1 Samuel 8
DOYLYChap. IX. ver. 1.—a mighty man of power.] This seems to be meant of his great bodily strength and courage; for Saul himself describes his family to be “the least of all the families of Benjamin,” ver. 21. Bp. Patrick.
1 Samuel 8:7
7.— Hearken unto the voice &c.] God grants their desire of having a king, not as approving their request, but, on the contrary, that it might turn to their punishment, as is affirmed, Hos. xiii. 11. Dr. Wells. God was unwilling to exercise such a resistless control, as totally to disregard the choice of His people, and chain
Samuel telleth the manner of a king. Before CHRIST about 1095. they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them.
1 Samuel 8:11
- — This will be the manner of the king &c.] He proceeds to shew them, that the sufferings, into which they were about to run, were much greater than those of which they complained; that, in subjecting themselves to an arbitrary prince, they would lie at the mercy of one who would have the power, and perhaps the disposition, to treat them rather as slaves than as
1 Samuel 8:15
- — the tenth] It was part of the royal right in Eastern countries, to have the tenth part of the fruit of the land for the king’s share; and, if they contented themselves with this portion, they were accounted good kings. Bp. Patrick.
1 Samuel 8:18
- — the Lord will not hear you] He will rather leave you to continue under the heavy yoke of such a king, as a just punishment for your not hearkening to all that is now laid before you by His merciful order, in order to prevent your subjecting yourselves to this heavy yoke. Dr. Wells.
1 Samuel 8:20
- That we also may be like all the nations.] Blinded by a strange infatuation, they did not see that it was their singular happiness to be in this respect unlike to other nations; and that God, who was their peculiar Governour, never failed to raise up, in time of need, men of wonderful merit to be their deliverers. It was their vainglorious humour which made them think they were inferiour to other nations, unless they saw a prince set over them, shining in gold and jewels, living in a sumptuous palace, and attended with the pomp and state of numerous guards. Bp. Patrick. The establishment of the kingly form of government in Judea forms a distinguished era in the history of the chosen people. This change had been provided for in the Divine economy, having been foretold in the prophetick declaration of Moses, delivered to the assembled nation shortly before his death, Deut. xvii. 14, in such a manner as supplies a striking proof of the authenticity of the Pentateuch. It was not however established till four hundred years after the prediction was delivered. But the lateness of the introduction of the kingly government supplies in itself considerable evidence of the Before CHRIST about 1095. summits. Samuel yieldeth to the people. Saul sent to seek his father’s asses. Before CHRIST about 1695.
1 Samuel 8:22
22.—Hearken unto their voice, &c.] We perceive from this history, that God may yield to our importunities, and satisfy our longings, when He is not pleased with our requests. We must therefore not consider every thing we obtain as a mark of the Divine favour, but must reflect with what mind we have solicited for it, and what steps we have taken in the pursuit of it. If we are as headstrong and violent as these Israelites, we may possibly prevail; but it would have been far better for us, if we had not prevailed, and if we had calmly awaited the Divine dispensations. Reading.
The king which God consented to give the Israelites was only His viceroy or deputy; and on that account he was not left to the people’s election, but was chosen by Himself: the only difference between God’s appointment of the judges and of Saul being this, that they were stirred up by internal influence, he chosen by outward designation. Bp. Warburton. When the Israelites persisted in asking a king, God ordered Samuel to set one over them; but first warned them by him of