1 Samuel 8:9 kjv
Now therefore hearken unto their voice: howbeit yet protest solemnly unto them, and show them the manner of the king that shall reign over them.
1 Samuel 8:9 nkjv
Now therefore, heed their voice. However, you shall solemnly forewarn them, and show them the behavior of the king who will reign over them."
1 Samuel 8:9 niv
Now listen to them; but warn them solemnly and let them know what the king who will reign over them will claim as his rights."
1 Samuel 8:9 esv
Now then, obey their voice; only you shall solemnly warn them and show them the ways of the king who shall reign over them."
1 Samuel 8:9 nlt
Do as they ask, but solemnly warn them about the way a king will reign over them."
1 Samuel 8 9 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Dt 17:14-15 | “When you come to the land that the Lord your God is giving you… and you say, ‘Let me set a king over me… you may indeed set a king over you whom the Lord your God chooses.” | Prophecy of Israel desiring a king. |
| Dt 17:16-17 | "Only he must not acquire many horses… neither shall he acquire much silver and gold for himself.” | Limitations/laws God prescribed for future kings. |
| 1 Sam 8:4-5 | "Then all the elders of Israel gathered themselves together and came to Samuel at Ramah and said to him… ‘appoint for us a king to judge us like all the nations.’” | Immediate context: Israel’s direct demand for a king. |
| 1 Sam 8:7 | "And the Lord said to Samuel, “Obey the voice of the people… for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me from being king over them.” | God identifies their true rejection as of Himself. |
| 1 Sam 8:11-18 | “He said, “These will be the ways of the king who will reign over you…” | Samuel's detailed explanation of the "manner of the king" as warned in v.9. |
| 1 Sam 10:19 | "But today you have rejected your God… and you said to him, ‘No! But set a king over us.’” | God reminds them of their rejection when appointing Saul. |
| 1 Sam 12:12 | "when you saw that Nahash the king of the Ammonites came against you, you said to me, ‘No, but a king shall reign over us’—though the Lord your God was your king.” | Samuel reiterates their reason for wanting a king and their rejection of God. |
| 1 Sam 12:17-19 | "Is it not the wheat harvest today? I will call upon the Lord, that he may send thunder and rain, and you shall know and see that your wickedness is great… in asking for yourselves a king.” | Divine sign confirming the wickedness of their request for a king. |
| Hos 13:10-11 | “Where now is your king… where is any other who may save you in all your cities? My anger gave you a king, and in My wrath I took him away.” | God’s retrospective comment on giving Israel a king. |
| Isa 9:6-7 | “For to us a child is born… And the government shall be upon his shoulder… Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David…” | Prophecy of the ultimate, righteous king, Jesus Christ, in contrast to earthly kings. |
| Zech 9:9 | “Rejoice greatly… your king comes to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey…” | Messianic prophecy about the nature of the true King. |
| Jn 18:36 | “Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world…” | Christ defines the nature of His heavenly, not earthly, kingship. |
| Rom 1:24, 26, 28 | "Therefore God gave them up… to dishonorable passions… to a debased mind…” | Echoes the concept of God "giving them up" to their desires, even sinful ones, with consequences. |
| Ps 10:16 | "The Lord is king forever and ever; the nations perish from his land." | Affirmation of God’s eternal kingship, which Israel initially rejected. |
| Ps 29:10 | "The Lord sits enthroned over the flood; the Lord sits enthroned as king forever." | God’s sovereign and everlasting reign. |
| Judg 8:22-23 | “Then the men of Israel said to Gideon, “Rule over us, you and your son and your grandson, for you have saved us from the hand of Midian.” Gideon said to them, “I will not rule over you… the Lord will rule over you.” | An earlier instance where direct human kingship was refused in favor of God’s rule. |
| Eze 3:17-19 | "Son of man, I have made you a watchman… Whenever you hear a word from my mouth, you shall give them warning from me.” | Prophetic mandate: The prophet must warn the people, as Samuel is doing. |
| Acts 14:16 | "In past generations he allowed all the nations to walk in their own ways." | General principle of God's permissive will concerning human choices. |
| Prov 29:4 | "By justice a king builds up the land, but a man who demands gifts tears it down." | Highlights the potential for corruption and injustice in human kingship. |
| Mk 10:42-45 | "You know that those who are supposed to rule over the Gentiles lord it over them… But whoever would be great among you must be your servant..." | Jesus' teaching on leadership, contrasting earthly dominion with selfless service. |
1 Samuel 8 verses
1 Samuel 8 9 Meaning
This verse conveys God's instruction to Samuel regarding Israel's demand for a king. Despite the people's rejection of God as their direct ruler, God permits Samuel to accede to their request. However, this permission comes with a strict condition: Samuel must unequivocally warn them about the oppressive nature, privileges, and inevitable burdens of an earthly monarch, making clear the severe consequences of such a leadership change. It underscores divine condescension to human will, coupled with a prophetic declaration of future hardships resulting from their choice.
