1 Samuel 8 22

1 Samuel 8:22 kjv

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.

1 Samuel 8:22 nkjv

So the LORD said to Samuel, "Heed their voice, and make them a king." And Samuel said to the men of Israel, "Every man go to his city."

1 Samuel 8:22 niv

The LORD answered, "Listen to them and give them a king." Then Samuel said to the Israelites, "Everyone go back to your own town."

1 Samuel 8:22 esv

And the LORD said to Samuel, "Obey their voice and make them a king." Samuel then said to the men of Israel, "Go every man to his city."

1 Samuel 8:22 nlt

and the LORD replied, "Do as they say, and give them a king." Then Samuel agreed and sent the people home.

1 Samuel 8 verses

1 Samuel 8 22 Meaning

This verse reveals God's instruction to Samuel, acquiescing to the people's persistent demand for a human king, despite it stemming from their rejection of God's direct rule. Samuel then conveys this temporary dismissal to the assembly, indicating a pause before the next stage of appointing a monarch begins. It marks a pivotal moment of transition from the era of judges to the monarchy in Israel's history.

1 Samuel 8 22 Context

1 Samuel 8 marks a pivotal transition in Israel's governance, shifting from a theocracy led by judges to a monarchy. Immediately preceding verse 22, the elders of Israel approached an aging Samuel, expressing discontent with his corrupt sons who were supposed to succeed him as judges (1 Sam 8:1-3). Their demand, however, went beyond replacing judges; they insisted on having "a king to judge us like all the nations" (1 Sam 8:5). This request grieved Samuel, but the Lord revealed to him that it was not Samuel they had rejected, but God Himself as their king (1 Sam 8:7). God then commanded Samuel to solemnly warn the people about the oppressive nature of an earthly king, detailing how a monarch would exploit them (1 Sam 8:10-18). Despite this stark warning, the people remained adamant, declaring, "Nay; but we will have a king over us; 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" (1 Sam 8:19-20). Verse 22 then follows this resolute demand, representing God's final, reluctant assent and Samuel's practical instruction.

Historically, this period follows the chaotic era of the Judges, where "every man did that which was right in his own eyes." While the Law (Deut 17) anticipated a king, Israel's timing and motivation—wanting a king "like all the nations"—were flawed, indicating a desire to conform to pagan practices rather than trusting in God's unique covenantal relationship.

1 Samuel 8 22 Word analysis

• And the Lord said: The Hebrew here is waiyo'mer YHWH. YHWH (translated "the Lord" in English) is God's covenant name, signifying His unchanging, personal, and relational presence. The direct address underscores divine authority and the momentous nature of this decree.
• to Samuel, Hearken unto their voice,: Samuel (שְׁמוּאֵל - Shemu'el), means "heard of God" or "name of God," aptly reflecting his role as a prophet and intermediary. Hearken is shama' (שָׁמַע), which means more than just to hear; it implies listening with intent to obey or comply. Here, God tells Samuel to comply with Israel's request, a stark paradox given that their "voice" (קול - qol) expressed a rejection of God (1 Sam 8:7). This demonstrates God's sovereignty even in allowing human choice to proceed, albeit with consequences.
• and make them a king.: Make them a king (wamalak lahem melek). The Hebrew verb malak (מָלַךְ) is often used for reigning or acting as king, but here in the causative sense, it means "to cause them to reign" or "appoint a king for them." This highlights God's permissive will. While a king was prophesied (Deut 17:14), Israel's motivation and timing forced God's hand to permit a system that they desired out of rebellion, rather than command it out of perfect obedience. God condescends to their rebellious demand.
• And Samuel said unto the men of Israel,: This signifies Samuel's continued role as God's faithful servant, conveying even difficult or undesirable messages. Despite his personal grief and God's lament, Samuel executes the divine command.
• Go ye every man unto his city.: Go ye (לְכוּ - lekhoo) and unto his city (אֶל עִירוֹ - el iro). This is a practical dismissal of the assembled elders and representatives. It implies that the decision has been made, but the immediate action of selecting and anointing a king will not happen at this assembly. It marks a temporary scattering and a pause before the next divine instruction or public announcement, setting the stage for God's sovereign choice of Saul (1 Sam 9-10). It delays the immediate gratification of their desire, creating suspense and allowing time for the chosen one to be identified.

1 Samuel 8 22 Bonus section

The seemingly simple act of dispersing the people ("Go ye every man unto his city") serves multiple practical and theological functions. It prevents an immediate, possibly impulsive, selection by the people, thereby reserving the true appointment for God's timing and method, which would soon involve Samuel privately anointing Saul. It also underscores that Israel's journey to having a king was a process initiated by human demand but ultimately controlled by divine selection. This brief instruction functions as an administrative closing to the intense debate and confrontation that took place at Ramah, preparing the stage for the specific individual God had chosen to emerge. The scattering of the men implies that the process would now move from a corporate demand to an individual divine calling.

1 Samuel 8 22 Commentary

1 Samuel 8:22 represents God's acquiescence to Israel's demand for a human king, a desire rooted in their rejection of God's direct rule and their craving to be "like all the nations." This verse captures the tension between divine sovereignty and human free will, even rebellious free will. God permits Israel to have a king, not as an endorsement of their desire or a fulfillment of His ideal plan, but as a concession to their persistent rejection. It's a testament to God's patient long-suffering and His willingness to grant, in His permissive will, what people vehemently demand, even when it comes with severe consequences He has forewarned them about. Samuel, as the faithful prophet, navigates this complex command by first delivering God's warning, then conveying God's "yes" in the form of a dismissal, scattering the people to await God's next move. This dispersion of the people signifies a waiting period, underscoring that the manner and timing of the king's appointment remain in God's hands. This episode underscores the critical lesson that pursuing desires contrary to God's perfect will often leads to future suffering, yet God's sovereign hand can still work within even these imperfect choices for His ultimate purposes.