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1 Samuel 8:10–22
So Samuel told all the words of the Lord to the people who asked him for a king. And he said, “This will be the behavior of the king who will reign over you …” (vv. 10–11a).
Having been instructed by God to forewarn the people about the facts of life under a king, Samuel faithfully tells “all the words of the Lord to the people.” Presumably these words include God’s indictment of the people’s request for a king as nothing other than rebellion against Him. It is not clear whether the specific warnings Samuel then provides are directly from God or are based on his own knowledge. But no matter their origin, they paint an accurate and dreary picture of life under a monarchy such as other nations have.
Samuel warns the people that installing a king will cost them:
Their sons (vv. 11b–12), who the king will conscript to serve him as charioteers, horsemen, soldiers in his army, farmers on his lands, and craftsmen.
Their daughters (v. 13), who will be needed as perfumers, cooks, and bakers in the palace.
Their lands (v. 14), which the king will take to give to his servants.
Their produce (v. 15), of which the monarch will take a tenth to pay his servants.
Their slaves and livestock (vv. 16–17a).
Their freedom (v. 17b), for they will become the king’s servants.
These dire warnings fail to sway the people from their insistence on having a king, however. Matthew Henry finds this obstinacy amazing: “One would think such a representation of the consequences as this was, coming from God Himself, who can neither deceive by His word nor be deceived in His knowledge, should have prevailed with them to waive their request: but their hearts were upon it, right or wrong, good or evil…. They were quite deaf to reason and blind to their own interest.” Simply put, in the minds of the people, the value of being like other nations in having a strong figurehead leader exceeds any cost they will have to pay.
Undoubtedly weary and discouraged, Samuel goes to prayer once more to report to God the failure of his efforts to dissuade the people. Like them, God is similarly set on His course: He tells Samuel once again,
” ‘Heed their voice, and make them a king.’ ” So Samuel sends the people away to their hometowns until he can make the necessary preparations for the selection of Israel’s first monarch.
Coram Deo Living before the face of God
The Israelites were certain they would be happier under a human king, despite warnings to the contrary. Have you ever been so sure of your course that you refused advice? As Christians, we should be willing to hear—indeed, we should seek—godly counsel in important matters. Pray that God will help you receive wisdom from others.
For Further Study
- Job 5:13
- Prov. 11:14; 15:22; 20:18; 24:6
- 1 Tim. 1:4