ESV Global Study Bible :: Footnotes for 1 Samuel 8

1 Sam 8:1–22 Transition to the Monarchy. Chapter 8 is a turning point in OT history, marking Israel’s transition from judgeship to kingship. Until now the people had depended on the Lord to raise up judges to lead them as needed, but now they want a monarchy. Samuel’s sons were causing problems, but instead of rejecting these hereditary judges and demanding that better judges be appointed, the people ask for a hereditary kingship. As threats from their enemies resumed (v. 20; 9:16; 10:5; 12:12), they may have felt the need for stronger and more permanent leadership. But the text suggests that they simply wanted to have their own king, “like all the nations” around them. In doing so, they were rejecting the Lord as their true king (8:7).

1 Sam 8:1 he made his sons judges. Samuel himself may have contributed to the problem (see note on vv. 1–22) by appointing his sons as judges. There had not been hereditary judges before; Gideon had rejected the idea (Judg. 8:22–23).

1 Sam 8:2 Beersheba was the extreme south of Israel in traditional descriptions (see 3:20).

1 Sam 8:3 turned aside after gain . . . took bribes and perverted justice. Such self-serving practices by leaders are criticized repeatedly in the Bible.

1 Sam 8:4–5 appoint for us a king . . . like all the nations. Samuel had appointed judges. The elders, recognizing his authority, ask for a king. They want to exchange their unique position as the people of the incomparable God (2:2) to be “like all the nations.” The law had given permission to appoint a king, but it was not a requirement (Deut. 17:14–20).

1 Sam 8:6 the thing displeased Samuel. Literally, “the thing was evil in Samuel’s eyes.” It was more than just a personal sense of rejection.

1 Sam 8:9–18 The Lord told Samuel to solemnly warn the people about the ways of the king, since they so desperately wanted their own king. Some of the things Samuel warned about were the normal cost of running a large central government, but others were clearly abuses of power (see note on vv. 14–15).

1 Sam 8:11 Having men run before his chariots was a status symbol. Both Absalom and Adonijah had a chariot, horses, horsemen, and 50 runners to run before them (2 Sam. 15:1; 1 Kings 1:5).

1 Sam 8:12–13 The commanders of thousands and commanders of fifties were probably permanent officers over soldiers forced to serve. The king will also force people to make weapons, prepare his food, and provide him with luxuries (perfumers and cooks and bakers).

1 Sam 8:14–15 the best of your fields and vineyards and olive orchards. Rather than serving the people without seeking self-enrichment (as Samuel did, 12:3–5), the king would use his power to “take” the best for himself and those around him (8:11–15). Servants refers to high-ranking officials.

1 Sam 8:17 you shall be his slaves. The Israelites and all their possessions would be subject to the king’s use. Forced labor (see 1 Kings 5:13–16) would probably be the most objectionable form of this “slavery.”

1 Sam 8:19–21 “We,” “us,” and “our” appear frequently in this short speech. The king’s functions are (1) to give influence and status like all the nations; (2) to judge us (2 Sam. 15:2–4; 1 Kings 3:16–28; Psalm 72); and (3) to go out before us and fight our battles—that is, be a war leader (e.g., 1 Sam. 14:47–48).

1 Sam 8:22 make them a king. The Lord grants the people’s demands, even though it means that they have rejected him (v. 7). By raising up David’s dynasty, God will bring good out of Israel’s sinful desire for a king.