Tyndale Open Study Notes1 Samuel 8

When Israel was changing to a monarchy (rule by kings), neither God (1 Samuel 8:7–9) nor Samuel (1 Samuel 12:1–25) liked the people's request for a king. Saul, the first king (1 Samuel 9–11), did not succeed in his role (1 Samuel 13–31) and proved Samuel's warnings true (see 1 Samuel 8:10–18; compare 1 Samuel 16:1–13).

Samuel’s two oldest sons served as judges in Beersheba, which is 80.5 kilometers (50 miles) south of their father's home.

his sons did not walk in his ways: They were more like Eli’s two sons (1 Samuel 2:12–17). Their corruption was a main reason the time of the judges ended.

• you are old, and your sons do not walk in your ways: Judges were usually local leaders. But kings, as national leaders, could unite the entire nation during crises (1 Samuel 8:20). However, a spiritual issue was behind the request for a king (1 Samuel 8:7–8).

• Other nations, like Egypt and Sumer, were ruled by kings for nearly 2,000 years before Samuel’s time.

Samuel was unhappy. He likely felt personally rejected (1 Samuel 8:7).

• Listen to the voice of the people: God rarely told a prophet to listen to the misguided people. The people's desires and God's will would align with King David (see 2 Samuel 7:8–17).

• they have rejected Me: By rejecting judges, they were actually rejecting God's rule and authority (see also 1 Samuel 12:1–17).

serving other gods: The people’s request for a king showed a lack of trust in God. They wanted a human ruler to give them security instead of relying on God as their king. Because of this, Israel’s monarchy was a divine concession (something God allowed), not a divine gift. Any king or human institution becomes idolatrous when people trust it more than they trust God.

These verses explain why being a king has downsides. Each sentence describes something the king would take. A king would seize things, not just protect them.

The people wanted a king to lead them, but Samuel warned that the king would control them. They asked for a leader but got a ruler.

The king would take both people and their belongings.

People had to give a tenth of their harvest as a sacred donation to support God's temple and its workers (Deuteronomy 12:6, 17–18; 14:22–29; 26:12–15). The king also required another tenth, which was a heavy burden due to the unpredictable nature of farming.

you yourselves will become his slaves: By asking for a king, the people whose ancestors were once slaves in Egypt risked becoming enslaved again (see 1 Kings 12:1 20).

The people would plead for relief, just like their ancestors did in Egypt under a harsh ruler (see Exodus 3:7).

• God had set Israel apart from other nations (Leviticus 20:26; Numbers 23:9). By wanting a king and wishing to be like other nations, they were rejecting God's plan (see 1 Samuel 8:5–7; compare Deuteronomy 17:14).

• to judge us, to go out before us, and to fight our battles.”: Kings had three main roles:

  1. waging wars, both offensive and defensive,

  2. enforcing laws, and

  3. ensuring economic stability.

repeated them in the hearing of the LORD: A prophet's role included presenting the people's concerns to God (see Numbers 27:5).

Appoint a king for them: See study note on 1 Samuel 8:7; compare with Romans 1:24–26.