Skip to the end of Samuel's ministry/judgeship
1Sa 7:13-17
13 So the Philistines were subdued, and they came no more within the border of Israel: and the hand of Jehovah was against the Philistines all the days of Samuel. 14 And the cities which the Philistines had taken from Israel were restored to Israel, from Ekron even unto Gath; and the border thereof did Israel deliver out of the hand of the Philistines. And there was peace between Israel and the Amorites. 15 And Samuel judged Israel all the days of his life. 16 And he went from year to year in circuit to Beth-el and Gilgal, and Mizpah; and he judged Israel in all those places. 17 And his return was to Ramah, for there was his house; and there he judged Israel: and he built there an altar unto Jehovah.
Was Samuel priest, judge or both?
H8199 - to judge, govern, vindicate, punish (1 Sam 7:6, 15 & 17)
1Sa 8:1-3
1 And it came to pass, when Samuel was old, that he made his sons judges over Israel. 2 Now the name of his first-born was Joel; and the name of his second, Abijah: they were judges in Beer-sheba. 3 And his sons walked not in his ways, but turned aside after lucre, and took bribes, and perverted justice.
Summary
Vs1 This verse implies a long period, probably not less than 20 years, of which we have no account except what is contained in the brief notice in 1Sa 7:13-17. The general idea conveyed is of a time of peace and prosperity, analogous to that under other Judges.
Vs2 Samuel had two sons, Joel and Abijah who were judges on Beersheba.
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His own sons were judges:
H8199 - to judge, govern, vindicate, punish (1 Sam 7:6, 15 & 17)
Vs3 Samuel's two sons are corrupt. They pursued dishonest gain, took bribes and perverted justice. Who would have thought?
Who else's children were corrupt that we read of? Eli
Samuel's sons are judges. What were Eli's sons? Priests
1 Sam 8:4-6
4 Then all the elders of Israel gathered themselves together, and came to Samuel unto Ramah; 5 and they said unto him, Behold, thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways: now make us a king to judge us like all the nations. 6 But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to judge us. And Samuel prayed unto Jehovah.
Summary
Vs4 The elders of Israel gather together and come to Samuel at Ramah.
Who might these elders of Israel be? I'm assuming that these are the heads of the tribes, and fathers of the houses and families of Israel, the principal persons of age and authority.
Vs5 Samuel, you are old, and your sons don't walk in thy ways: now make us a king to judge us like all the nations.
Why do the elders desire for Samuel to appoint Israel a king? Because Samuel has no heir to take over for him. Or at least no honest and trustworthy heir to take over for him.
So we might wonder why God doesn't punish Samuel for the wayward path that his sons walked like God punished Eli. Or does He? Unsure but it might part of the reason why the people desire a king. I wonder if one of the sons had followed in dad's footsteps whether the people might not had desired a "king".
Either way, the people in Israel see the kings of the surrounding nations and desire one for themselves.
"Make us a king to judge us" - H8199 - to judge, govern, vindicate, punish (1 Sam 7:6, 15 & 17)
Vs6 The "king" request of the people displeases or grieves Samuel's heart. Samuel prays to God.
Who's heart is displeased? God?
Might Samuel be offended? Or hurt? Why? The request of the elders probably feels like rejection.
1 Sam 8:7-9
7 And Jehovah said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee; for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not be king over them. 8 According to all the works which they have done since the day that I brought them up out of Egypt even unto this day, in that they have forsaken me, and served other gods, so do they also unto thee. 9 Now therefore hearken unto their voice: howbeit thou shalt protest solemnly unto them, and shalt show them the manner of the king that shall reign over them.
Summary
Vs7 God says "Listen to the people in all that they say…" Tough pill to swallow for Samuel who has given his heart to the people!
Vs7 The people have not rejected you, but Me.
Vs7 That I should not be king over them…
What does this say to Samuel? Your work as a judge has been an example of Me. Don't be offended, you have shown the people Me thru your example.
