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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>1 Samuel 8:5 "Look," they said, "you are old, and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now appoint a king to judge us like all the other nations."</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/1_samuel/8-5.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/15/09_1Sa_08_05.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="1 Samuel 8:5 - Israel Demands a King" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Look, they said, you are old, and your sons do not walk in your ways. 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Give us a king to judge us like all the other nations have.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/1_samuel/8.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />and said to him, “Behold, you are old and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now appoint for us a king to judge us like all the nations.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/1_samuel/8.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Look,” they said, “you are old, and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now appoint a king to judge us like all the other nations.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/1_samuel/8.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And said unto him, Behold, thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways: now make us a king to judge us like all the nations.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/1_samuel/8.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />and said to him, “Look, you are old, and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now make us a king to judge us like all the nations.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/1_samuel/8.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />and they said to him, “Behold, you have grown old, and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now appoint us a king to judge us like all the nations.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/1_samuel/8.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />and they said to him, &#8220Behold, you have grown old, and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now appoint a king for us to judge us like all the nations.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/1_samuel/8.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />and they said to him, “Behold, you have grown old, and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now appoint a king for us to judge us like all the nations.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/1_samuel/8.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />and they said to him, “Behold, you have grown old, and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now appoint a king for us to judge us like all the nations.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/1_samuel/8.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />and said to him, “Look, you have grown old, and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now appoint us a king to judge us [and rule over us] like all the other nations.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/1_samuel/8.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />They said to him, “Look, you are old, and your sons do not walk in your ways. Therefore, appoint a king to judge us the same as all the other nations have.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/1_samuel/8.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />They said to him, &#8220Look, you are old, and your sons do not follow your example. Therefore, appoint a king to judge us the same as all the other nations have.&#8221 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/1_samuel/8.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />and they said unto him, Behold, thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways: now make us a king to judge us like all the nations.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/1_samuel/8.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />and said, "You are an old man. You set a good example for your sons, but they haven't followed it. Now we want a king to be our leader, just like all the other nations. Choose one for us!" <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/1_samuel/8.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />and they said unto him, Behold, thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways: now make us a king to judge us like all the nations.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/1_samuel/8.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />They told him, "You're old, and your sons aren't following your example. Now appoint a king to judge us so that we will be like all the other nations."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/1_samuel/8.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />and said to him, "Look, you are getting old and your sons don't follow your example. So then, appoint a king to rule over us, so that we will have a king, as other countries have." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/1_samuel/8.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />They told him, "Look, you're old, and your sons don't follow your example. So appoint a king to govern us like all the other nations." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/1_samuel/8.