1 Samuel 8 9 Context
1 Samuel chapter 8 marks a pivotal transition in Israel's history, moving from a theo-judicial system to a monarchy. Samuel, now old and his sons having proved corrupt judges, faces a demand from the elders of Israel: "Appoint for us a king to judge us like all the nations" (1 Sam 8:5). This request grieved Samuel, but God clarified to Samuel that the people's rejection was not of Samuel, but of God Himself as their king (1 Sam 8:7). Despite their outright rejection, God condescends to their will, instructing Samuel in verse 9 to fulfill their request, yet with a crucial condition. Samuel must solemnly warn them of the inevitable burdens and oppressive nature of the earthly king they desire, setting the stage for the detailed description in 1 Samuel 8:11-18. Historically, Israel had struggled to consistently live under God's direct rule, frequently falling into idolatry and being oppressed by surrounding nations, only to be delivered by divinely appointed judges. Their desire for a human king mirrored the political structures of the powerful pagan nations around them, signaling a departure from their unique identity as God's chosen people under a theocracy.
1 Samuel 8 9 Word analysis
- Now therefore (וְעַתָּה - v'attah): This conjunctive phrase acts as a pivot, connecting God's acceptance of Israel's plea (mentioned in the preceding verses) to the instruction Samuel is now to deliver. It signifies a logical consequence or a new directive based on what has just been stated. It indicates the divine resolution after hearing the people's persistent cry.
- hearken unto their voice (שְׁמַע בְּקוֹלָם - sh'ma b'qolam): "Listen to their voice" or "obey their plea." This phrase indicates God's permissive will. Despite their request being a rejection of Him, God grants them their desire. This demonstrates God's sovereignty over human choices, even misguided ones, allowing consequences to unfold. It echoes instances where God tells figures to listen to the pleas of others, often demonstrating His patience.
- howbeit yet protest solemnly unto them (הַעֵד תָּעִיד בָּהֶם - ha'ed ta'id bahem): This is a very strong, emphatic Hebrew construction, using an infinitive absolute followed by an imperfect form of the verb "to witness" or "to warn" (עוּד - 'ud). It means "you shall indeed warn them," "you shall solemnly testify to them," or "you shall surely make them hear a strong warning." It conveys a grave, formal, and irrefutable declaration, emphasizing the divine imperative for Samuel to leave no room for misunderstanding about the seriousness and repercussions of their choice. Samuel is acting as God's witness.
- and shew them (וְהִגִּדְתָּ לָהֶם - v'higgad'ta lahem): "And declare to them" or "and tell them." This reinforces the mandate for Samuel not only to protest but to clearly and explicitly articulate the nature and consequences of their decision. It signifies an act of imparting specific knowledge and information, preparing them for the reality of human monarchy.
