְׁמוּאֵל, vayomer Sh'mu'el): The verb vayomer ("and he said") is a common Hebrew conjunction-verb, yet here it carries significant weight. It implies the commencement of a prophetic utterance. Samuel, a revered prophet and judge, acts as a divinely appointed messenger, not merely expressing his own thoughts but relaying God's explicit message, even when it might be difficult or unwelcome to the audience.
• told (שְׁמוּאֵל, vayomer Sh'mu'el): While simple in translation, the act of "telling" for a prophet involves speaking God's word directly and clearly. This highlights Samuel's obedience to God, as instructed in verse 7: "Obey their voice."
• all (כָּל־דִּבְרֵי, kol-divrei): The Hebrew kol signifies "all," "every," or "completeness." This emphasizes that Samuel did not omit any part of God's message, however harsh or unpalatable it might be. He presented the entire, unvarnished truth. This underscores the prophetic integrity and God's desire for full transparency regarding the implications of their choice.
• the words (דִּבְרֵי, divrei): From the root davar, meaning "word" or "matter." Here, "words" are more than mere sounds; they are authoritative utterances carrying weight and command. "Words of the LORD" (יהוה) elevates them to divine decree, binding and truthful, in contrast to human requests driven by a desire for earthly security.
• of the LORD (יְהוָה, YHWH): Refers to the personal, covenantal name of God. This attribution confirms the divine origin of the message, establishing its authority and validity. It also highlights the gravity of Israel's request: they were rejecting YHWH Himself as their King.
• to the people (אֶל־הָעָם, el-ha'am): Hebrew ha'am (the people) refers specifically to the gathered community of Israel, the entire nation represented by its elders. The message was public and directed at those who had made the request, ensuring they could not claim ignorance later. This signifies that the warning was for the whole nation, encompassing everyone who would be subject to the king.
• who were asking (הַשֹּׁאֲלִים, ha-sho'alim): From the verb sha'al, meaning "to ask," "to request." The participle emphasizes the ongoing action or characteristic: "those who were persistently asking." This points to the people's earnest and deliberate desire for a king, underscoring their active role in initiating this shift in their national governance.
• for a king (מֶלֶךְ, melekh): This Hebrew term denotes a "king" or "ruler." The core of Israel's demand was a change in their fundamental system of governance from a theocracy to a monarchy, driven by a desire to be like the surrounding pagan nations.
• from him (מֵאִתּוֹ, me'itto): This phrase emphasizes that their request for a king was directed to Samuel as God's representative. It shows that they sought validation and authority from the established prophetic office, even as their ultimate request undermined the very divine rule Samuel represented.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• So Samuel told all the words of the LORD: This phrase immediately establishes Samuel's role as a faithful mediator and God's role as the supreme authority. Samuel does not filter or soften the message, highlighting prophetic integrity. It sets up the following verses as a direct revelation of divine warnings concerning their desired monarchy.
• to the people who were asking for a king from him: This phrase clearly identifies the recipients and the catalyst for the divine message. It underscores the active agency of the people in their demand for a human king and the specific object of their desire—a monarchy requested through God's chosen prophet. This emphasizes the tension between the people's desire and God's preferred way of governance.

1 Samuel 8 10 Bonus section

The seemingly simple act of "asking for a king" carries a profound theological weight in 1 Samuel 8:10. It represents a significant departure from Israel's unique identity as a theocracy. Unlike other nations where the king often embodied a divine presence or was the supreme earthly authority, Israel's fundamental relationship was meant to be one where Yahweh Himself reigned directly through judges and priests. Their demand to "be like all the nations" (1 Sam 8:5) was not just a rejection of Samuel and his sons but, as God Himself states, a rejection of His direct kingship (1 Sam 8:7). This underlying polemic is against the very concept of a worldly king ruling with absolute power, characteristic of surrounding empires, implying a lack of trust in God's divine guidance and protection. The delivered message serves as an extensive caveat, a divine "I told you so," given beforehand to underscore Israel's accountability for the inevitable difficulties that human kingship would bring. It also reveals God's patient sovereignty, allowing Israel's chosen path even while exposing its inherent dangers, ultimately working within these human failures to establish the lineage leading to the true King, the Messiah.

1 Samuel 8 10 Commentary

1 Samuel 8:10 is a pivotal verse, marking the direct confrontation between God's will and Israel's stubborn desire. It encapsulates Samuel's obedience to deliver God's unfiltered word, even though the message carries an underlying tone of divine sadness and warning. The very act of Samuel conveying "all the words of the LORD" speaks volumes about divine justice and patience, as God grants humanity the freedom to make choices, yet provides clear warnings about the inherent consequences. The essence of the warning, expanded in the subsequent verses (1 Sam 8:11-18), highlights the shift from a voluntary service under God's righteous rule to an imposed subjugation under a human king's potentially oppressive hand. Israel's yearning for a king, like the other nations, exposed a fundamental distrust in God's unique provision and protection, desiring worldly conformity over divine distinction. This verse subtly contrasts divine freedom with the potential servitude of earthly governance, a pattern seen throughout history. Ultimately, while God concedes to their request, this decision, communicated through Samuel, foreshadows the many tribulations Israel will face under flawed human monarchs, setting the stage for the recurring need for a truly righteous King, Jesus Christ, who perfectly embodies God's rule.