CINXE.COM

<!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 8:4 So all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/1_samuel/8-4.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/13/09_1Sa_08_04.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="1 Samuel 8:4 - Israel Demands a King" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="So all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah." /><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'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/1_samuel/8-4.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/1_samuel/8-4.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/1_samuel/">1 Samuel</a> > <a href="/1_samuel/8.htm">Chapter 8</a> > Verse 4</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad4.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/1_samuel/8-3.htm" title="1 Samuel 8:3">◄</a> 1 Samuel 8:4 <a href="/1_samuel/8-5.htm" title="1 Samuel 8:5">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/1_samuel/8.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/1_samuel/8.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />So all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/1_samuel/8.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Finally, all the elders of Israel met at Ramah to discuss the matter with Samuel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/1_samuel/8.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Then all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/1_samuel/8.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />So all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/1_samuel/8.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Then all the elders of Israel gathered themselves together, and came to Samuel unto Ramah,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/1_samuel/8.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Then all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/1_samuel/8.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/1_samuel/8.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Then all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/1_samuel/8.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Then all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/1_samuel/8.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Then all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/1_samuel/8.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Then all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/1_samuel/8.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />So all the elders of Israel gathered together and went to Samuel at Ramah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/1_samuel/8.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />So all the elders of Israel gathered together and went to Samuel at Ramah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/1_samuel/8.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Then all the elders of Israel gathered themselves together, and came to Samuel unto Ramah;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/1_samuel/8.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />One day the nation's leaders came to Samuel at Ramah <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/1_samuel/8.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Then all the elders of Israel gathered themselves together, and came to Samuel unto Ramah:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/1_samuel/8.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Then all the leaders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/1_samuel/8.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Then all the leaders of Israel met together, went to Samuel in Ramah, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/1_samuel/8.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />All the elders of Israel gathered together, and came to Samuel at Ramah. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/1_samuel/8.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />So all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/1_samuel/8.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />So all the elders of Israel gathered together and approached Samuel at Ramah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/1_samuel/8.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Then all the elders of Israel gathered themselves together, and came to Samuel to Ramah;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/1_samuel/8.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Then all the elders of Israel assembled, and came to Samuel to Ramah,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/1_samuel/8.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Then all the elders of Israel gathered themselves together and came to Samuel to Ramah. <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 all [the] elderly of Israel gather themselves together, and come to Samuel at Ramath,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/1_samuel/8.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And all the elders of Israel gather themselves together, and come in unto Samuel to Ramath,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/1_samuel/8.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And all the old men of Israel will gather together and will come to Samuel to Ramah;<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/1_samuel/8.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Then all the ancients of Israel being assembled, came to Samuel to Ramatha. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/1_samuel/8.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Therefore, all those greater by birth of Israel, having gathered together, went to Samuel at Ramah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/1_samuel/8.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Therefore all the elders of Israel assembled and went to Samuel at Ramah<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/1_samuel/8.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Then all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah,<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/1_samuel/8.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Then all the elders of Israel gathered themselves together and came to Samuel to Ramtha,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/1_samuel/8.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And all the Elders of the children of Israel assembled, and they came to Shemueil at Ramtha<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/1_samuel/8.