1 Samuel 8 8

1 Samuel 8:8 kjv

According to all the works which they have done since the day that I brought them up out of Egypt even unto this day, wherewith they have forsaken me, and served other gods, so do they also unto thee.

1 Samuel 8:8 nkjv

According to all the works which they have done since the day that I brought them up out of Egypt, even to this day?with which they have forsaken Me and served other gods?so they are doing to you also.

1 Samuel 8:8 niv

As they have done from the day I brought them up out of Egypt until this day, forsaking me and serving other gods, so they are doing to you.

1 Samuel 8:8 esv

According to all the deeds that they have done, from the day I brought them up out of Egypt even to this day, forsaking me and serving other gods, so they are also doing to you.

1 Samuel 8:8 nlt

Ever since I brought them from Egypt they have continually abandoned me and followed other gods. And now they are giving you the same treatment.

1 Samuel 8 verses

1 Samuel 8 8 Meaning

God states that Israel's request for a human king is not a new or isolated incident but is consistent with their historical pattern of abandoning Him and serving other gods, a pattern that has persisted since He delivered them from Egypt until that very day. Their rejection of Samuel is fundamentally a rejection of God Himself as their king.

1 Samuel 8 8 Context

1 Samuel 8 records a pivotal moment in Israelite history—the transition from the judgeship to the monarchy. Samuel, now old, had appointed his sons, Joel and Abijah, as judges over Israel. However, his sons "did not walk in his ways; they turned aside after dishonest gain, took bribes, and perverted justice" (1 Sam 8:3). This corruption prompted the elders of Israel to gather and approach Samuel, demanding a king "like all the nations" (1 Sam 8:5). This demand displeased Samuel, who viewed it as a personal rejection. Samuel prayed to God, and the Lord responded by reassuring Samuel that the people's rejection was not of him but of God Himself (1 Sam 8:7). Verse 8 elaborates on this divine assessment, connecting the current rejection of God as King to a long-standing pattern of Israelite apostasy. Historically, Israel often succumbed to the idolatry of surrounding nations, despite God's repeated deliverances and specific instructions to remain separate and holy as His unique people under His direct rule.

1 Samuel 8 8 Word analysis

• According to all the deeds: Implies a consistency and pattern of behavior. It’s not a new anomaly but an action aligned with their established historical conduct.
• which they have done: Places responsibility squarely on the people of Israel. Their current actions are a consequence of their choices.
• since the day I brought them up out of Egypt:
  • This phrase emphasizes the very beginning of their existence as a nation and covenant people, starting with God's miraculous deliverance from slavery. The Hebrew verb for "brought them up" (העלותי, ha’alotiy) specifically signifies causing to ascend or leading up, referring to the Exodus journey from the low lands of Egypt to the Promised Land.
  • This highlights the ungrateful and rebellious nature of Israel, as their disobedience began almost immediately after receiving immense divine favor and liberation.
• even to this day—: Underscores the long, continuous, and unbroken history of their unfaithfulness. It implies persistence in a harmful pattern across generations.
• they have forsaken Me:
  • The Hebrew verb is עזבוני (‘azavuni), meaning "they have forsaken me" or "abandoned me." It denotes a deliberate turning away, a desertion, or neglect of a relationship or duty.
  • This is the core accusation: spiritual infidelity. They have actively renounced their covenant Lord.
• and served other gods—:
  • The Hebrew verb is ויעבדוני (waya‘avduni), meaning "and served me," but here, "served other gods," using the same root (עבד, ‘avad) which means to work, labor, or worship/serve. It denotes submission and allegiance.
  • This clarifies how they forsook God – by worshipping deities, idols, or forces other than the Lord. It signifies idolatry, which is often metaphorically described as spiritual adultery against the Lord, Israel's divine husband.
• so they are doing to you also:
  • The phrase "גם לך" (gam lach) means "also to you" or "even to you."
  • This powerfully equates the people's rejection of Samuel, the prophet and judge, with their chronic, underlying rejection of God Himself. It’s a divine interpretation of their actions: Samuel is merely the visible, current target of their established pattern of spiritual disloyalty to the invisible King.

1 Samuel 8 8 Bonus section

The repetitive nature of Israel's sin in forsaking God and serving other gods, as highlighted in this verse, points to the inherent human tendency towards self-reliance and the adoption of worldly patterns rather than complete trust in divine provision and guidance. This historical pattern underscores the necessity of a New Covenant (Jer 31, Heb 8) where God writes His laws on the hearts of His people, providing a spiritual transformation that addresses the root issue of rebellion and enables genuine faithfulness. This deep-seated propensity for rebellion also prefigures the ultimate need for Christ's perfect kingship, as earthly kings eventually proved insufficient and often led the people further astray.

1 Samuel 8 8 Commentary

1 Samuel 8:8 offers a profound divine commentary on Israel's demand for a king. God explicitly frames their current action not as a legitimate response to Samuel's corrupt sons, but as another manifestation of their persistent spiritual apostasy. This verse unveils a deep theological truth: their desire for a king "like all the nations" stemmed from a fundamental misunderstanding of their unique identity as God's chosen people, distinct precisely because God Himself was their King. The nation’s spiritual sickness, evidenced by continuous idolatry and rebellion from the Exodus onwards, culminated in this formal rejection of His direct rule. Their sin was not merely an administrative or political preference but a rejection of their special relationship with the one true God, choosing human authority and a pagan model of governance over His perfect sovereignty and covenant leadership. This history serves as a stark warning against replacing divine leadership with human desires for conformity, security, or worldly systems, often rooted in an unacknowledged abandonment of God.