CHAPTER VIII _Samuel, grown old, makes his sons judges in Beer-sheba_, 1, 2. _They pervert judgment; and the people complain, and desire a_ _king_, 3-5. _Samuel is displeased, and inquires of the Lord_, 6. _The Lord is also displeased; but directs Samuel to appoint them_ _a king, and to show t... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Samuel 8:3. _HIS SONS WALKED NOT IN HIS WAYS_] Their iniquity is pointed out in _three_ words: 1. _They turned aside after lucre_; the original (בצע _batsa_) signifies to _cut, clip, break off_; and therefore Mr. Parkhurst thinks that it means nearly the same with our _clipping of coin_. It... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 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 th... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Samuel 8:6. _THE THING DISPLEASED SAMUEL_] Because he saw that this amounted to a formal renunciation of the Divine government. _SAMUEL PRAYED UNTO THE LORD_] He begged to know his mind in this important business.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Samuel 8:7. _THEY HAVE REJECTED ME_] They wish to put that government in the hands of a _mortal_, which was always in the hands of their GOD. But _hearken unto their voice_-grant them what they request. So we find God grants that in his _displeasure_ which he withholds in his _mercy_.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Samuel 8:9. _SHOW THEM THE MANNER OF THE KING_] The word משפט _mishpat_, which we here render _manner_, signifies simply what the king would and might require, according to the _manner_ in which kings in general ruled; all of whom, in those times, were _absolute_ and _despotic_. The whole... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Samuel 8:19. _THE PEOPLE REFUSED TO OBEY_] They _would_ have the _king_, his _manner_ and all, notwithstanding the solemn warning which they here receive.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Samuel 8:20. _MAY JUDGE US_] This appears to be a rejection of Samuel. _GO OUT BEFORE US_] Be in every respect our head and governor. _AND FIGHT OUR BATTLES._] Be the general of our armies.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Samuel 8:21. _REHEARSED THEM IN THE EARS OF THE LORD._] He went to the altar, and in his secret devotion laid the whole business before God.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Samuel 8:22. _HEARKEN UNTO THEIR VOICE_] Let them have what they desire, and let them abide the consequences. _GO YE EVERY MAN UNTO HIS CITY._] It seems the elders of the people had tarried all this time with Samuel, and when he had received his ultimate answer from God, he told them of it... [ Continue Reading ]