1 Samuel 8:20

Translations

Modern

Then we will be like all the other nations, with a king to judge us, to go out before us, and to fight our battles.”

Traditional

That we also may be like all the nations; and that our king may judge us, and go out before us, and fight our battles.

Literal

…that we also may be like all the nations, that our king may judge us and go out before us and fight our battles.”

Latin

…et erimus nos quoque sicut omnes gentes: et judicabit nos rex noster, et egredietur ante nos, et pugnabit bella nostra pro nobis.

Original

Hebrew

English

Then we will be like all the other nations, with a king to judge us, to go out before us, and to fight our battles.”

Notes

1 Samuel 8:20

God had set Israel apart from other nations (Leviticus 20:26; Numbers 23:9). By wanting a king and wishing to be like other nations, they were rejecting God's plan (see 1 Samuel 8:5–7; compare Deuteronomy 17:14).
to judge us, to go out before us, and to fight our battles.”: Kings had three main roles:
1. waging wars, both offensive and defensive,
2. enforcing laws, and
3. ensuring economic stability.

1 Samuel 8:1–12:25

When Israel was changing to a monarchy (rule by kings), neither God (1 Samuel 8:7–9) nor Samuel (1 Samuel 12:1–25) liked the people's request for a king. Saul, the first king (1 Samuel 9–11), did not succeed in his role (1 Samuel 13–31) and proved Samuel's warnings true (see 1 Samuel 8:10–18; compare 1 Samuel 16:1–13).

Theme notes and profiles

Samuel Kingship

Related verses

1 Samuel 8:5
“Look,” they said, “you are old, and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now appoint a king to judge us like all the other nations.”
Romans 12:12
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, persistent in prayer.
Leviticus 20:24–26
But I have told you that you will inherit their land, since I will give it to you as an inheritance—a land flowing with milk and honey. I am the LORD your God, who has set you apart from the peoples.
John 15:19
If you were of the world, it would love you as its own. Instead, the world hates you, because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world.
Deuteronomy 7:6
For you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for His prized possession out of all peoples on the face of the earth.
Philippians 3:20
But our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,
1 Peter 2:9
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.
Exodus 33:16
For how then can it be known that Your people and I have found favor in Your sight, unless You go with us? How else will we be distinguished from all the other people on the face of the earth?”
2 Corinthians 6:17
“Therefore come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.”
Psalm 106:35
…but they mingled with the nations and adopted their customs.
Numbers 23:9
For I see them from atop the rocky cliffs, and I watch them from the hills. Behold, a people dwelling apart, not reckoning themselves among the nations.

Glossary

History of Israel King Samuel (Person) Samuel, Books of First and Second Theocracy

Topics

Government: Mosaic: Chose, or Ratified, the Chief Ruler Government: Mosaic: Demands a King Israel: Under the Judges: They Demand a King Kings: Israel Asked For, That They Might be Like the Nations Samuel: People Desire a King; he Protests The Armies of Israel: Often Led by the King in Person Worldliness: General Scriptures Concerning

1 Samuel 8:20

Translations?

Original?

Notes?

Related verses?

Glossary?

Topics?

Translations

Original

Notes

Related verses

Glossary

Topics