Bible Chapter Summary
1 Samuel 8 Summary
Israel Demands a King
When Samuel grows old, he makes his sons judges over Israel, but they do not walk in his ways; they turn aside after bribes and pervert justice. The elders of Israel come to Samuel at Ramah and ask him to make them a king to judge them like all the nations, saying his sons have not followed his ways. Samuel prays, and the Lord tells him the people have not rejected him but have rejected God, that He should not reign over them. God instructs Samuel to warn the people of the manner of the king that shall reign over them—he will take their sons, daughters, fields, vineyards, servants, and flocks, and they shall become his servants. Yet the people refuse to listen and insist they will have a king over them.
Key themes
Key verses
1 Samuel 8:5
“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.”
1 Samuel 8:7
“And the LORD said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them.”
1 Samuel 8:11-17
“And he said, This will be the manner of the king that shall reign over you: He will take your sons, and appoint them for himself, for his chariots, and to be his horsemen; and some shall run before his chariots.”
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