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Then all the elders of Israel gathered themselves together, and came to Samuel unto Ramah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/1_samuel/8.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And the men of Israel gather themselves together, and come to Armathaim to Samuel,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/1_samuel/8-4.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=1844" 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">3</span>But his sons did not walk in his ways; they turned aside toward dishonest gain, accepting bribes and perverting justice. <span class="reftext">4</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: kōl (N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">So all</a> <a href="/hebrew/2205.htm" title="2205: ziq·nê (Adj-mpc) -- Old. From zaqen; old.">the elders</a> <a href="/hebrew/3478.htm" title="3478: yiś·rā·’êl (N-proper-ms) -- From sarah and 'el; he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also of his posterity.">of Israel</a> <a href="/hebrew/6908.htm" title="6908: way·yiṯ·qab·bə·ṣū (Conj-w:: V-Hitpael-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To gather, collect. A primitive root; to grasp, i.e. Collect.">gathered together</a> <a href="/hebrew/935.htm" title="935: way·yā·ḇō·’ū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To come in, come, go in, go. A primitive root; to go or come.">and came</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. ">to</a> <a href="/hebrew/8050.htm" title="8050: šə·mū·’êl (N-proper-ms) -- Name of God, a prophet of Isr. From the passive participle of shama' and 'el; heard of God; Shemuel, the name of three Israelites.">Samuel</a> <a href="/hebrew/7414.htm" title="7414: hā·rā·mā·ṯāh (Art:: N-proper-fs:: 3fs) -- Height, the name of several places in Isr. The same as ramah; Ramah, the name of four places in Palestine.">at Ramah.</a> </span><span class="reftext">5</span>“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.”…<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/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_samuel/12-19.htm">1 Samuel 12:19</a></span><br />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/12-1.htm">1 Samuel 12:1-5</a></span><br />Then Samuel said to all Israel, “I have listened to your voice in all that you have said to me, and I have set over you a king. / Now here is the king walking before you, and I am old and gray, and my sons are here with you. I have walked before you from my youth until this day. / Here I am. Bear witness against me before the LORD and before His anointed: Whose ox or donkey have I taken? Whom have I cheated or oppressed? From whose hand have I accepted a bribe and closed my eyes? Tell me, and I will restore it to 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/9-1.htm">1 Samuel 9:1-2</a></span><br />Now there was a Benjamite, a powerful man, whose name was Kish son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Becorath, the son of Aphiah of Benjamin. / And he had a son named Saul, choice and handsome, without equal among the Israelites—a head taller than any of the people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/10-1.htm">1 Samuel 10:1</a></span><br />Then Samuel took a flask of oil, poured it on Saul’s head, kissed him, and said, “Has not the LORD anointed you ruler over His inheritance?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/11-14.htm">1 Samuel 11:14-15</a></span><br />Then Samuel said to the people, “Come, let us go to Gilgal and renew the kingship there.” / So all the people went to Gilgal and confirmed Saul as king in the presence of the LORD. There they sacrificed peace offerings before the LORD, and Saul and all the Israelites rejoiced greatly.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/15-1.htm">1 Samuel 15:1-3</a></span><br />Then Samuel said to Saul, “The LORD sent me to anoint you king over His people Israel. Now therefore, listen to the words of the LORD. / This is what the LORD of Hosts says: ‘I witnessed what the Amalekites did to the Israelites when they opposed them on their way up from Egypt. / Now go and attack the Amalekites and devote to destruction all that belongs to them. Do not spare them, but put to death men and women, children and infants, oxen and sheep, camels and donkeys.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/16-1.htm">1 Samuel 16:1</a></span><br />Now the LORD said to Samuel, “How long are you going to mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and go. I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem, for I have selected from his sons a king for Myself.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/16-12.htm">1 Samuel 16:12-13</a></span><br />So Jesse sent for his youngest son and brought him in. He was ruddy, with beautiful eyes and a handsome appearance. And the LORD said, “Rise and anoint him, for he is the one.” / So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and the Spirit of the LORD rushed upon David from that day forward. Then Samuel set out and went to Ramah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/19-1.htm">1 Samuel 19:1</a></span><br />Then Saul ordered his son Jonathan and all his servants to kill David. But Jonathan delighted greatly in David,</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Then all the elders of Israel gathered themselves together, and came to Samuel to Ramah,</p><p class="hdg">the elders</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/3-16.htm">Exodus 3:16</a></b></br> Go, and gather the elders of Israel together, and say unto them, The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, appeared unto me, saying, I have surely visited you, and <i>seen</i> that which is done to you in Egypt:</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/24-1.htm">Exodus 24:1</a></b></br> And he said unto Moses, Come up unto the LORD, thou, and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel; and worship ye afar off.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_samuel/5-3.htm">2 Samuel 5:3</a></b></br> So all the elders of Israel came to the king to Hebron; and king David made a league with them in Hebron before the LORD: and they anointed David king over Israel.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_samuel/7-7.htm">Assembled</a> <a href="/1_samuel/4-3.htm">Elders</a> <a href="/1_samuel/8-1.