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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 8:9 Now listen to them, but you must solemnly warn them and show them the manner of the king who will reign over them."</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/1_samuel/8-9.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/19/09_1Sa_08_09.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="1 Samuel 8:9 - Israel Demands a King" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Now listen to them, but you must solemnly warn them and show them the manner of the king who will reign over them." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; 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but warn them solemnly and let them know what the king who will reign over them will claim as his rights.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/1_samuel/8.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Do as they ask, but solemnly warn them about the way a king will reign over them.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/1_samuel/8.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Now then, obey their voice; only you shall solemnly warn them and show them the ways of the king who shall reign over them.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/1_samuel/8.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now listen to their voice; but you must solemnly warn them and show them the manner of the king who will reign over them.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/1_samuel/8.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Now therefore hearken unto their voice: howbeit yet protest solemnly unto them, and shew them the manner of the king that shall reign over them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/1_samuel/8.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Now therefore, heed their voice. However, you shall solemnly forewarn them, and show them the behavior of the king who will reign over them.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/1_samuel/8.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now then, listen to their voice; however, you shall warn them strongly and tell them of the practice of the king who will reign over them.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/1_samuel/8.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220Now then, listen to their voice; however, you shall solemnly warn them and tell them of the procedure of the king who will reign over them.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/1_samuel/8.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“Now then, listen to their voice; however, you shall solemnly warn them and tell them of the procedure of the king who will reign over them.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/1_samuel/8.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />So now, listen to their voice; however, you shall solemnly testify to them and tell them of the custom of the king who will reign over them.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/1_samuel/8.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />So now listen to their voice; only solemnly warn them and tell them the ways of the king who will reign over them.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/1_samuel/8.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Listen to them, but solemnly warn them and tell them about the customary rights of the king who will reign over them.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/1_samuel/8.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Listen to them, but you must solemnly warn them and tell them about the rights of the king who will rule over them.&#8221 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/1_samuel/8.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Now therefore hearken unto their voice: howbeit thou shalt protest solemnly unto them, and shalt show them the manner of the king that shall reign over them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/1_samuel/8.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Do everything they ask, but warn them and tell them how a king will treat them. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/1_samuel/8.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Now therefore hearken unto their voice: howbeit thou shalt protest solemnly unto them, and shalt shew them the manner of the king that shall reign over them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/1_samuel/8.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Listen to them now, but be sure to warn them and tell them about the rights of a king."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/1_samuel/8.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />So then, listen to them, but give them strict warnings and explain how their kings will treat them." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/1_samuel/8.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Now, listen to them, but you are to clearly warn them and inform them about how the king who rules over them will operate." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/1_samuel/8.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now listen to their voice; but you must solemnly warn them and show them the manner of the king who will reign over them.?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/1_samuel/8.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />So now do as they say. But seriously warn them and make them aware of the policies of the king who will rule over them." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/1_samuel/8.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Now therefore listen to their voice: however you shall protest solemnly to them, and shall show them the way of the king who shall reign over them."