Exposition of 1 Samuel 8:3 in Context of King Request
First Samuel 8:3 states, "But his sons walked not in his ways, but turned aside after lucre, and took bribes, and perverted judgment" (KJV). This verse describes the corrupt behavior of Samuel's sons, Joel and Abiah, whom he had appointed as judges in Beersheba [5, 7, 11].
This passage is crucial to understanding Israel's subsequent demand for a king. Samuel, having served as judge over Israel for many years, was growing old [5, 7, 11]. In his advancing age, he appointed his sons to assist him in his judicial duties [7, 11]. However, unlike their father, Joel and Abiah did not follow Samuel's righteous example. Instead, they were motivated by dishonest gain, accepting bribes and distorting justice [1]. This corruption among Samuel's sons became the immediate catalyst for the elders of Israel to approach Samuel with a request for a king [5, 7, 11].
The people's demand for a king was not merely a response to the corruption of Samuel's sons, but also reflected a deeper desire to be "like all the nations" [9]. This request displeased Samuel, who perceived it as a rejection of his leadership [2, 3, 4]. When Samuel brought the matter before the Lord, God affirmed Samuel's perception, stating that the people had not rejected Samuel, but rather had rejected God Himself from being their king [9]. The Lord instructed Samuel to warn the people about the consequences of having a king, detailing the burdens and oppressions they would face under a monarchy [6, 10, 11]. Despite these warnings, the people insisted on having a king [11]. Ultimately, God conceded to their demand, instructing Samuel to appoint a king for them [8, 12].
The narrative in 1 Samuel 8 thus highlights a pivotal moment in Israelite history, transitioning from a period of judges to the establishment of a monarchy. The corruption of Samuel's sons served as the proximate cause for this change, but the underlying issue was Israel's desire to conform to surrounding nations rather than to trust in God's direct rule [9].
Sources
- Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “1 Samuel 8:3 cross-references: Exodus 18:21, Exodus 23:6, Exodus 23:8, Deuteronomy 16:19, 2 Samuel 15:4, 1 Kings 12:6, 2 Kings 21:1, Psalms 15:5, Psalms 26:10, Ecclesiastes 2:19, Isaiah 1:23, Isaiah 33:15, Jeremiah 22:15, Jeremiah 22:17, Micah 3:11, 1 Timothy 3:3, 1 Timothy 6:10”
- King James Version “[KJV] 1 Kings 8:6 — But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to judge us. And Samuel prayed unto the LORD.”
- 1 Samuel “1 Samuel 8:6 (NASB) — But the thing was displeasing in the sight of Samuel when they said, "Give us a king to judge us." And Samuel prayed to the LORD.”
- I Samuel “I Samuel 8:6 (BSB) — But when they said, “Give us a king to judge us,” their demand was displeasing in the sight of Samuel; so he prayed to the LORD.”
- 1 Samuel (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on 1 Samuel 8 (introduction): Things went so very well with Israel, in the chapter before, under Samuel's administration, that, methinks, it is a pity to find him so quickly, as we do in this chapter, old, and going off, and things working towards a revolution. But so it is; Israel's good days seldom continue long. We have here, I. Samuel decaying (Sa1 8:1). II. His sons degenerating (Sa1 8:2, Sa1 8:3). III. Israel discontented with the present government and anxious to see a change. For 1. They petition Samuel to set a king over them (Sa1 8:4, Sa1 8:5). 2. Samuel brings the matt”
- 1 Samuel (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Samuel 8:10: And Samuel told all the words of the Lord unto them,.... How he considered this request of theirs as a rejection of him as their king, and that it was acting the same ungrateful part they had always done; and since they were so importunate to have it granted, it should be done; but that he was ordered to lay before them all the inconveniences that would attend it, and the evils that would follow upon it unto them: that asked of him a king; which is observed, not to distinguish a part of them from the rest; for this was an united request of the people.”
- 1 Samuel (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Samuel 8 (introduction): OCCASIONED BY THE ILL-GOVERNMENT OF SAMUEL'S SONS, THE ISRAELITES ASK A KING. (1Sa. 8:1-18) when Samuel was old--He was now about fifty-four years of age, having discharged the office of sole judge for twelve years. Unable, from growing infirmities, to prosecute his circuit journeys through the country, he at length confined his magisterial duties to Ramah and its neighborhood (Sa1 7:15), delegating to his sons as his deputies the administration of justice in the southern districts of Palestine, their provincial court being held at Beer-”
- 1 Samuel (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Samuel 8:22: And the Lord said to Samuel,.... an audible voice, or by an impulse upon his mind: hearken unto their voice, and make them a king; since they will have a king, let them have one, and let them know that they shall have one: and Samuel said unto the men of Israel: the elders of the people that addressed him on this occasion, Sa1 8:4. go ye every man unto his city; signifying they might return in peace, and be assured their request would be granted, and a king would be appointed in a short time, and which they might report to their fellow citizens; and they might”
- 1 Samuel (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Samuel 8:8: 8:8 followed other gods: The people’s request for a king was tantamount to idolatry. Israel’s monarchy was a divine concession rather than a divine gift. Kingship or any other human institution becomes idolatrous when it replaces trust in God.”
- 1 Samuel (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Samuel 8 (introduction): INTRODUCTION TO FIRST SAMUEL 8 This chapter relates, how that Samuel being old, and his sons behaving ill, the people desired to have a king set over them, Sa1 8:1, which case Samuel laid before the Lord, and he was directed by him to yield to the people's desire, but at the same time to set before them all the disadvantages and ill consequences that would arise from thence, which he did, Sa1 8:6, but they insisting upon it, nevertheless, he gave them reason to expect that their request would be granted, Sa1 8:19.”
- 1 Samuel (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 1 Samuel 8 (introduction): Samuel, grown old, makes his sons judges in Beer-sheba, Sa1 8:1, Sa1 8:2. They pervert judgment; and the people complain, and desire a king, Sa1 8:3-5. Samuel is displeased, and inquires of the Lord, Sa1 8:6. The Lord is also displeased; but directs Samuel to appoint them a king, and to show them solemnly the consequences of their choice, Sa1 8:7-9. Samuel does so; and shows them what they may expect from an absolute monarch, and how afflicted they should be under his administration, Sa1 8:10-18. The people refuse to recede from their demand; and Samue”
- 1 Samuel (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Samuel 12:13: 12:13 Even though the Israelites’ request amounted to a rejection of God as king, the Lord . . . granted it (see study notes on 8:7 and 8:8).”