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />?Look,? they said, ?you are old, and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now appoint a king to judge us like all the other nations.?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/1_samuel/8.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />They said to him, "Look, you are old, and your sons don't follow your ways. So now appoint over us a king to lead us, just like all the other nations have." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/1_samuel/8.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />and they said to him, "Look, you are old, and your sons do not walk in your ways: now make us a king to judge us like all the nations."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/1_samuel/8.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And said to him, Behold, thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways: now make us a king to judge us like all the nations.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/1_samuel/8.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />They said to him, “Behold, you are old, and your sons don’t walk in your ways. Now make us a king to judge us like all the nations.” <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/1_samuel/8.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />and say to him, “Behold, you have become aged, and your sons have not walked in your ways; now, appoint a king to us, to judge us, like all the nations.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/1_samuel/8.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and say unto him, 'Lo, thou hast become aged, and thy sons have not walked in thy ways; now, appoint to us a king, to judge us, like all the nations.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/1_samuel/8.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And they will say to him, Behold, thou wert old, and thy sons went not in thy ways: now set up for us a king to judge us as all the nations.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/1_samuel/8.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And they said to him: Behold thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways: make us a king, to judge us, as all nations have. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/1_samuel/8.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And they said to him: “Behold, you are elderly, and your sons do not walk in your ways. Appoint for us a king, so that he may judge us, just as all the nations have.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/1_samuel/8.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />and said to him, “Now that you are old, and your sons do not follow your example, appoint a king over us, like all the nations, to rule us.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/1_samuel/8.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />and said to him, “You are old and your sons do not follow in your ways; appoint for us, then, a king to govern us, like other nations.”<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/1_samuel/8.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And they said to him, Behold, you are old, and your sons do not walk in your ways; now give us a king to judge us like all the nations.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/1_samuel/8.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And they said to him: “Behold, you are old, and your sons do not walk in your ways; now give us a King, that he would judge us like all the nations!”<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/1_samuel/8.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And they said unto him: 'Behold, thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways; now make us a king to judge us like all the nations.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/1_samuel/8.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />and they said to him, Behold, thou art grown old, and thy sons walk not in thy way; and now set over us a king to judge us, as also the other nations <i>have</i>.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/1_samuel/8-5.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/H8oQfYUMRZg?start=1849" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/1_samuel/8.htm">Israel Demands a King</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">4</span>So all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah. <span class="reftext">5</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/2009.htm" title="2009: hin·nêh (Interjection) -- Lo! behold! Prolongation for hen; lo!">“Look,”</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mə·rū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">they said,</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’ê·lāw (Prep:: 3ms) -- To, into, towards. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/859.htm" title="859: ’at·tāh (Pro-2ms) -- You (masc. sing.). ">“you</a> <a href="/hebrew/2204.htm" title="2204: zā·qan·tā (V-Qal-Perf-2ms) -- To be or become old. A primitive root; to be old.">are old,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: ū·ḇā·ne·ḵā (Conj-w:: N-mpc:: 2ms) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">and your sons</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">do not</a> <a href="/hebrew/1980.htm" title="1980: hā·lə·ḵū (V-Qal-Perf-3cp) -- To go, come, walk. Akin to yalak; a primitive root; to walk.">walk</a> <a href="/hebrew/1870.htm" title="1870: biḏ·rā·ḵe·ḵā (Prep-b:: N-cpc:: 2ms) -- Way, road, distance, journey, manner. From darak; a road; figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb.">in your ways.