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1 Samuel 8:5

Authority and leadershipTemptation

3 And his sons walked not in his ways, but turned aside after lucre, and took bribes, and perverted judgment.

4 Then all the elders of Israel gathered themselves together, and came to Samuel unto Ramah,

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.

6 But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to judge us. And Samuel prayed unto the LORD.

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.

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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
“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.”
KJV
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.
WEB
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.”
ASV
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.
DARBY
and said to him, Behold, thou art become old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways: now appoint us a king to judge us, like all the nations.
BLB
and they said to him, “Behold, you are old, and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now appoint to us a king to judge us like all the nations.”
ÅB
Og de sa til ham: Nå er du blitt gammel, og dine sønner vandrer ikke på dine veier; så sett nå en konge over oss til å dømme oss, som alle folkene har!
OTB
De sa til ham: "Du er gammel, og dine sønner følger ikke dine veier. Sett en konge til å styre over oss, slik som alle de andre folkene har."
B1930
Og de sa til ham: Nu er du blitt gammel, og dine sønner vandrer ikke på dine veier; så sett nu en konge over oss til å dømme oss, som alle folkene har!

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Deuteronomy 17:14–15

    When thou art come unto the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, and shalt possess it, and shalt dwell therein, and shalt say, I will set a king over me, like as all the nations that are about me;

    Read in context

  • 1 Samuel 8:19–20

    Nevertheless the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel; and they said, Nay; but we will have a king over us;

    Read in context

  • 1 Samuel 8:6–8

    But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to judge us. And Samuel prayed unto the LORD.

    Read in context

  • Hosea 13:10–11

    I will be thy king: where is any other that may save thee in all thy cities? and thy judges of whom thou saidst, Give me a king and princes?

    Read in context

  • Numbers 23:9

    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.

    Read in context

  • 1 Samuel 12:17

    Is it 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 is great, which ye have done in the sight of the LORD, in asking you a king.

    Read in context

  • Acts 13:21

    And afterward they desired a king: and God gave unto them Saul the son of Cis, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, by the space of forty years.

    Read in context