Israel Demands Human King in 1 Samuel
The demand for a human king by the Israelites, as recorded in 1 Samuel 8, marked a significant turning point in their history, transitioning from a theocracy to a monarchy [9, 10]. This request arose during Samuel's old age, when his sons, whom he had appointed as judges, proved corrupt [6, 8]. The elders of Israel approached Samuel, stating, "Now appoint a king for us to judge us like all the other nations" [1 Samuel 8:5].
This desire for a king was not merely a practical response to the corruption of Samuel's sons but also reflected a deeper rejection of God's direct rule over them [5, 12]. The people wanted to be "like all the other nations," desiring a visible leader to go out before them and fight their battles [5, 9]. God viewed this request as a rejection of Him as their king [5, 12]. Despite Samuel's warnings about the burdens and oppressions that a human king would impose—such as conscription, taxation, and seizure of property—the people insisted on having a king [6, 1 Samuel 8:9-18].
Samuel, after presenting the people's words to the Lord, was instructed to "hearken unto their voice, and make them a king" [7, 11]. This divine command indicated that while the request was displeasing, God would grant it [7, 11]. The first king chosen was Saul, a Benjaminite, whose election involved singular providential circumstances [1, 4]. Saul was "asked for" by the people, and his name itself means "asked for" or "desired" [1, 4]. His anointing by Samuel marked the establishment of the earthly monarchy in Israel [10].
The establishment of the monarchy was not initially hereditary [5]. However, it later became hereditary in the family of David [5]. The laws concerning kingship stipulated that the king should not be a foreigner and outlined various regulations for their governance [5]. The period of Saul's reign is often divided into two phases: the establishment and vigorous development of his rule, followed by its decline and eventual overthrow [10]. The transition to monarchy, though initiated by the people's flawed desire, was ultimately guided by God's sovereign plan, leading to the eventual kingship of David and his descendants, including Solomon, who reigned over all Israel [2, 3].
Sources
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Saul — Asked for. (1.) A king of Edom (Gen. 36:37, 38); called Shaul in 1 Chr. 1:48. (2.) The son of Kish (probably his only son, and a child of prayer, "asked for"), of the tribe of Benjamin, the first king of the Jewish nation. The singular providential circumstances connected with his election as king are recorded in 1 Sam. 8-10. His father's she-asses had strayed, and Saul was sent with a servant to seek for them. Leaving his home at Gibeah (10:5, "the hill of God," A.V.; lit., as in R.V. marg., "Gibeah of God"), Saul and his servant went toward the north-west ov”
- 1 Kings “King Solomon was king over all Israel. -- 1 Kings 4:1”
- I Kings “I Kings 4:1 (YLT) — And king Solomon is king over all Israel,”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Saul — (desired), more accurately Shaul. + One of the early kings of Edom, and successor of Samlah. (Genesis 36:37,38; 1 Chronicles 1:48) (B.C. after 1450.) + The first king of Israel, the son of Kish, and of the tribe of Benjamin. (B.C, 1095-1055.) His character is in part illustrated by the fierce, wayward, fitful nature of the tribe and in part accounted for by the struggle between the old and new systems in which he found himself involved. To this we must add a taint of madness. which broke out in violent frenzy at times leaving him with long lucid intervals. He w”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Kings — Israel warned against seeking -- 1Sa 8:9-18. Sin of Israel in seeking -- 1Sa 12:17-20. Israel in seeking, rejected God as their king -- 1Sa 8:7; 10:19. Israel asked for, that they might be like the nations -- 1Sa 8:5,19,20. First given to Israel in anger -- Ho 13:11. God reserved to himself the choice of -- De 17:14,15; 1Sa 9:16,17; 16:12. When first established in Israel, not hereditary -- De 17:20; 1Sa 13:13,14; 15:28,29. Rendered hereditary in the family of David -- 2Sa 7:12-16; Ps 89:35-37. Of Israel not to be foreigners -- De 17:15. Laws for the governme”
- 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 (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 (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 1 Samuel 8:5: Make us a king - Hitherto, from the time in which they were a people, the Israelites were under a theocracy, they had no other king but God. Now they desire to have a king like the other nations around them, who may be their general in battle; for this is the point at which they principally aim.”
- 1 Samuel (Lutheran) “Keil & Delitzsch on 1 Samuel 8 (introduction): II. The Monarchy of Saul from His Election Till His Ultimate Rejection - 1 Samuel 8-15 The earthly monarchy in Israel was established in the time of Samuel, and through his mediation. At the pressing desire of the people, Samuel installed the Benjaminite Saul as king, according to the command of God. The reign of Saul may be divided into two essentially different periods: viz., (1) the establishment and vigorous development of his regal supremacy (1 Samuel 8-15); (2) the decline and gradual overthrow of his monarchy (1 Samuel 16-31). The establish”
- 1 Samuel (Lutheran) “Keil & Delitzsch on 1 Samuel 8:21: These words of the people were laid by Samuel before the Lord, and the Lord commanded him to give the people a king. With this answer Samuel sent the men of Israel, i.e., the elders, away. This is implied in the words, "Go ye every man unto his city," since we may easily supply from the context, "till I shall call you again, to appoint you the king you desire."”
- 1 Samuel (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Samuel 10:18: 10:18 rescued you . . . from all of the nations: Israel did not need a human king to rescue them; they needed God, but they had rejected him (10:19).”