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1 Samuel 8:20

Identity and self-worth

18 When that day comes, you will beg for relief from the king you have chosen, but the LORD will not answer you on that day.”

19 Nevertheless, the people refused to listen to Samuel. “No!” they said. “We must have a king over us.

Then we will be like all the other nations, with a king to judge us, to go out before us, and to fight our battles.”

21 Samuel listened to all the words of the people and repeated them in the hearing of the LORD.

22 “Listen to their voice,” the LORD said to Samuel. “Appoint a king for them.” Then Samuel told the men of Israel, “Everyone must go back to his city.”

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Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
Then we will be like all the other nations, with a king to judge us, to go out before us, and to fight our battles.”
KJV
That we also may be like all the nations; and that our king may judge us, and go out before us, and fight our battles.
WEB
that we also may be like all the nations; and that our king may judge us, and go out before us, and fight our battles.”
ASV
that we also may be like all the nations, and that our king may judge us, and go out before us, and fight our battles.
DARBY
that we also may be like all the nations; and our king shall judge us, and go out before us, and conduct our wars.
BLB
that we also may be like all the nations, that our king may judge us and go out before us and fight our battles.”
ÅB
Vi vil være som alle de andre folk; vår konge skal dømme oss, og han skal dra ut foran oss og føre våre kriger.
OTB
Da vil vi være som alle de andre folkene, med en konge til å lede oss og gå foran oss og kjempe våre kamper."
B1930
Vi vil være som alle de andre folk; vår konge skal dømme oss, og han skal dra ut foran oss og føre våre kriger.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • 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.”

    Read in context

  • Exodus 33:16

    For how then can it be known that Your people and I have found favor in Your sight, unless You go with us? How else will we be distinguished from all the other people on the face of the earth?”

    Read in context

  • Psalms 106:35

    but they mingled with the nations and adopted their customs.

    Read in context

  • Leviticus 20:24–26

    But I have told you that you will inherit their land, since I will give it to you as an inheritance—a land flowing with milk and honey. I am the LORD your God, who has set you apart from the peoples.

    Read in context

  • Deuteronomy 7:6

    For you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for His prized possession out of all peoples on the face of the earth.

    Read in context

  • John 15:19

    If you were of the world, it would love you as its own. Instead, the world hates you, because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world.

    Read in context

  • Philippians 3:20

    But our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,

    Read in context

  • 1 Peter 2:9

    But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.

    Read in context