</a> <a href="/hebrew/6258.htm" title="6258: ‘at·tāh (Adv) -- Now. From eth; at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive.">Now</a> <a href="/hebrew/7760.htm" title="7760: śî·māh- (V-Qal-Imp-ms:: 3fs) -- To put, place, set. Or siym; a primitive root; to put.">appoint</a> <a href="/hebrew/lā·nū (Prep:: 1cp) -- "></a> <a href="/hebrew/4428.htm" title="4428: me·leḵ (N-ms) -- King. From malak; a king.">a king</a> <a href="/hebrew/8199.htm" title="8199: lə·šā·p̄ə·ṭê·nū (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf:: 1cp) -- To judge, govern. ">to judge us</a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: kə·ḵāl- (Prep-k:: N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">like all</a> <a href="/hebrew/1471.htm" title="1471: hag·gō·w·yim (Art:: N-mp) -- Rarely goy; apparently from the same root as gevah; a foreign nation; hence, a Gentile; also a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts.">the other nations.”</a> </span><span class="reftext">6</span>But when they said, “Give us a king to judge us,” their demand was displeasing in the sight of Samuel; so he prayed to the LORD.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/17-14.htm">Deuteronomy 17:14-20</a></span><br />When you enter the land that the LORD your God is giving you and have taken possession of it and settled in it, and you say, “Let us set a king over us like all the nations around us,” / you are to appoint over yourselves the king whom the LORD your God shall choose. Appoint a king from among your brothers; you are not to set over yourselves a foreigner who is not one of your brothers. / But the king must not acquire many horses for himself or send the people back to Egypt to acquire more horses, for the LORD has said, ‘You are never to go back that way again.’ ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/13-10.htm">Hosea 13:10-11</a></span><br />Where is your king now to save you in all your cities, and the rulers to whom you said, “Give me a king and princes”? / So in My anger I gave you a king, and in My wrath I took him away.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/judges/8-22.htm">Judges 8:22-23</a></span><br />Then the Israelites said to Gideon, “Rule over us—you and your son and grandson—for you have saved us from the hand of Midian.” / But Gideon replied, “I will not rule over you, nor will my son. The LORD shall rule over you.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/12-12.htm">1 Samuel 12:12</a></span><br />But when you saw that Nahash king of the Ammonites was moving against you, you said to me, ‘No, we must have a king to rule over us’—even though the LORD your God was your king.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/10-19.htm">1 Samuel 10:19</a></span><br />But today you have rejected your God, who saves you from all your troubles and afflictions, and you have said to Him, ‘No, set a king over us.’ Now therefore present yourselves before the LORD by your tribes and clans.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/12-17.htm">1 Samuel 12:17-19</a></span><br />Is it not the wheat harvest today? I will call on the LORD to send thunder and rain, so that you will know and see what a great evil you have committed in the sight of the LORD by asking for a king.” / So Samuel called to the LORD, and on that day the LORD sent thunder and rain. As a result, all the people greatly feared the LORD and Samuel. / They pleaded with Samuel, “Pray to the LORD your God for your servants so that we will not die! For we have added to all our sins the evil of asking for a king.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/10-24.htm">1 Samuel 10:24</a></span><br />Samuel said to all the people, “Do you see the one the LORD has chosen? There is no one like him among all the people.” And all the people shouted, “Long live the king!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/12-13.htm">1 Samuel 12:13</a></span><br />Now here is the king you have chosen, the one you requested. Behold, the LORD has placed a king over you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/7-15.htm">1 Samuel 7:15-17</a></span><br />So Samuel judged Israel all the days of his life. / Every year he would go on a circuit from Bethel to Gilgal to Mizpah, judging Israel in all these places. / Then he would return to Ramah because his home was there, and there he judged Israel and built an altar to the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/9-16.htm">1 Samuel 9:16-17</a></span><br />“At this time tomorrow I will send you a man from the land of Benjamin, and you are to anoint him ruler over My people Israel; he will save them from the hand of the Philistines. For I have looked upon My people, because their cry has come to Me.” / When Samuel saw Saul, the LORD told him, “Here is the man of whom I spoke; he shall rule over My people.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/8-20.htm">1 Kings 8:20</a></span><br />Now the LORD has fulfilled the word that He spoke. I have succeeded my father David, and I sit on the throne of Israel, as the LORD promised. I have built the house for the Name of the LORD, the God of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/17-21.htm">2 Kings 17:21</a></span><br />When the LORD had torn Israel away from the house of David, they made Jeroboam son of Nebat king, and Jeroboam led Israel away from following the LORD and caused them to commit a great sin.