1 Samuel 8
DortSamuel maketh his sons Judges over Israel, verse. 1, their names, 2, They are not sincere in administration of their office, 3 . Wherefore the people require a King. 4, This displeaseth Samuel, who presenteth the case unto the Lord , but he commandeth that he shall hearken to the people, 7. And that he shall present before them the hard and tyrannical government of Kings, 9. Which Samuel doth , 10, 11. But the people continue firm and sted fast in their former request, 19. God commandeth Samuel to consent to the peoples request, 22.
1. Now it came to pass, when Samuel was grown old, that he made his sons Judges over Israel. [Understand this so, that notwithstanding he himself yet continued to be the Supreme Judge, or Lord chief Justice, as the sequel doth demonstrate.]
2. Now the name of his first-born son was Joel [Oth. Vaschin, 1Chron 6.28. whose son was a chief singer , or singing master, Herman by name, 1 Chron 6.33] and the anme of his second was Abia, they were Judges at Berseba [i.e. having their habitation at Berseba, and there exercising the office of a judge.]
3. But his sons walked not in his ways, but they inclined themselves unto [Heb]. after, or toward] covetousness, and took bribes, and wrestled [otherwise, perverted] judgement.
4. Then all the Eldest of Israel gathered themselves, and they came unto Samuel at Rama;
5. And they said unto him, Behold, thou art grown old, [And therefore cannot travel thorough the lands and cities as thou hast done hitherto] and thy sons walk not in thy ways: therefore now constitute a King over us, to judge us, [i.e. almost all, for there were also some among the heathen nations that had no Kings , but Princes, or Rulers]
6. But this word was evil in the eyes of Samuel, [For it pertained onely to God, to constitute or appoint such a form of government over his people, as pleased him: But it became not the people to do this out of pride, ambition, or diffidence, or other respects, without asking counsel of the Lord: see ver.7.] when they said, Give us a King, to judge us: and Samuel prayed unto the LORD.[to know how he should behave himself in this matter, and whether he should consent unto the peoples request, or not]
7. But the Lord said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of this people in all that they shall say unto thee: [This is the Lord said in anger, as Hoseaswitnesseth, chap.13.11.] for they have not rejected thee, [i.e. not thee onely: for they also rejected Samuel, as may appear also verse 8. See the like phrase, Gen32.28.] but they have rejected me, [partly because they would acknowledge me no longer to be their onely King, but would have another to be under, or with me: see below, chap12.12& 19. Partly, because they did not leave it to my divine providence what form of government was best suitable for them] that I shall not be King over them, [Heb. From reigning over them.]
8. According to all the works, which they have done: from that day when I led them out of Egypt unto this day, and have forsaken me, and served other gods: so do they also thee.
9. Now therefore hearken unto their voice: yet when thou shalt in the highest (degree) have protested unto them, [Heb, Protesting, shall have protested] then shalt thou shew them the way of the King [Or, manner, as above chap.2.13. also below chap.27.11, I King 17.33, 34,40&c. That is, how the King that shall reign over them, shall entreat them: how Kings commonly use to deal with their subjects. The word Mischphat doth not here signify right: for if Kings might do all this that here followeth, then Achab sinned not, when he took away Naboths land by violence. Note this also on verse. 11. God giveth unto Kings another right then here is mentioned, Deut.13. 15 Samuel did afterward relate and describe the true rights of the Kings 1 Sam 10.26.] that shall reign over them.
10. Now Samuel told all the words of the LORD unto the people, that asked a King of him.
11. And said, this shall be the way of the King, that shall reign over you: he shall take [viz. violently] your sons, that he may appoint them for himself for his charets, and for his horsemen, that they run along before his charet.
12. And that he may appoint them Chieftains of thousands, and Chieftains of fifties: and that they may plow his field, [Heb. properly his plowing] and that they may harvest his harvest, and that they may make his warlike weapons, and also the instruments of his charets.
13. And he will take your daughters for Apothecaries, and for Kitchen-maids, [Heb. she-slayers] and for she-bakers.
14. And he will take your fields, and your vineyards and your olive - yards, which are the best, and give them unto his servants [Meaning Counsellors, Officers, & c, not such servants as did servile works, as verse 16,17]
15. And he will take tenth of your seed, [Heb of your seeds: that is, all your feed] and of your vineyards, and he will give them unto his Courtiours, [See the signification of this word in the annotat. on Gen 27.v.36.] and unto his servants.
16. And he will take your men-servants, and your maid-servants, and your best young-men, and your asses, and he will do his work with them.
17. He will take tenth of your flock, and ye shall be his servants.
18. Ye shall indeed cry (out) in that day, because of your King, whom you shall have chosen you: but the LORD will not hear you in that day.
19. But the people refused to hear the voice of Samuel: and they said, Nay, but there shall be a King over us [As if they would say, your exhortation or admonition, shall not make us change our mind and purpose.]
20. And we also shall be like all the Nations: and our King shall judge us, and he shall go out before our faces, and he shall mange our wars.
21. When Samuel had heard all the words of the people, then he uttered the same before the ears of the LORD.
22. Now the LORD said unto Samuel, Hearken unto their voice, and appoint them a King: then said Samuel unto the men of Israel, Go your ways, every one unto his city. [As if he had said, Depart hence for this time, I will take it into further consideration, and enquire of God, whom he will appoint to be your King.]