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/1_samuel/8.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Now therefore hearken to their voice: yet protest solemnly to them, and show them the manner of the king that will reign over them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/1_samuel/8.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Now therefore, listen to their voice. However, you shall protest solemnly to them, and shall show them the way of the king who will reign over them.” <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 now, listen to their voice; only, surely you certainly protest to them, and have declared to them the custom of the king who reigns over them.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/1_samuel/8.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And now, hearken to their voice; only, surely thou dost certainly protest to them, and hast declared to them the custom of the king who doth reign over them.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/1_samuel/8.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And now hear to their voice: but protesting, thou shalt protest to them, and announce to them the judgment of the king who shall reign over them.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/1_samuel/8.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Now therefore hearken to their voice: but yet testify to them, and foretell them the right of the king, that shall reign over them. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/1_samuel/8.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Now therefore, hear their voice. Yet truly, testify to them and foretell to them the rights of the king who will reign over them.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/1_samuel/8.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Now listen to them; but at the same time, give them a solemn warning and inform them of the rights of the king who will rule them. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/1_samuel/8.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Now then, listen to their voice; only—you shall solemnly warn them, and show them the ways of the king who shall reign over them.”<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/1_samuel/8.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Now therefore hearken to their voice; but testify solemnly to them, and show them the law of the king who shall reign over them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/1_samuel/8.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And now listen to their voice, however, certainly testify to them and show them the law of the King who will reign over them”<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/1_samuel/8.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Now therefore hearken unto their voice; howbeit thou shalt earnestly forewarn them, and shalt declare unto them the manner of the king that shall reign over them.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/1_samuel/8.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And now hearken to their voice; only thou shalt solemnly testify to them, and thou shalt describe to them the manner of the king who shall reign over them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/1_samuel/8-9.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=1894" 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">8</span>Just as they have done from the day I brought them up out of Egypt until this day, forsaking Me and serving other gods, so they are doing to you. <span class="reftext">9</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/6258.htm" title="6258: wə·‘at·tāh (Conj-w:: Adv) -- Now. From eth; at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive.">Now</a> <a href="/hebrew/8085.htm" title="8085: šə·ma‘ (V-Qal-Imp-ms) -- To hear. A primitive root; to hear intelligently.">listen to them,</a> <a href="/hebrew/6963.htm" title="6963: bə·qō·w·lām (Prep-b:: N-msc:: 3mp) -- Sound, voice. Or qol; from an unused root meaning to call aloud; a voice or sound."></a> <a href="/hebrew/389.htm" title="389: ’aḵ (Adv) -- Surely, howbeit. Akin to 'aken; a particle of affirmation, surely; hence only.">but</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî- (Conj) -- That, for, when. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/5749.htm" title="5749: hā·‘êḏ (V-Hifil-InfAbs) -- A primitive root; to duplicate or repeat; by implication, to protest, testify; intensively, to encompass, restore.">you must solemnly warn</a> <a href="/hebrew/5749.htm" title="5749: tā·‘îḏ (V-Hifil-Imperf-2ms) -- A primitive root; to duplicate or repeat; by implication, to protest, testify; intensively, to encompass, restore."></a> <a href="/hebrew/bā·hem (Prep:: 3mp) -- ">them</a> <a href="/hebrew/5046.htm" title="5046: wə·hig·gaḏ·tā (Conj-w:: V-Hifil-ConjPerf-2ms) -- To be conspicuous. ">and show</a> <a href="/hebrew/lā·hem (Prep:: 3mp) -- ">them</a> <a href="/hebrew/4941.htm" title="4941: miš·paṭ (N-msc) -- Judgment. ">the manner</a> <a href="/hebrew/4428.htm" title="4428: ham·me·leḵ (Art:: N-ms) -- King. From malak; a king.">of the king</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.">who</a> <a href="/hebrew/4427.htm" title="4427: yim·lōḵ (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- A primitive root; to reign; inceptively, to ascend the throne; causatively, to induct into royalty; hence to take counsel.">will reign</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘ă·lê·hem (Prep:: 3mp) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">over them.”