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/1_samuel/7-17.htm">Ramah</a> <a href="/1_samuel/7-17.htm">Ramath</a> <a href="/ruth/4-9.htm">Responsible</a> <a href="/1_samuel/8-1.htm">Samuel</a> <a href="/1_samuel/4-2.htm">Themselves</a> <a href="/1_samuel/7-7.htm">Together</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_samuel/13-5.htm">Assembled</a> <a href="/1_samuel/11-3.htm">Elders</a> <a href="/1_samuel/8-22.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/1_samuel/15-34.htm">Ramah</a> <a href="/1_samuel/15-34.htm">Ramath</a> <a href="/1_samuel/11-3.htm">Responsible</a> <a href="/1_samuel/8-6.htm">Samuel</a> <a href="/1_samuel/11-4.htm">Themselves</a> <a href="/1_samuel/10-17.htm">Together</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>So all the elders of Israel gathered together</b><br>The elders of Israel were the leaders and representatives of the various tribes. Their gathering signifies a unified decision among the tribes, highlighting the gravity of their request. In the ancient Near Eastern context, elders held significant authority and were often involved in decision-making processes. This gathering reflects a collective concern about leadership and governance, as the elders sought a change in the political structure of Israel. The unity among the elders underscores the widespread desire for a monarchy, which was a common form of government among neighboring nations.<p><b>and came to Samuel</b><br>Samuel was the last of the judges and a prophet, serving as a pivotal figure in Israel's transition from a theocracy to a monarchy. His role as a judge and prophet made him a key intermediary between God and the people. The elders approaching Samuel indicates their recognition of his spiritual authority and leadership. Samuel's life and ministry are significant in the biblical narrative, as he anointed the first two kings of Israel, Saul and David. His role as a prophet is crucial, as he conveys God's will to the people, and his response to the elders' request would shape the future of Israel.<p><b>at Ramah</b><br>Ramah was Samuel's hometown and served as his base of operations. It is located in the hill country of Ephraim, north of Jerusalem. Archaeological evidence suggests that Ramah was a significant settlement during the time of Samuel. The choice of Ramah as the meeting place indicates its importance as a center of leadership and governance. In biblical history, Ramah is associated with several key events, including Samuel's birth and his establishment of a school of prophets. The location also holds prophetic significance, as it is mentioned in the context of Rachel's weeping in <a href="/jeremiah/31-15.htm">Jeremiah 31:15</a>, which is later referenced in the New Testament in <a href="/matthew/2-18.htm">Matthew 2:18</a>.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/e/elders_of_israel.htm">Elders of Israel</a></b><br>These were the leaders or representatives of the various tribes of Israel. They held significant authority and were responsible for making important decisions on behalf of the people.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/s/samuel.htm">Samuel</a></b><br>A prophet and judge over Israel, Samuel was a pivotal figure in the transition from the period of judges to the establishment of the monarchy. He was known for his faithfulness to God and his leadership.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/r/ramah.htm">Ramah</a></b><br>This was Samuel's hometown and a central location for his ministry. It served as a place where people would come to seek his counsel and judgment.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/g/gathering_of_the_elders.htm">Gathering of the Elders</a></b><br>This event marks a significant turning point in Israel's history, as the elders approached Samuel to request a king to rule over them, like other nations.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/r/request_for_a_king.htm">Request for a King</a></b><br>The elders' request for a king was a pivotal moment that led to the anointing of Saul as the first king of Israel, marking the beginning of the monarchy.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/d/desire_for_conformity.htm">Desire for Conformity</a></b><br>The elders' request for a king was driven by a desire to be like other nations. This reflects a common human tendency to conform to worldly standards rather than seeking God's unique plan for His people.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/l/leadership_and_god's_sovereignty.htm">Leadership and God's Sovereignty</a></b><br>While human leadership is important, it should always be sought under God's guidance and sovereignty. The Israelites' request for a king was a rejection of God's direct rule through judges.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/consequences_of_rejecting_god's_plan.htm">Consequences of Rejecting God’s Plan</a></b><br>The request for a king led to significant changes in Israel's history, some of which were detrimental. This serves as a reminder of the importance of aligning our desires with God's will.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/role_of_spiritual_leaders.htm">Role of Spiritual Leaders</a></b><br>Samuel's role as a prophet and judge highlights the importance of spiritual leadership that is grounded in faithfulness to God. Leaders should seek God's wisdom in guiding their people.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/seeking_god's_guidance.htm">Seeking God’s Guidance</a></b><br>In times of decision-making, it is crucial to seek God's guidance rather than relying solely on human wisdom or societal norms.<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/is_1_samuel_8_an_edited_text.htm">Could 1 Samuel 8 reflect later editorial influences rather than an authentic historical event?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_defines_christian_nationalism.htm">What is the significance of Ramah in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_laws_should_govern_kings.htm">What laws should govern the actions of kings?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what's_ramah's_role_in_the_bible.htm">What is the significance of Ramah in the Bible?</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>(4) <span class= "bld">All the elders of Israel.</span>--We have here a clear trace of a popular assembly which seems in all times to have existed in Israel. Such a body appears to have met for deliberation even during the Egyptian captivity (see <a href="/exodus/3-16.htm" title="Go, and gather the elders of Israel together, and say to them, The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, appeared to me, saying, I have surely visited you, and seen that which is done to you in Egypt:">Exodus 3:16</a>). Of this popular council we know little beyond the fact of its existence. It seems to have been composed of representatives of the people, qualified by birth or office; these were known as "elders." Ewald sees special allusions to the "Parliament" or Assembly of Elders in Psalms 1. and 82. There are, however, various mentions of these councils in the Books of Samuel, Kings, Jeremiah, and Isaiah.