- the manner of the king (מִשְׁפַּט הַמֶּלֶךְ - mishpat ha'melekh): The word mishpat can mean "judgment," "justice," "ordinance," "right," or "custom." Here, given its elaboration in verses 11-18, it refers to the customary "prerogatives" or "practices" of a king, often involving heavy-handed rule, taxation, forced labor, and military conscription. It is the practical, sometimes oppressive, conduct of a typical ancient Near Eastern king, distinct from the benevolent Torah law God provided. This mishpat represents the expected actions and demands of an earthly monarch, which were quite burdensome.
- that shall reign over them (אֲשֶׁר יִמְלֹךְ עֲלֵיהֶם - asher yimlokh aleihem): "Who will rule over them." This phrase highlights the future, impending reality of monarchy in Israel and specifies the function of the king – to exercise dominion "over" them. It underscores the shift from God's direct, invisible rule to a tangible, human overlord.
- hearken unto their voice: howbeit yet protest solemnly unto them: This phrase captures the tension between divine accommodation and divine truth. God allows Israel's human desire (hearken), but simultaneously ensures they are fully informed of the negative implications (protest solemnly). This reveals God's faithfulness in warning His people, even when they choose a path contrary to His perfect will. It demonstrates that God often permits human choices while simultaneously making the consequences abundantly clear, holding them accountable.
- protest solemnly unto them, and shew them the manner of the king: This grouping underscores Samuel’s dual role: a prophet faithfully delivering God's grave warning and an instructor clearly outlining the tangible implications of their choice. It is a severe warning that aims to shock them into understanding what their desired kingship will entail. The specific focus on "the manner" or "right" of the king indicates the tyrannical nature common among human rulers, especially concerning their oppressive policies of conscription and taxation described shortly after.
1 Samuel 8 9 Bonus section
- Polemics Against Earthly Monarchy: The verse and its subsequent elaboration serve as a potent critique against the prevalent model of kingship in the ancient Near East. While nations around Israel boasted of their powerful, divinely-appointed kings, God through Samuel exposes the despotic realities: the king would take their sons for chariots, their daughters for perfumers, their fields and vineyards, and their servants (1 Sam 8:11-17). This "manner of the king" (mishpat ha'melekh) is not a set of divine laws for a king, but rather the practical "rights" or oppressive customs kings imposed. This counter-narrative challenged the glorification of human monarchies and served as a sober reminder of the true nature of human power when untempered by divine principles.
- God's Sovereignty and Human Free Will: This incident showcases the intricate interplay between divine sovereignty and human free will. God maintains ultimate control ("hearken to their voice"), yet allows human choice even when it deviates from His ideal. He doesn't coerce or prevent, but clarifies the path they insist on taking. This demonstrates a deep respect for human agency while retaining His authority to declare consequences and work within the chosen path for His greater purposes.
- Samuel's Faithfulness: Samuel’s willingness to deliver this uncomfortable, unpopular message directly reflects his obedience and faithfulness as God's prophet. Despite his personal grief and the people's stubbornness, he does not shy away from conveying the unvarnished truth about their impending ruler, setting a standard for prophetic integrity.
1 Samuel 8 9 Commentary
In 1 Samuel 8:9, God instructs Samuel to concede to Israel's demand for a king, yet insists on a solemn, clear, and comprehensive warning about the consequences of their choice. This verse epitomizes God's permissive will; while His perfect desire was to be their direct king, He allowed them to choose a human monarch. This concession was accompanied by a crucial prophetic disclosure of the heavy cost of earthly kingship – taxation, forced labor, and military service – described in detail immediately thereafter (1 Sam 8:11-18). It underscores God's justice and grace: justice in laying bare the negative ramifications of their desire to be "like all the nations," and grace in still communicating with and guiding them even in their waywardness. The "manner of the king" represents the potential for tyranny and self-interest inherent in human power, a stark contrast to God's just and selfless rule. The people were eager for superficial advantages of kingship without understanding the profound personal cost and the spiritual compromise it represented. This foundational warning sets the stage for the tumultuous history of Israelite monarchy, which frequently suffered from the very issues Samuel foresaw.