</a> </span><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/8-23.htm">Judges 8:23</a></span><br />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/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/12-12.htm">1 Samuel 12:12-17</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. / Now here is the king you have chosen, the one you requested. Behold, the LORD has placed a king over you. / If you fear the LORD and serve Him and obey His voice, and if you do not rebel against the command of the LORD, and if both you and the king who rules over you follow the LORD your God, then all will be well. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/8-7.htm">1 Kings 8:7-9</a></span><br />For the cherubim spread their wings over the place of the ark and overshadowed the ark and its poles. / The poles extended far enough that their ends were visible from the Holy Place in front of the inner sanctuary, but not from outside the Holy Place; and they are there to this day. / There was nothing in the ark except the two stone tablets that Moses had placed in it at Horeb, where the LORD had made a covenant with the Israelites after they had come out of the land of Egypt.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/17-13.htm">2 Kings 17:13-15</a></span><br />Yet through all His prophets and seers, the LORD warned Israel and Judah, saying, “Turn from your wicked ways and keep My commandments and statutes, according to the entire Law that I commanded your fathers and delivered to you through My servants the prophets.” / But they would not listen, and they stiffened their necks like their fathers, who did not believe the LORD their God. / They rejected His statutes and the covenant He had made with their fathers, as well as the decrees He had given them. They pursued worthless idols and became worthless themselves, going after the surrounding nations that the LORD had commanded them not to imitate.<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/7-23.htm">Jeremiah 7:23-24</a></span><br />but this is what I commanded them: Obey Me, and I will be your God, and you will be My people. You must walk in all the ways I have commanded you, so that it may go well with you. / Yet they did not listen or incline their ear, but they followed the stubborn inclinations of their own evil hearts. They went backward and not forward.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/20-18.htm">Ezekiel 20:18-19</a></span><br />In the wilderness I said to their children: ‘Do not walk in the statutes of your fathers or keep their ordinances or defile yourselves with their idols. / I am the LORD your God; walk in My statutes, keep My ordinances, and practice them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/20-25.htm">Matthew 20:25-28</a></span><br />But Jesus called them aside and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their superiors exercise authority over them. / It shall not be this way among you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, / and whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave— ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/10-42.htm">Mark 10:42-45</a></span><br />So Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their superiors exercise authority over them. / But it shall not be this way among you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, / and whoever wants to be first must be the slave of all. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/22-25.htm">Luke 22:25-27</a></span><br />So Jesus declared, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those in authority over them call themselves benefactors. / But you shall not be like them. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who leads like the one who serves. / For who is greater, the one who reclines at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines? But I am among you as one who serves.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/19-15.htm">John 19:15</a></span><br />At this, they shouted, “Away with Him! Away with Him! Crucify Him!” “Shall I crucify your King?” Pilate asked. “We have no king but Caesar,” replied the chief priests.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/13-21.htm">Acts 13:21-22</a></span><br />Then the people asked for a king, and God gave them Saul son of Kish, from the tribe of Benjamin, who ruled forty years. / After removing Saul, He raised up David as their king and testified about him: ‘I have found David son of Jesse a man after My own heart; he will carry out My will in its entirety.’</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Now therefore listen to their voice: however, yet protest solemnly to them, and show them the manner of the king that shall reign over them.</p><p class="hdg">hearken unto.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezekiel/3-18.htm">Ezekiel 3:18</a></b></br> When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked <i>man</i> shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand.</p><p class="hdg">the manner</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/8-11.htm">1 Samuel 8:11-18</a></b></br> And he said, This will be the manner of the king that shall reign over you: He will take your sons, and appoint <i>them</i> for himself, for his chariots, and <i>to be</i> his horsemen; and <i>some</i> shall run before his chariots… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/2-13.htm">1 Samuel 2:13</a></b></br> And the priests' custom with the people <i>was, that</i>, when any man offered sacrifice, the priest's servant came, while the flesh was in seething, with a fleshhook of three teeth in his hand;</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/10-25.htm">1 Samuel 10:25</a></b></br> Then Samuel told the people the manner of the kingdom, and wrote <i>it</i> in a book, and laid <i>it</i> up before the LORD. And Samuel sent all the people away, every man to his house.