Vs8 from the day that I've taken them through Egypt until today, the people have forsaken me.
Huh???? From the wilderness after Egypt to today? What about when Joshua was running the show?
Vs8 they have followed after other gods and they are doing the same thing to you.
How does this leave Samuel feeling? Lousy?
Vs9 Listen and clearly warn them about the type of king that will reign over them and for them.
Listen to the people, but warn them…
Who always has the last say? God. They do not break free of his hand. He doles out the type of king His people deserve.
1 Sam 8:10-14
10 And Samuel told all the words of Jehovah unto the people that asked of him a king. 11 And he said, This will be the manner of the king that shall reign over you: he will take your sons, and appoint them unto him, for his chariots, and to be his horsemen; and they shall run before his chariots; 12 and he will appoint them unto him for captains of thousands, and captains of fifties; and he will set some to plow his ground, and to reap his harvest, and to make his instruments of war, and the instruments of his chariots. 13 And he will take your daughters to be perfumers, and to be cooks, and to be bakers. 14 And he will take your fields, and your vineyards, and your oliveyards, even the best of them, and give them to his servants.
Summary
Vs10 Samuel says every word of the Lord to the people who asked for a king.
Vs11 This is how "your king" will operate/rule over you:
He will take your sons and assign them over his chariots.
He will assign them to be his horsemen. What does this mean? Cavalry?
Your sons will run before his chariots. Or in front of!!!
What are these first three items related to? War
And what seems to be disposable? Their sons
Vs12 And he will "appoint them unto him"
What does this phrase suggest?
Selfishness!
Vs12 And he will appoint them unto him:
Captains of thousand
Captains of fifties
Some to reap his harvest
Some to make his instruments of war
Some to make equipment for his chariots
***So far, the king will selfishly use your sons for his army, his wars, and his harvest.
Vs13 He will take your daughters
To be perfumers
To be cooks
To be bakers
Vs14 The king will take:
Your fields
Your vineyards
Your olive groves
The best of each
And do what with them? And give them to his servants!
So this king you want takes your sons, your daughters and your stuff and uses him selfishly for what he wants.
1 Sam 8:15-18
15 And he will take the tenth of your seed, and of your vineyards, and give to his officers, and to his servants. 16 And he will take your men-servants, and your maid-servants, and your goodliest young men, and your asses, and put them to his work. 17 He will take the tenth of your flocks: and ye shall be his servants. 18 And ye shall cry out in that day because of your king whom ye shall have chosen you; and Jehovah will not answer you in that day.
Summary
Vs15 He will take a tenth of your seeds and vineyards and give it to his eunuchs and servants.
Tenth? = tithe
Vs16 He will take your male and female servants, your best herds and donkeys and use them for his work.
Vs17 He will take the tenth or tithe of your sheep and you will become his servants.
Vs18 Because you have chosen a king, you shall cry out in that day. The Lord won't answer you in that day.
In that day? What day?
Probably a metaphor for the day. The day of the Lord or the seventh day. Since Saul is metaphorical of the church the same way Eli was metaphorical for the church.
1 Sam 8:19-22
19 But the people refused to hearken unto the voice of Samuel; and they said, Nay: but we will have a king over us, 20 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. 21 And Samuel heard all the words of the people, and he rehearsed them in the ears of Jehovah. 22 And Jehovah said to Samuel, Hearken unto their voice, and make them a king. And Samuel said unto the men of Israel, Go ye every man unto his city.
Summary
Vs19 Irregardless of God's words of warning spoken through Samuel, the people still want a king. Stupid!
Vs20 Therefore we will be like all the other surrounding nations. Our king may judge or govern us, go out before us and fight our battles.
It's as if Samuel hadn't even spoken. The people are clueless. They aren't listening.
Vs21 Samuel heard the words of the people and repeated them directly to God.
How grievous this must have been to Samuel…geez!
Vs22 God tells Samuel "Listen to the people. Appoint a king". Then Samuel dismissed the people to go home
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