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/1_samuel/8.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verses 4, 5.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">The elders of Israel.</span> Here, as elsewhere (<a href="/1_samuel/15-30.htm">1 Samuel 15:30</a>:<a href="/2_samuel/5-3.htm">2 Samuel 5:3</a>; <a href="/1_kings/8-3.htm">1 Kings 8:3</a>, etc.), we have traces of a popular assembly, representing the Israelite nation, and composed probably of the chiefs and heads of fathers houses. Already in Egypt (<a href="/exodus/3-16.htm">Exodus 3:16</a>, etc.) we find stone such body in existence, and it seems to have lasted throughout the whole history of the nation; for it outlived the monarchy, gained increased power after the exile, and continued down to New Testament times. The demand, therefore, for a king, though a sort of revolt against Samuel's authority, was at least made in a constitutional manner, and came before him with all the weight of a formal decision on the part of the representatives of the nation. They put it also in the form of a request, for which they give two reasons. First, the decay of his physical powers - <span class="cmt_word">Behold, thou art old.</span> Wise and vigorous as his rule had been, yet with increasing years there was less of energy; and the events recorded as having occurred at the beginning of Saul's reign show, that in order to check the increasing power of the Philistines, a leader was needed who was at once daring, resolute, and skilful in war. But there was a further reason - <span class="cmt_word">Thy sons walk not in thy ways</span>. These words show that the elders had the most perfect confidence in Samuel. They felt that he would not connive at the wickedness of his sons, but would do what was right by the nation. Thus they had everything to hope from the father's justice, while if they waited till his death the sons might resist what was virtually their deposition. That the sons of a judge possessed considerable power see <a href="/judges/9-2.htm">Judges 9:2</a>. <span class="cmt_word">Make us a king to judge us like all the nations.</span> <span class="accented">I.e.</span> just as all the heathen nations have a king. The words are those of <a href="/deuteronomy/17-14.htm">Deuteronomy 17:14</a>, and were probably intended to remind Samuel that the nation was only asking what had virtually been promised. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/1_samuel/8-4.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">So all</span><br /><span class="heb">כֹּ֖ל</span> <span class="translit">(kōl)</span><br /><span class="parse">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 elders</span><br /><span class="heb">זִקְנֵ֣י</span> <span class="translit">(ziq·nê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2205.htm">Strong's 2205: </a> </span><span class="str2">Old</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of Israel</span><br /><span class="heb">יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל</span> <span class="translit">(yiś·rā·’êl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3478.htm">Strong's 3478: </a> </span><span class="str2">Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc</span><br /><br /><span class="word">gathered together</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיִּֽתְקַבְּצ֔וּ</span> <span class="translit">(way·yiṯ·qab·bə·ṣū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hitpael - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6908.htm">Strong's 6908: </a> </span><span class="str2">To gather, collect</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and came</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיָּבֹ֥אוּ</span> <span class="translit">(way·yā·ḇō·’ū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_935.htm">Strong's 935: </a> </span><span class="str2">To come in, come, go in, go</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶל־</span> <span class="translit">(’el-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> </span><span class="str2">Near, with, among, to</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Samuel</span><br /><span class="heb">שְׁמוּאֵ֖ל</span> <span class="translit">(šə·mū·’êl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8050.htm">Strong's 8050: </a> </span><span class="str2">Samuel -- 'name of God', a prophet of Israel</span><br /><br /><span class="word">at Ramah.</span><br /><span class="heb">הָרָמָֽתָה׃</span> <span class="translit">(hā·rā·mā·ṯāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - proper - feminine singular | third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7414.htm">Strong's 7414: </a> </span><span class="str2">Ramah -- 'height', the name of several places in Israel</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/1_samuel/8-4.htm">1 Samuel 8:4 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/1_samuel/8-4.htm">1 Samuel 8:4 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/1_samuel/8-4.htm">1 Samuel 8:4 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/1_samuel/8-4.htm">1 Samuel 8:4 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/1_samuel/8-4.htm">1 Samuel 8:4 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/1_samuel/8-4.htm">1 Samuel 8:4 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/1_samuel/8-4.htm">1 Samuel 8:4 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/1_samuel/8-4.htm">1 Samuel 8:4 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/1_samuel/8-4.htm">1 Samuel 8:4 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/1_samuel/8-4.htm">1 Samuel 8:4 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/1_samuel/8-4.htm">OT History: 1 Samuel 8:4 Then all the elders of Israel gathered (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/1_samuel/8-3.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="1 Samuel 8:3"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="1 Samuel 8:3" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/1_samuel/8-5.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="1 Samuel 8:5"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="1 Samuel 8:5" /></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>