1 Samuel 8 6

1 Samuel 8:6 kjv

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

1 Samuel 8:6 nkjv

But the thing displeased Samuel when they said, "Give us a king to judge us." So Samuel prayed to the LORD.

1 Samuel 8:6 niv

But when they said, "Give us a king to lead us," this displeased Samuel; so he prayed to the LORD.

1 Samuel 8:6 esv

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

1 Samuel 8:6 nlt

Samuel was displeased with their request and went to the LORD for guidance.

1 Samuel 8 verses

1 Samuel 8 6 Meaning

1 Samuel 8:6 describes the immediate reaction of the prophet and judge Samuel to the elders of Israel's demand for a human king. The request deeply "displeased" or was "evil in the eyes" of Samuel. Rather than responding to the elders directly, Samuel faithfully brought this significant matter before the Lord in prayer, seeking divine counsel and guidance.

1 Samuel 8 6 Context

1 Samuel chapter 8 marks a pivotal transition point in Israel's history, moving from the period of judges to monarchy. The immediate context of verse 6 follows the elders of Israel approaching Samuel in Ramah, stating their grievances against his sons, Joel and Abijah, whom he had appointed as judges over Israel. These sons were corrupt, perverting justice by taking bribes and oppressing the people (1 Sam 8:2-3). Citing this, the elders used it as the basis for their primary demand: "Appoint for us a king to judge us like all the nations" (1 Sam 8:5). This desire for a human king was born from impatience with Samuel's aging leadership, disappointment in his sons, and a longing to conform to the surrounding nations, who boasted visible, powerful monarchs capable of leading in battle and maintaining order. Samuel's prayer, therefore, happens at a moment of profound national decision and theological tension, as the people explicitly express a desire for an earthly system of governance over the unique direct rule of God.

1 Samuel 8 6 Word analysis

• "But the thing" (וַיֵּ֤רַע הַדָּבָר֙, vayyeraʿ haddāḇār):

  • וַיֵּ֤רַע (vayyeraʿ): Derived from the root ra'a', which literally means "to be bad," "to be evil," or "to do harm." When used impersonally like this, וַיֵּרַע בְעֵינֵי (vayyeraʿ beʿênê) translates as "it was evil in the eyes of" or "it displeased." This is a strong expression, indicating Samuel's displeasure was not merely a slight annoyance but a moral or spiritual objection. He perceived the request as inherently wrong or contrary to God's design.
  • הַדָּבָר֙ (haddāḇār): "The word," "the matter," or "the thing." Refers specifically to the demand of the elders for a king.

• "displeased Samuel" (בְעֵינֵ֣י שְׁמוּאֵ֗ל, beʿênê Šəmû’ēl):

  • בְעֵינֵ֣י (beʿênê): "In the eyes of." A common Hebrew idiom signifying in one's perception, opinion, or judgment. It was his assessment of the situation's gravity.
  • שְׁמוּאֵ֗ל (Šəmû’ēl): Samuel. The last of the judges and a prophet, deeply devoted to the Lord, through whom God communicated.

• "when they said" (לֵאמֹ֑ר, lē’mōr):

  • A very common Hebrew conjunction used to introduce direct speech or reported speech, simply meaning "saying" or "to say."

• "Give us a king to judge us." (תְּנָא־לָ֙נוּ֙ מֶ֣לֶךְ לְשָׁפְטֵ֔נוּ, təna’-lānû melek ləšāp̄əṭênū):

  • תְּנָא־לָ֙נוּ֙ (təna’-lānû): "Give to us!" This is an imperative, indicating a direct, emphatic demand, not a humble request. It reflects their decisiveness in the matter.
  • מֶ֣לֶךְ (melek): "A king." This term, a significant title in the ancient Near East, refers to a visible, earthly monarch with military and judicial authority, embodying national power and identity. This directly contrasted with Israel's unique status as a theocracy, where God Himself was the invisible King.
  • לְשָׁפְטֵ֔נוּ (ləšāp̄əṭênū): "To judge us." While judging was a function of the kings (like God's judges before them), their emphasis on "to judge us" points to their desire for a leader who would provide consistent governance and national defense, unlike the previous sporadic deliverances by judges. It also highlights their rejection of God as their ultimate judge and defender.