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_samuel/2-13.htm">Custom</a> <a href="/1_samuel/6-2.htm">Declare</a> <a href="/1_samuel/3-13.htm">Declared</a> <a href="/1_samuel/8-7.htm">Ear</a> <a href="/numbers/22-37.htm">Earnestly</a> <a href="/1_samuel/8-7.htm">Hearken</a> <a href="/ruth/3-12.htm">Howbeit</a> <a href="/1_samuel/8-3.htm">However</a> <a href="/1_samuel/4-8.htm">Manner</a> <a href="/exodus/20-4.htm">Picture</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/8-6.htm">Procedure</a> <a href="/leviticus/19-17.htm">Protest</a> <a href="/1_samuel/8-7.htm">Reign</a> <a href="/ruth/1-20.htm">Ruler</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/15-21.htm">Serious</a> <a href="/1_samuel/6-2.htm">Show</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/32-46.htm">Solemnly</a> <a href="/1_samuel/4-8.htm">Sort</a> <a href="/1_samuel/6-3.htm">Surely</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/32-46.htm">Testify</a> <a href="/1_samuel/8-7.htm">Voice</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/8-19.htm">Warn</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_samuel/8-11.htm">Custom</a> <a href="/1_samuel/9-18.htm">Declare</a> <a href="/1_samuel/9-8.htm">Declared</a> <a href="/1_samuel/8-12.htm">Ear</a> <a href="/1_samuel/20-6.htm">Earnestly</a> <a href="/1_samuel/8-19.htm">Hearken</a> <a href="/2_samuel/2-23.htm">Howbeit</a> <a href="/1_samuel/21-4.htm">However</a> <a href="/1_samuel/8-11.htm">Manner</a> <a href="/ezekiel/4-1.htm">Picture</a> <a href="/1_samuel/8-11.htm">Procedure</a> <a href="/1_kings/2-42.htm">Protest</a> <a href="/1_samuel/8-11.htm">Reign</a> <a href="/1_samuel/8-11.htm">Ruler</a> <a href="/1_samuel/26-21.htm">Serious</a> <a href="/1_samuel/9-6.htm">Show</a> <a href="/jeremiah/11-7.htm">Solemnly</a> <a href="/1_samuel/8-11.htm">Sort</a> <a href="/1_samuel/9-6.htm">Surely</a> <a href="/1_kings/21-10.htm">Testify</a> <a href="/1_samuel/8-19.htm">Voice</a> <a href="/2_kings/6-10.htm">Warn</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>Now listen to their voice;</b><br>In this context, God is instructing Samuel to heed the request of the Israelites. The people of Israel are demanding a king to lead them, similar to other nations. This marks a significant shift from the theocratic leadership under judges to a monarchy. Listening to their voice indicates God's willingness to allow human free will, even when it diverges from His ideal plan. This moment reflects the tension between divine sovereignty and human agency, a theme that runs throughout Scripture, such as in <a href="/genesis/3.htm">Genesis 3</a> with Adam and Eve's choice.<p><b>but you must solemnly warn them</b><br>God commands Samuel to provide a serious warning to the Israelites about the implications of having a king. This warning is not just a casual caution but a grave admonition. The role of a prophet often included delivering messages that were difficult to hear, as seen with prophets like Jeremiah and Ezekiel. The warning serves as a reminder of the consequences of rejecting God's direct rule, echoing the warnings given in <a href="/deuteronomy/17-14.htm">Deuteronomy 17:14-20</a> about the potential pitfalls of a monarchy.<p><b>and show them the manner of the king who will reign over them.”</b><br>Samuel is to describe the nature and behavior of the king they desire. This includes the potential for oppression, heavy taxation, and conscription, as detailed in the verses that follow (<a href="/1_samuel/8-11.htm">1 Samuel 8:11-18</a>). The description serves as a prophetic insight into the future reigns of kings like Saul and Solomon, who would indeed impose burdens on the people. This phrase also foreshadows the ultimate King, Jesus Christ, who contrasts earthly kings by serving rather than being served (<a href="/mark/10-45.htm">Mark 10:45</a>). The request for a king is a rejection of God as their king, yet it sets the stage for the coming of the true King, who fulfills the law and the prophets.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/s/samuel.htm">Samuel</a></b><br>The last judge of Israel, a prophet, and a leader who was instrumental in transitioning Israel from a theocracy to a monarchy.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/i/israelites.htm">Israelites</a></b><br>The people of Israel who demanded a king to rule over them, desiring to be like other nations.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a></b><br>The sovereign Lord who had been the King of Israel, guiding and protecting them through judges and prophets.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/s/saul.htm">Saul</a></b><br>The first king of Israel, whose reign was a direct result of the people's demand for a monarchy.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/r/ramah.htm">Ramah</a></b><br>The place where Samuel lived and where he received God's instructions regarding the people's request for a king.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_danger_of_conformity.htm">The Danger of Conformity</a></b><br>The Israelites' desire to be like other nations led them away from God's unique plan for them. As believers, we must be cautious of conforming to worldly standards at the expense of our distinct calling.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_leadership.htm">The Role of Leadership</a></b><br>God allows human leadership but with clear guidelines and warnings. Leaders should be chosen and followed with discernment, understanding the responsibilities and potential pitfalls of authority.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_and_human_choice.htm">God's Sovereignty and Human Choice</a></b><br>While God respects human choices, He also provides warnings and consequences. Our decisions should be made with an awareness of God's sovereignty and wisdom.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_heeding_warnings.htm">The Importance of Heeding Warnings</a></b><br>Samuel was instructed to warn the people solemnly. In our lives, we should heed the warnings given through Scripture, leaders, and the Holy Spirit.