81 And it came about when Samuel was old that he appointed his sons judges over Israel . 2 Now the name of his firstborn was Joel , and the name of his second , Abijah ; they were judging in Beersheba . 3 His sons , however, did not walk in his ways , but turned aside after dishonest gain and took bribes and perverted justice .
4 Then all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah ; 5 and they said to him, "Behold , you have grown old , and your sons do not walk in your ways . Now appoint a king for us to judge us like all the nations ." 6 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 . 7 The Lord said to Samuel , "Listen to the voice of the people in regard to all that they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me from being king over them. 8 "Like all the deeds which they have done since the day that I brought them up from Egypt even to this day -in that they have forsaken Me and served other gods -so they are doing to you also . 9 "Now then, listen to their voice ; however , you shall solemnly warn them and tell them of the procedure of the king who will reign over them." 10 So Samuel spoke all the words of the Lord to the people who had asked of him a king . 11 He said , " This will be the procedure of the king who will reign over you: he will take your sons and place them for himself in his chariots and among his horsemen and they will run before his chariots . 12 " He will appoint for himself commanders of thousands and of fifties , and some to do his plowing and to reap his harvest and to make his weapons of war and equipment for his chariots . 13 "He will also take your daughters for perfumers and cooks and bakers . 14 " He will take the best of your fields and your vineyards and your olive groves and give them to his servants . 15 "He will take a tenth of your seed and of your vineyards and give to his officers and to his servants . 16 "He will also take your male servants and your female servants and your best young men and your donkeys and use them for his work . 17 "He will take a tenth of your flocks , and you yourselves will become his servants . 18 "Then you will cry out in that day because e of your king whom you have chosen for yourselves, but the Lord will not answer you in that day ."
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Samuel 8:1-18
Commentary on 1 Samuel 8:1-3
(Read 1 Samuel 8:1-3)
It does not appear that Samuel's sons were so profane and vicious as Eli's sons; but they were corrupt judges, they turned aside after lucre. Samuel took no bribes, but his sons did, and then they perverted judgment. What added to the grievance of the people was, that they were threatened by an invasion from Nahash, king of the Ammonites.
Commentary on 1 Samuel 8:4-9
(Read 1 Samuel 8:4-9)
Samuel was displeased; he could patiently bear what reflected on himself, and his own family; but it displeased him when they said, Give us a king to judge us, because that reflected upon God. It drove him to his knees. When any thing disturbs us, it is our interest, as well as our duty, to show our trouble before God. Samuel is to tell them that they shall have a king. Not that God was pleased with their request, but as sometimes he opposes us from loving-kindness, so at other times he gratifies us in wrath; he did so here. God knows how to bring glory to himself, and serves his own wise purposes, even by men's foolish counsels.
Commentary on 1 Samuel 8:10-22
(Read 1 Samuel 8:10-22)
If they would have a king to rule them, as the eastern kings ruled their subjects, they would find the yoke exceedingly heavy. Those that submit to the government of the world and the flesh, are told plainly, what hard masters they are, and what tyranny the dominion of sin is. The law of God and the manner of men widely differ from each other; the former should be our rule in the several relations of life; the latter should be the measure of our expectations from others. These would be their grievances, and, when they complained to God, he would not hear them. When we bring ourselves into distress by our own wrong desires and projects, we justly forfeit the comfort of prayer, and the benefit of Divine aid. The people were obstinate and urgent in their demand. Sudden resolves and hasty desires make work for long and leisurely repentance. Our wisdom is, to be thankful for the advantages, and patient under the disadvantages of the government we may live under; and to pray continually for our rulers, that they may govern us in the fear of God, and that we may live under them in all godliness and honesty. And it is a hopeful symptom when our desires of worldly objects can brook delay; and when we can refer the time and manner of their being granted to God's providence.