1 Samuel 8:19

Modern

Nevertheless, the people refused to listen to Samuel. “No!” they said. “We must have a king over us.

Traditional

Nevertheless the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel; and they said, Nay; but we will have a king over us;

Literal

And the people refused to listen to the voice of Samuel, and they said, “No, but surely we will have a king over us,

Latin

Noluit autem populus audire vocem Samuelis, sed dixerunt: Nequaquam: rex enim erit super nos,

Hebrew

English

Nevertheless , the people refused to listen to Samuel. “No!” they said. “We must have a king over us.

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

Jeremiah 44:16
“As for the word you have spoken to us in the name of the LORD, we will not listen to you!
Isaiah 66:4
So I will choose their punishment and I will bring terror upon them, because I called and no one answered, I spoke and no one listened. But they did evil in My sight and chose that in which I did not delight.”
Ezekiel 33:31
So My people come to you as usual, sit before you, and hear your words; but they do not put them into practice. Although they express love with their mouths, their hearts pursue dishonest gain.
Psalm 81:11
But My people would not listen to Me, and Israel would not obey Me.
Jeremiah 7:13
And now, because you have done all these things, declares the LORD, and because I have spoken to you again and again but you would not listen, and I have called to you but you would not answer,

Samuel: Prophet and last judge of Israel before the kings