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/36-1.htm">2 Chronicles 36:1</a></span><br />Then the people of the land took Jehoahaz son of Josiah and made him king in Jerusalem in place of his father.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/3-4.htm">Isaiah 3:4-5</a></span><br />“I will make mere lads their leaders, and children will rule over them.” / The people will oppress one another, man against man, neighbor against neighbor; the young will rise up against the old, and the base against the honorable.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/2-13.htm">Jeremiah 2:13</a></span><br />“For My people have committed two evils: They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living water, and they have dug their own cisterns—broken cisterns that cannot hold water.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And said to him, Behold, you are old, and your sons walk not in your ways: now make us a king to judge us like all the nations.</p><p class="hdg">now make</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/8-6.htm">1 Samuel 8:6-8,19,20</a></b></br> But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to judge us. And Samuel prayed unto the LORD… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/12-17.htm">1 Samuel 12:17</a></b></br> <i>Is it</i> not wheat harvest to day? I will call unto the LORD, and he shall send thunder and rain; that ye may perceive and see that your wickedness <i>is</i> great, which ye have done in the sight of the LORD, in asking you a king.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/23-9.htm">Numbers 23:9</a></b></br> For from the top of the rocks I see him, and from the hills I behold him: lo, the people shall dwell alone, and shall not be reckoned among the nations.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_samuel/8-1.htm">Aged</a> <a href="/judges/18-31.htm">Appoint</a> <a href="/1_samuel/7-17.htm">Judge</a> <a href="/judges/5-12.htm">Lead</a> <a href="/judges/3-6.htm">Nations</a> <a href="/1_samuel/8-3.htm">Walk</a> <a href="/1_samuel/8-3.htm">Walked</a> <a href="/1_samuel/8-3.htm">Ways</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_samuel/17-12.htm">Aged</a> <a href="/1_samuel/8-11.htm">Appoint</a> <a href="/1_samuel/8-6.htm">Judge</a> <a href="/1_samuel/8-6.htm">Lead</a> <a href="/1_samuel/8-20.htm">Nations</a> <a href="/1_samuel/17-39.htm">Walk</a> <a href="/1_samuel/12-2.htm">Walked</a> <a href="/1_samuel/8-11.htm">Ways</a><div class="vheading2">1 Samuel 8</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/8-1.htm">By occasion of the ill government of Samuel's sons, the Israelites ask a king</a></span><br><span class="reftext">6. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/8-6.htm">Samuel praying in grief is comforted by God</a></span><br><span class="reftext">10. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/8-10.htm">He tells the manner of a king</a></span><br><span class="reftext">19. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/8-19.htm">God wills Samuel to yield unto the importunity of the people</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_samuel/8.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_samuel/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/1_samuel/8.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>“Look,” they said,</b><br>This phrase indicates the elders of Israel addressing Samuel with a sense of urgency and concern. The elders were the leaders and representatives of the tribes, often responsible for making important decisions. Their approach to Samuel shows respect but also a pressing need for change. This reflects a pivotal moment in Israel's history, where the leadership structure was about to shift from judges to a monarchy.<p><b>“you are old,</b><br>Samuel's age is significant here as it implies a transition period. In ancient cultures, age was associated with wisdom and experience, but it also meant that the time for new leadership was approaching. Samuel had been a faithful judge and prophet, but his advancing age raised concerns about the continuity of leadership and governance.<p><b>and your sons do not walk in your ways.</b><br>This highlights the failure of Samuel's sons, Joel and Abijah, who were appointed as judges but were corrupt, taking bribes and perverting justice (<a href="/1_samuel/8-3.htm">1 Samuel 8:3</a>). This mirrors the earlier situation with Eli and his sons, emphasizing a recurring issue of leadership failure in Israel. The moral decline of Samuel's sons contrasts with Samuel's own integrity and faithfulness, underscoring the need for a new form of leadership.<p><b>Now appoint a king</b><br>The request for a king marks a significant shift in Israel's governance. Up to this point, Israel was led by judges, who were seen as divinely appointed leaders. The desire for a king reflects a move towards a centralized and hereditary monarchy, similar to surrounding nations. This request was not just about governance but also about identity and security, as the Israelites sought stability and protection.<p><b>to judge us</b><br>The role of a king as a judge was to provide leadership, make legal decisions, and ensure justice. This request indicates a desire for a leader who would unify the nation and provide consistent governance. The term "judge" here connects to the role of the judges in Israel, but with the added authority and permanence of a king.