I Samuel 8
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Commentaries
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When Samuel was old - Supposed to be about sixty. He made his sons judges - He appointed them as his lieutenants to superintend certain affairs in Beer-sheba, which he could not conveniently attend to himself. But they were never judges in the proper sense of the word; Samuel was the last judge in Israel, and he judged it to the day of his death. See Sa1 7:16.
Open source ↗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-sheba. The young men, however, did not inherit the high qualities of their father. Having corrupted the fountains of justice for their own private aggrandizement, a deputation of the leading men in the country lodged a complaint against them in headquarters, accompanied with a formal demand for a change in the government. The limited and occasional authority of the judges, the disunion and jealousy of the tribes under the administration of those rulers, had been creating a desire for a united and permanent form of government; while the advanced age of Samuel, together with the risk of his death happening in the then unsettled state of the people, was the occasion of calling forth an expression of this desire now.
Open source ↗And it came to pass, when Samuel was old,.... The common notion of the Jews is, that he lived but fifty two years (t); when a man is not usually called an old man, unless the infirmities of old age came upon him sooner than they commonly do, through his indefatigable labours from his childhood, and the cares and burdens of government he had long bore; though some think he was about sixty years of age; and Abarbinel is of opinion that he was more than seventy. It is a rule with the Jews (u), that a man is called an old man at sixty, and a grey headed man at seventy: that he made his sons judges over Israel; under himself, not being able through old age to go the circuits he used; he sent them, and appointed them to hear and try causes in his stead, or settled them in some particular places in the land, and, as it seems by what follows, at Beersheba; though whether that was under his direction, or was their own choice, is not certain. (t) Seder Olam Rabba, ut supra. (c. 13. p. 35.) (u) Pirke Abot, c. 5. sect. 21.
Open source ↗Sa1 8:1-2 The reason assigned for the appointment of Samuel's sons as judges is his own advanced age. The inference which we might draw from this alone, namely, that they were simply to support their father in the administration of justice, and that Samuel had no intention of laying down his office, and still less of making the supreme office of judge hereditary in his family, is still more apparent from the fact that they were stationed as judges of the nation in Beersheba, which was on the southern border of Canaan (Jdg 20:1, etc.; see at Gen 21:31). The sons are also mentioned again in Ch1 6:13, though the name of the elder has either been dropped out of the Masoretic text or has become corrupt. Sa1 8:3 The sons, however, did not walk in the ways of their father, but set their hearts upon gain, took bribes, and perverted justice, in opposition to the command of God (see Exo 23:6, Exo 23:8; Deu 16:19). Sa1 8:4-5 These circumstances (viz., Samuel's age and the degeneracy of his sons) furnished the elders of Israel with the opportunity to apply to Samuel with this request: "Appoint us a king to judge us, as all the nations" (the heathen), sc., have kings. This request resembles so completely the law of the king in Deu 17:14 (observe, for example, the expression כּכל־הגּוים), that the distinct allusion to it is unmistakeable. The custom of expressly quoting the book of the law is met with for the first time in the writings of the period of the captivity. The elders simply desired what Jehovah had foretold through His servant Moses, as a thing that would take place in the future and for which He had even made provision.
Open source ↗Two sad things we find here, but not strange things: - 1. A good and useful man growing old and unfit for service (Sa1 8:1): Samuel was old, and could not judge Israel, as he had done. He is not reckoned to be past sixty years of age now, perhaps not so much; but he was a man betimes, was full of thoughts and cared when he was a child, which perhaps hastened the infirmities of age upon him. The fruits that are the first ripe keep the worst. He had spent his strength and spirits in the fatigue of public business, and now, if he think to shake himself as at other times, he finds he is mistaken: old age has cut his hair. Those that are in the prime of their time ought to be busy in doing the work of life: for, as they go into years, they will find themselves less disposed to it and less able for it. 2. The children of a good man turning aside, and not treading in his steps. Samuel had given his sons so good an education, and they had given him such good hopes of their doing well, and gained such a reputation in Israel, that he made them judges, assistants to him awhile, and afterwards deputies under him at Beersheeba, which lay remote from Ramah, Sa1 8:2. Probably the southern countries petitioned for their residence there, that they might not be necessitated to travel far with their causes. We have reason to think that Samuel gave them their commissions, not because they were his sons (he had no ambition to entail the government upon his family, any more than Gideon had), but because, for aught that yet appeared, they were men very fit for the trust; and none so proper to ease the aged judge, and take some of the burden off him, as (coeteris paribus - other things being equal) his own sons, who no doubt were respected for their good father's sake, and, having such an adva…
Open source ↗8:1–12:25 During Israel’s transition to a monarchy, neither God (8:7-9) nor Samuel (12:1-25) was pleased by the people’s demand for a king. Saul, the first king (chs 9–11), failed in his role (chs 13–31) and fulfilled Samuel’s warnings (see 8:10-18; cp. 16:1-13).
