12/25/2022 0 Comments God appoints kings and rulers![]() The Hebrew for “take” (לקח, lakach) is used four times in this section (8:11, 13, 14, 16). This forms a play on words, as the king’s judgments would be a judgment upon Israel from God. (NET translates this “policies” and KJV “manner”). The Hebrew word for the “ways” of the king is מִשְׁפַּ֣ט ( mishpat), which is usually translated as “judgment” (1 Samuel 8:9, 11). God first instructed Samuel to warn Israel of the ways of the king who would reign over them. And now Israel rejected Yahweh by revolting against Samuel. This was seen with the golden calf in Exodus, the wilderness wanderings in Numbers, and the rebellions throughout Judges. Israel had been a rebellious people throughout their history, constantly rejecting Yahweh and serving false gods. God continued, “According to all the deeds that they have done, from the day I brought them up out of Egypt even to this day, forsaking me and serving others gods, so they are also doing to you” (1 Samuel 8:8). God’s words reveal that the primary problem was Israel, not Samuel. Yahweh instructed Samuel to obey the people, “for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected me from being king over them” (1 Samuel 8:7). Israel’s request for a king displeased Samuel (literally, it was “evil in the eyes of Samuel”), and he prayed to Yahweh (1 Samuel 8:6). They did not consider the role of judge, which God had given Israel, to be enough for them. Now appoint for us a king to judge us like all the nations” (1 Samuel 8:4-5). The elders of Israel came to Samuel at his home in Ramah and said, “Behold, you are old and your sons do not walk in your ways. However, Israel sinned in their demand for a king. Israel had reason to be concerned over Samuel as judge because of his appointment of his rebellious sons as leaders in Israel. In chapter two, God rejected Eli as judge, but in chapter eight, Israel rejected Samuel as judge. Joel and Abijah (Samuel’s sons) became like Hophni and Phinehas (Eli’s sons), who treated God’s offerings with contempt and were even having relations with the women who served at the entrance of the tabernacle (1 Samuel 2:12-36). Though Samuel is contrasted with Eli in other ways, Samuel and Eli both raised wicked sons. ![]() They took bribes and perverted justice” (1 Samuel 8:3). His sons “did not walk in his ways but turned aside after gain. Samuel made a serious mistake when he made his wicked sons, Joel and Abijah, judges in Israel (1 Samuel 8:1). ![]() ![]() However, Israel rejected Samuel and demanded a king, making Samuel the last judge of Israel. Israel was formerly ruled by judges-the 12 judges in the Book of Judges and then Eli and Samuel (1 Samuel 4:18 7:15-17). First Samuel 8 marks a significant transition in Israel’s history.
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