<p><b>like all the other nations.”</b><br>This phrase reveals the Israelites' desire to conform to the political structures of neighboring nations. It reflects a tension between their unique identity as God's chosen people and the pressures to assimilate into the surrounding culture. This request was seen as a rejection of God's kingship over Israel, as noted in <a href="/1_samuel/8-7.htm">1 Samuel 8:7</a>. The desire to be "like all the other nations" foreshadows the challenges Israel would face in maintaining their distinct covenant relationship with God.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/s/samuel.htm">Samuel</a></b><br>A prophet and judge of Israel, Samuel was a pivotal figure in the transition from the period of judges to the establishment of the monarchy in Israel. He was known for his faithfulness to God and his leadership over Israel.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/i/israelites.htm">Israelites</a></b><br>The people of Israel, who were God's chosen people, are expressing their desire for a king to lead them, like the surrounding nations.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/s/samuel's_sons.htm">Samuel's Sons</a></b><br>Joel and Abijah, who were appointed as judges by Samuel, but they did not follow his righteous ways, leading to the people's dissatisfaction.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_request_for_a_king.htm">The Request for a King</a></b><br>This event marks a significant turning point in Israel's history, as the people demand a king to lead them, signifying a shift from theocratic to monarchical governance.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_nations.htm">The Nations</a></b><br>The surrounding nations of Israel, which had kings, influenced the Israelites' desire to have a similar form of leadership.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/d/desire_for_conformity.htm">Desire for Conformity</a></b><br>The Israelites' request for a king reflects a desire to conform to the world around them rather than trust in God's unique plan for them. Believers today must guard against the temptation to conform to worldly standards instead of following God's will.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/l/leadership_and_integrity.htm">Leadership and Integrity</a></b><br>The failure of Samuel's sons to walk in his ways underscores the importance of integrity in leadership. Christian leaders are called to live exemplary lives that reflect God's righteousness.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty.htm">God's Sovereignty</a></b><br>Despite the Israelites' demand for a king, God remains sovereign and works through their choices to fulfill His purposes. Believers can trust that God is in control, even when human decisions seem to deviate from His ideal plan.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/consequences_of_choices.htm">Consequences of Choices</a></b><br>The Israelites' request for a king had long-term consequences for their nation. This serves as a reminder that our choices have lasting impacts, and we should seek God's guidance in decision-making.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_1_samuel_8.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 1 Samuel 8</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/evidence_of_sudden_monarchy_shift_in_1_sam_8.htm">Is there any archaeological evidence supporting a sudden shift to monarchy in Israel during 1 Samuel 8’s timeframe? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_do_saul,_jonathan,_and_david_teach.htm">What lessons do Saul, Jonathan, and David's lives teach?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_did_israelites_request_a_king.htm">Why did Israelites request a king?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_1_sam_8_conflict_with_2_sam_7.htm">Why does 1 Samuel 8 conflict with later passages that seem to affirm kingship, such as 2 Samuel 7? </a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/1_samuel/8.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(5) <span class= "bld">And said unto him.</span>--They ground their request--which, however, they framed almost in the very terms used in the prophecy of the Law (<a href="/deuteronomy/17-14.htm" title="When you are come to the land which the LORD your God gives you, and shall possess it, and shall dwell therein, and shall say, I will set a king over me, like as all the nations that are about me;">Deuteronomy 17:14</a>)--upon two circumstances: first, the age of Samuel, and his consequent inability to act as their leader in those perpetual wars and forays with the surrounding hostile nations; secondly, the degeneracy of his sons, who, placed by their father in positions of great trust, naturally looked to succeed him in his high dignity. They felt that the cares and duties of government were too weighty for Samuel, now growing old; and the men who through their kinship to him would naturally succeed him were utterly unfit for his office. The prospect before them was, they felt, a gloomy one. The Philistine power, too, was becoming daily greater in the south.<p>But what confidence must this assembly of elders have reposed in their aged judge to have used such a plea--his own growing infirmity and the unworthiness of his own sons, whom he had himself appointed to high offices! The elders of the people knew Samuel, the man of God, would do what was right and just--would give them the wisest counsel, utterly regardless of any private interest or feeling. The result justified their perfect confidence.