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
שְׁמוּאֵל (Shᵉmûwʼêl, H8050) — Shemuel, the name of three Israelites זָקֵן (zâqên, H2204) — to be old שׂוּם (sûwm, H7760) — to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and… בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… שָׁפַט (shâphaṭ, H8199) — to judge, i.e. pronounce sentence (for or against); by implication, to vindicate or… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
Open source ↗שֵׁם (shêm, H8034) — an appellation, as amark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority,… בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… בְּכוֹר (bᵉkôwr, H1060) — firstborn; hence, chief יוֹאֵל (Yôwʼêl, H3100) — Joel, the name of twelve Israelites מִשְׁנֶה (mishneh, H4932) — properly, a repetition, i.e. a duplicate (copy of a document), or a double (in amount);… אֲבִיָּה (ʼĂbîyâh, H29) — Abijah, the name of several Israelite men and two Israelitesses שָׁפַט (shâphaṭ, H8199) — to judge, i.e. pronounce sentence (for or against); by implication, to vindicate or… בְּאֵר שֶׁבַע (Bᵉʼêr Shebaʻ, H884) — Beer-Sheba, a place in Palestine
Open source ↗בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… הָלַךְ (hâlak, H1980) — to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively) דֶּרֶךְ (derek, H1870) — a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb נָטָה (nâṭâh, H5186) — to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away (including moral deflection); used… אַחַר (ʼachar, H310) — properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various… בֶּצַע (betsaʻ, H1215) — plunder; by extension, gain (usually unjust) לָקַח (lâqach, H3947) — to take (in the widest variety of applications) שַׁחַד (shachad, H7810) — a donation (venal or redemptive) מִשְׁפָּט (mishpâṭ, H4941) — properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a…
Open source ↗זָקֵן (zâqên, H2205) — old יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity קָבַץ (qâbats, H6908) — to grasp, i.e. collect בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) שְׁמוּאֵל (Shᵉmûwʼêl, H8050) — Shemuel, the name of three Israelites רָמָה (Râmâh, H7414) — Ramah, the name of four places in Palestine
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) זָקֵן (zâqên, H2204) — to be old בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… הָלַךְ (hâlak, H1980) — to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively) דֶּרֶךְ (derek, H1870) — a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb שׂוּם (sûwm, H7760) — to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and… מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king שָׁפַט (shâphaṭ, H8199) — to judge, i.e. pronounce sentence (for or against); by implication, to vindicate or… גּוֹי (gôwy, H1471) — a foreign nation; hence, a Gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight…
Open source ↗דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause יָרַע (yâraʻ, H3415) — properly, to be broken up (with any violent action) i.e. (figuratively) to fear עַיִן (ʻayin, H5869) — an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape) שְׁמוּאֵל (Shᵉmûwʼêl, H8050) — Shemuel, the name of three Israelites אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king שָׁפַט (shâphaṭ, H8199) — to judge, i.e. pronounce sentence (for or against); by implication, to vindicate or… פָּלַל (pâlal, H6419) — to judge (officially or mentally); by extension, to intercede, pray יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God
Open source ↗יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) שְׁמוּאֵל (Shᵉmûwʼêl, H8050) — Shemuel, the name of three Israelites שָׁמַע (shâmaʻ, H8085) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively,… קוֹל (qôwl, H6963) — a voice or sound עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… מָאַס (mâʼaç, H3988) — to spurn; also (intransitively) to disappear מָלַךְ (mâlak, H4427) — to reign; inceptively, to ascend the throne; causatively, to induct into royalty; hence…
Open source ↗מַעֲשֶׂה (maʻăseh, H4639) — an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication,… עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… עָלָה (ʻâlâh, H5927) — to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of… מִצְרַיִם (Mitsrayim, H4714) — Mitsrajim, i.e. Upper and Lower Egypt עָזַב (ʻâzab, H5800) — to loosen, i.e. relinquish, permit, etc. עָבַד (ʻâbad, H5647) — to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc. אַחֵר (ʼachêr, H312) — properly, hinder; generally, next, other, etc. אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with…