• "And Samuel prayed to the Lord." (וַיִּתְפַּלֵּ֥ל שְׁמוּאֵ֖ל אֶל־יְהוָֽה׃, wayyiṯpallel Šəmû’ēl ’el-YHWH):

  • וַיִּתְפַּלֵּ֥ל (wayyiṯpallel): From the Hithpael stem of the root palal, "to pray" or "to intercede." This form suggests an intensive, reflective, or intercessory act of prayer. Samuel's first and faithful response to personal distress or national crisis was always to turn to God. This exemplifies his spiritual integrity and dependence on the Divine will, rather than immediate human reaction or emotional outburst.
  • אֶל־יְהוָֽה׃ (’el-YHWH): "To Yahweh," referring to the personal, covenant God of Israel. Samuel's appeal was to the supreme Authority.

Words-group Analysis:

• "But the thing displeased Samuel": This phrase captures Samuel's profound inner conviction and emotional turmoil. His distress was rooted in a theological understanding: Israel's request for a king was an implicit rejection of God's direct rule, violating the distinct nature of their covenant relationship. It was not merely personal slight but an offense against God's established order for Israel.
• "when they said, 'Give us a king to judge us.'": This group of words pinpoints the exact content of the demand that provoked Samuel's reaction. It's a clear, collective declaration of the people's desire to change their governmental structure, aligning themselves with other nations and seeking human authority rather than relying solely on their invisible, divine King for justice and deliverance.
• "And Samuel prayed to the Lord.": This final phrase showcases Samuel's exemplary spiritual leadership and humility. Confronted with a request he found deeply problematic, his immediate and instinctive response was not to condemn or react emotionally, but to seek the Lord's wisdom. This action sets a crucial precedent for dealing with difficult national and personal matters within a life of faith—by laying them before God, the true sovereign.

1 Samuel 8 6 Bonus section

The seemingly reasonable request for a king ("to judge us") subtly reflects the limitations of the people's spiritual vision. While the role of judging was important, it hints at their failure to appreciate the nuanced yet profoundly direct judgment and deliverance God provided through the period of judges. They wanted a visible, tangible solution that offered perceived stability and strength, like what they saw in surrounding pagan nations. This mirrors a human tendency to lean on visible, human-engineered solutions rather than trusting God's often unseen and unconventional methods. This request, initially seemingly pragmatic, leads directly to God articulating that they have, in essence, "rejected me from being king over them" (1 Sam 8:7), thereby revealing the theological depth of Samuel's displeasure.

1 Samuel 8 6 Commentary

1 Samuel 8:6 stands as a poignant snapshot of a foundational crisis in Israel's history. Samuel's strong emotional response – that the matter "displeased" or was "evil in his eyes" – signals that this was more than a mere administrative shift. As God's faithful servant, Samuel understood that the demand for a king, especially motivated by a desire to "be like all the nations," was a profound departure from Israel's unique calling as God's chosen people, governed directly by Him. Their longing for a tangible human leader subtly veiled a deeper rejection of the invisible yet ever-present sovereignty of the Lord Himself.

Despite his deep personal distress, Samuel's response provides a powerful example of spiritual maturity and submission. He did not engage in immediate debate or condemnation of the elders. Instead, he turned instantly to prayer, bringing the challenging situation before the ultimate authority, Yahweh. This act underscores Samuel's role as an intercessor and a prophet who consistently sought divine counsel. It affirms the principle that when faced with seemingly overwhelming or theologically challenging demands, the faithful recourse is always to communicate with God, trusting His wisdom and guidance over human reasoning or emotion. Samuel’s prayer would unveil God's perspective on this epochal shift for Israel.