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/trusting_god's_plan.htm">Trusting God's Plan</a></b><br>Despite the Israelites' demand for a king, God's ultimate plan was not thwarted. We can trust that God's purposes will prevail, even when human choices seem to deviate from His ideal.<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/how_did_samuel_lead_and_anoint_kings.htm">How did Samuel lead Israel and anoint its first kings?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/bible_books'_order.htm">What is the order of the Bible's books?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_1_sam_9_15-17_conflict_with_other_texts.htm">Does 1 Samuel 9:15-17, describing God's direct revelation to Samuel about Saul, conflict with other biblical texts suggesting a more gradual or indirect selection of leaders?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/proof_of_amalek's_erasure.htm">Deuteronomy 25:17-19: Where is the archaeological or historical proof of Amalek's complete destruction and erasure from memory?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/1_samuel/8-9.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">Now</span><br /><span class="heb">וְעַתָּ֖ה</span> <span class="translit">(wə·‘at·tāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | 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">listen to them,</span><br /><span class="heb">שְׁמַ֣ע</span> <span class="translit">(šə·ma‘)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8085.htm">Strong's 8085: </a> </span><span class="str2">To hear intelligently</span><br /><br /><span class="word">but</span><br /><span class="heb">אַ֗ךְ</span> <span class="translit">(’aḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_389.htm">Strong's 389: </a> </span><span class="str2">A particle of affirmation, surely</span><br /><br /><span class="word">you must solemnly warn</span><br /><span class="heb">הָעֵ֤ד</span> <span class="translit">(hā·‘êḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Infinitive absolute<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5749.htm">Strong's 5749: </a> </span><span class="str2">To duplicate, repeat, to protest, testify, to encompass, restore</span><br /><br /><span class="word">them</span><br /><span class="heb">בָּהֶ֔ם</span> <span class="translit">(bā·hem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/.htm">Strong's Hebrew</a> </span><span class="str2"></span><br /><br /><span class="word">and show</span><br /><span class="heb">וְהִגַּדְתָּ֣</span> <span class="translit">(wə·hig·gaḏ·tā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5046.htm">Strong's 5046: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be conspicuous</span><br /><br /><span class="word">them</span><br /><span class="heb">לָהֶ֔ם</span> <span class="translit">(lā·hem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/.htm">Strong's Hebrew</a> </span><span class="str2"></span><br /><br /><span class="word">the manner</span><br /><span class="heb">מִשְׁפַּ֣ט</span> <span class="translit">(miš·paṭ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4941.htm">Strong's 4941: </a> </span><span class="str2">A verdict, a sentence, formal decree, divine law, penalty, justice, privilege, style</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of the king</span><br /><span class="heb">הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ</span> <span class="translit">(ham·me·leḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | 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">who</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲשֶׁ֥ר</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·šer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - relative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_834.htm">Strong's 834: </a> </span><span class="str2">Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that</span><br /><br /><span class="word">will reign</span><br /><span class="heb">יִמְלֹ֖ךְ</span> <span class="translit">(yim·lōḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4427.htm">Strong's 4427: </a> </span><span class="str2">To reign, inceptively, to ascend the throne, to induct into royalty, to take counsel</span><br /><br /><span class="word">over them.”</span><br /><span class="heb">עֲלֵיהֶֽם׃</span> <span class="translit">(‘ă·lê·hem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> </span><span class="str2">Above, over, upon, against</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/1_samuel/8-9.htm">1 Samuel 8:9 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/1_samuel/8-9.htm">1 Samuel 8:9 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/1_samuel/8-9.htm">1 Samuel 8:9 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/1_samuel/8-9.htm">1 Samuel 8:9 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/1_samuel/8-9.htm">1 Samuel 8:9 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/1_samuel/8-9.htm">1 Samuel 8:9 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/1_samuel/8-9.htm">1 Samuel 8:9 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/1_samuel/8-9.htm">1 Samuel 8:9 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/1_samuel/8-9.htm">1 Samuel 8:9 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/1_samuel/8-9.htm">1 Samuel 8:9 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/1_samuel/8-9.htm">OT History: 1 Samuel 8:9 Now therefore listen to their voice: however (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/1_samuel/8-8.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="1 Samuel 8:8"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="1 Samuel 8:8" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/1_samuel/8-10.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="1 Samuel 8:10"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="1 Samuel 8:10" /></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>