<p><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/1_samuel/8-5.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">“Look,”</span><br /><span class="heb">הִנֵּה֙</span> <span class="translit">(hin·nêh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interjection<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2009.htm">Strong's 2009: </a> </span><span class="str2">Lo! behold!</span><br /><br /><span class="word">they said,</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיֹּאמְר֣וּ</span> <span class="translit">(way·yō·mə·rū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“you</span><br /><span class="heb">אַתָּ֣ה</span> <span class="translit">(’at·tāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_859.htm">Strong's 859: </a> </span><span class="str2">Thou and thee, ye and you</span><br /><br /><span class="word">are old,</span><br /><span class="heb">זָקַ֔נְתָּ</span> <span class="translit">(zā·qan·tā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2204.htm">Strong's 2204: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be or become old</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and your sons</span><br /><span class="heb">וּבָנֶ֕יךָ</span> <span class="translit">(ū·ḇā·ne·ḵā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> </span><span class="str2">A son</span><br /><br /><span class="word">do not</span><br /><span class="heb">לֹ֥א</span> <span class="translit">(lō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">walk</span><br /><span class="heb">הָלְכ֖וּ</span> <span class="translit">(hā·lə·ḵū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1980.htm">Strong's 1980: </a> </span><span class="str2">To go, come, walk</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in your ways.</span><br /><span class="heb">בִּדְרָכֶ֑יךָ</span> <span class="translit">(biḏ·rā·ḵe·ḵā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - common plural construct | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1870.htm">Strong's 1870: </a> </span><span class="str2">A road, a course of life, mode of action</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Now</span><br /><span class="heb">עַתָּ֗ה</span> <span class="translit">(‘at·tāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6258.htm">Strong's 6258: </a> </span><span class="str2">At this time</span><br /><br /><span class="word">appoint</span><br /><span class="heb">שִֽׂימָה־</span> <span class="translit">(śî·māh-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular | third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7760.htm">Strong's 7760: </a> </span><span class="str2">Put -- to put, place, set</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a king</span><br /><span class="heb">מֶ֛לֶךְ</span> <span class="translit">(me·leḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4428.htm">Strong's 4428: </a> </span><span class="str2">A king</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to judge us</span><br /><span class="heb">לְשָׁפְטֵ֖נוּ</span> <span class="translit">(lə·šā·p̄ə·ṭê·nū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | first person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8199.htm">Strong's 8199: </a> </span><span class="str2">To judge, pronounce sentence, to vindicate, punish, to govern, to litigate</span><br /><br /><span class="word">like all</span><br /><span class="heb">כְּכָל־</span> <span class="translit">(kə·ḵāl-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-k | Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> </span><span class="str2">The whole, all, any, every</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the other nations.”</span><br /><span class="heb">הַגּוֹיִֽם׃</span> <span class="translit">(hag·gō·w·yim)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1471.htm">Strong's 1471: </a> </span><span class="str2">A foreign nation, a Gentile, a troop of animals, a flight of locusts</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/1_samuel/8-5.htm">1 Samuel 8:5 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/1_samuel/8-5.htm">1 Samuel 8:5 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/1_samuel/8-5.htm">1 Samuel 8:5 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/1_samuel/8-5.htm">1 Samuel 8:5 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/1_samuel/8-5.htm">1 Samuel 8:5 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/1_samuel/8-5.htm">1 Samuel 8:5 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/1_samuel/8-5.htm">1 Samuel 8:5 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/1_samuel/8-5.htm">1 Samuel 8:5 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/1_samuel/8-5.htm">1 Samuel 8:5 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/1_samuel/8-5.htm">1 Samuel 8:5 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/1_samuel/8-5.htm">OT History: 1 Samuel 8:5 And they said to him Behold you (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/1_samuel/8-4.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="1 Samuel 8:4"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="1 Samuel 8:4" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/1_samuel/8-6.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="1 Samuel 8:6"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="1 Samuel 8:6" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>