1 Samuel 8 21

1 Samuel 8:21 kjv

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

1 Samuel 8:21 nkjv

And Samuel heard all the words of the people, and he repeated them in the hearing of the LORD.

1 Samuel 8:21 niv

When Samuel heard all that the people said, he repeated it before the LORD.

1 Samuel 8:21 esv

And when Samuel had heard all the words of the people, he repeated them in the ears of the LORD.

1 Samuel 8:21 nlt

So Samuel repeated to the LORD what the people had said,

1 Samuel 8 verses

1 Samuel 8 21 Meaning

This verse describes Samuel's immediate and obedient response to the people's persistent demand for a human king. Upon hearing their complete petition, he faithfully relays every word directly into the presence of the Lord. This action underscores Samuel's role as a trusted mediator between God and Israel, consistently bringing the people's desires and issues before the divine will, even when those desires conflicted with God's original plan for their governance.

1 Samuel 8 21 Context

1 Samuel Chapter 8 marks a pivotal transition in Israel's history, as the nation moves from the period of judges to that of kings. Samuel, who had faithfully served as Israel's last judge and prophet, had appointed his sons to succeed him, but they proved to be corrupt, perverting justice for gain. Because of this, the elders of Israel gathered and confronted Samuel, demanding a king "like all the nations" to govern them and lead them in battle. This demand greatly displeased Samuel, as it effectively signified a rejection of God's direct rule over them. Instead of acting on his own dismay, Samuel took the matter directly to the Lord in prayer. The immediate verses preceding verse 21 depict Samuel presenting their initial request to God (v. 6), God's response that this demand was a rejection of Him as King (v. 7), and Samuel subsequently warning the people about the oppressive nature of a human king (v. 10-18). Despite Samuel's stark warnings, the people vehemently insisted on having a king (v. 19-20). Verse 21 then details Samuel's crucial act of returning to God to convey the people's persistent and final refusal to heed his warnings, bringing their "every word" back to the Divine ear.

1 Samuel 8 21 Word analysis

• And when Samuel: (Hebrew: וַיִּשְׁמַע שְׁמוּאֵל, wa-yishma' shmu'el) - The initial "And when" or "And he heard" indicates Samuel's role as a recipient of information. Shama (שמע) means "to hear," "to listen," and often "to obey." In Samuel's case, it highlights his attentive nature, which is fundamental to his prophetic calling. His very name, Samuel (Shemu'el), means "heard of God" or "God hears," ironically connecting to his capacity both to hear God and to be heard by God on behalf of the people. This act signifies his ongoing duty as God's designated intercessor.
• heard all the words: (Hebrew: אֶת־כָּל־דִּבְרֵי, 'et kol-divrei) - "All the words" emphasizes that Samuel did not filter or selectively report; he relayed the full, unabridged message, even though it was displeasing and rebellious against God. The term dabar (דבר) often signifies a matter, command, or a solemn pronouncement, giving gravity to the people's request. It indicates Samuel's thoroughness and commitment to accuracy in his mediation.
• of the people: (Hebrew: הָעָם, ha-'am) - Refers to the collective entity of Israel, specifically represented by the elders who had approached Samuel with their demand. This highlights that it was a widespread, communal desire, not merely an individual whim.
• he repeated them: (Hebrew: וַיְדַבֵּר, wayedabber) - Derived from the same root dabar as "words," this verb means "to speak" or "to report." It conveys an active, intentional act of communicating, reinforcing Samuel's role as a faithful messenger. He wasn't just pondering or being heard, but actively speaking forth. It is the formal action of a prophet reporting back to their source.
• in the ears of the Lord: (Hebrew: בְּאָזְנֵי יְהוָה, be'oznei Yahweh) - This is a significant anthropomorphism, portraying God as actively listening and engaged. It underscores the direct, intimate, and reverential nature of Samuel's communication with God. It implies personal audience and God's attentiveness to even rebellious human pleas. Samuel is bringing their raw, unfiltered request directly before the Divine sovereign, not behind His back, showing full transparency and dependence. This also implies God's readiness to hear and respond to His people, even when their requests are flawed.

Words-group Analysis:

• "And when Samuel heard all the words of the people": This phrase establishes Samuel's obedient and comprehensive reception of the people's demands. It portrays him not as an opinionated judge at this moment, but as a pure conduit for the communication, absorbing the entirety of their request without personal interpretation or omission before consulting the Divine. This is characteristic of a faithful prophet's responsibility.
• "he repeated them in the ears of the Lord": This clause completes the cycle of mediation, showcasing Samuel's exemplary prophetic fidelity. Despite his personal grief and divine confirmation that this request was a rejection of God (v. 7), Samuel still dutifully conveyed the full extent of the people's obstinacy to the Lord. It signifies his unwavering commitment to bringing everything before God's ultimate authority, placing the decision squarely in the Divine realm. This act highlights deep trust in God's wisdom and sovereign will, regardless of the challenging nature of the message.

1 Samuel 8 21 Bonus section

Samuel's consistent posture of taking matters to the Lord ("in the ears of the Lord") is a recurring theme in his life (cf. 1 Sam 3:11, 8:6, 9:15-17). This indicates his profound relationship with God and models absolute dependence. The phrasing also subtly contrasts Samuel's faithful "hearing" and "repeating" to God with the people's ultimate failure to "hear" and "obey" God's original will (e.g., Deut 17:14-20 outlining kingship, yet Israel's motivation here is for conformity rather than righteous governance). Samuel's act here sets the stage for God's subsequent, sorrowful, but sovereign permission for a human king, illustrating that while God allows human free will and its consequences, He still orchestrates events within His broader redemptive plan. The choice of king would be given to them "in anger" but ultimately still be within God's allowing counsel, as even David would later be chosen by God Himself, showcasing His ongoing involvement in Israel's destiny.

1 Samuel 8 21 Commentary

1 Samuel 8:21 stands as a concise yet powerful testimony to Samuel's unwavering obedience and exemplary character as God's mediator. Despite his clear personal distress and prior divine disapproval of Israel's request for a king (1 Sam 8:6-7), Samuel consistently puts his own feelings aside and fully embodies the role of a faithful prophet. He hears all the words, acknowledging the completeness and gravity of the people's stubborn demand, and then, without delay or modification, faithfully repeats them directly into God's presence. This act illustrates the absolute submission of God's servant to the divine will and procedure. It's a profound demonstration of intercession: bringing the very desires, even the flawed ones, of the people to God and waiting for God's ultimate decree. It reminds believers today of the importance of honest, unfiltered prayer, bringing all concerns, frustrations, and even misguided desires before the Lord, trusting in His ultimate wisdom and sovereignty. Just as Samuel faithfully conveyed a rebellious request, so too can we lay all things before God, confident that He hears and will respond according to His perfect plan.