Open source ↗שָׁמַע (shâmaʻ, H8085) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively,… קוֹל (qôwl, H6963) — a voice or sound אַךְ (ʼak, H389) — a particle of affirmation, surely; hence (by limitation) only עוּד (ʻûwd, H5749) — to duplicate or repeat; by implication, to protest, testify (as by reiteration);… נָגַד (nâgad, H5046) — properly, to front, i.e. stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to… מִשְׁפָּט (mishpâṭ, H4941) — properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a… מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king מָלַךְ (mâlak, H4427) — to reign; inceptively, to ascend the throne; causatively, to induct into royalty; hence…
Open source ↗שְׁמוּאֵל (Shᵉmûwʼêl, H8050) — Shemuel, the name of three Israelites אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… שָׁאַל (shâʼal, H7592) — to inquire; by implication, to request; by extension, to demand מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) מִשְׁפָּט (mishpâṭ, H4941) — properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a… מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king מָלַךְ (mâlak, H4427) — to reign; inceptively, to ascend the throne; causatively, to induct into royalty; hence… לָקַח (lâqach, H3947) — to take (in the widest variety of applications) בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… שׂוּם (sûwm, H7760) — to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and… מֶרְכָּבָה (merkâbâh, H4818) — a chariot פָּרָשׁ (pârâsh, H6571) — a steed (as stretched out to a vehicle, not single nor for mounting ); also (by… רוּץ (rûwts, H7323) — to run (for whatever reason, especially to rush) פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and…
Open source ↗שׂוּם (sûwm, H7760) — to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and… שַׂר (sar, H8269) — a head person (of any rank or class) אֶלֶף (ʼeleph, H505) — hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as… חֲמִשִּׁים (chămishshîym, H2572) — fifty חָרַשׁ (chârash, H2790) — to scratch, i.e. (by implication) to engrave, plough; hence (from the use of tools) to… חָרִישׁ (chârîysh, H2758) — ploughing or its season קָצַר (qâtsar, H7114) — to dock off, i.e. curtail (transitive or intransitive, literal or figurative); especially… קָצִיר (qâtsîyr, H7105) — severed, i.e. harvest (as reaped), the crop, the time, the reaper, or figuratively; also… עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application כְּלִי (kᵉlîy, H3627) — something prepared, i.e. any apparatus (as an implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon) מִלְחָמָה (milchâmâh, H4421) — a battle (i.e. the engagement); generally, war (i.e. warfare) רֶכֶב (rekeb, H7393) — a vehicle; by implication, a team; by extension, cavalry; by analogy a rider, i.e. the…
Open source ↗לָקַח (lâqach, H3947) — to take (in the widest variety of applications) בַּת (bath, H1323) — a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and… רַקָּחָה (raqqâchâh, H7548) — a female perfumer טַבָּחָה (ṭabbâchâh, H2879) — a female cook אָפָה (ʼâphâh, H644) — to cook, especially to bake
Open source ↗לָקַח (lâqach, H3947) — to take (in the widest variety of applications) שָׂדֶה (sâdeh, H7704) — a field (as flat) כֶּרֶם (kerem, H3754) — a garden or vineyard זַיִת (zayith, H2132) — an olive (as yielding illuminating oil), the tree, the branch or the berry טוֹב (ṭôwb, H2896) — good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the… נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) עֶבֶד (ʻebed, H5650) — a servant
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
I solemnly charge you before God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels to maintain these principles without bias, and to do nothing out of partiality.
Then I put my brother Hanani in charge of Jerusalem, along with Hananiah the commander of the fortress, because he was a faithful man who feared God more than most.
He had forty sons and thirty grandsons, who rode on seventy donkeys. And he judged Israel eight years.
You who ride white donkeys, who sit on saddle blankets, and you who travel the road, ponder
He had thirty sons who rode on thirty donkeys. And they had thirty towns in the land of Gilead, which to this day are called Havvoth-jair.