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1 Samuel 10:19

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And ye have this day rejected your God, who himself saved you out of all your adversities and your tribulations; and ye have said unto him, [Nay], but set a king over us. Now therefore present yourselves before the LORD by your tribes, and by your thousands.

And ye have this day {H3117} rejected {H3988} your God {H430}, who himself saved {H3467} you out of all your adversities {H7451} and your tribulations {H6869}; and ye have said {H559} unto him, Nay, but set {H7760} a king {H4428} over us. Now therefore present {H3320} yourselves before {H6440} the LORD {H3068} by your tribes {H7626}, and by your thousands {H505}.

But today you have rejected your God, who himself saves you from all your disasters and distress. You have said to him, 'No! Put a king over us!' So now, present yourselves before ADONAI by your tribes and families."

But today you have rejected your God, who saves you from all your troubles and afflictions, and you have said to Him, ‘No, set a king over us.’ Now therefore present yourselves before the LORD by your tribes and clans.”

but ye have this day rejected your God, who himself saveth you out of all your calamities and your distresses; and ye have said unto him, Nay, but set a king over us. Now therefore present yourselves before Jehovah by your tribes, and by your thousands.

Commentary

Commentary on 1 Samuel 10:19 KJV

This verse captures a pivotal moment in Israel's history, as the prophet Samuel confronts the people about their choice to demand a human king. It immediately precedes the public selection of Saul as Israel's first monarch, setting a somber tone for the transition from a theocracy to a monarchy.

Context

Following a period of judges, during which Israel often cycled between disobedience and deliverance, the people grew weary of the perceived instability, particularly the corrupt leadership of Samuel's sons. Their desire was to be "like all the nations" (1 Samuel 8:5), with a visible king to lead them in battle. This demand, however, was not merely a request for a change in governance; it was interpreted by God and Samuel as a profound rejection of God's direct rule over them. Samuel had already warned them of the consequences of such a king in 1 Samuel 8:11-18.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Rejection of Divine Rule: The core message is Israel's rejection of God as their sovereign. Samuel explicitly states, "ye have this day rejected your God." This underscores a profound lack of trust and an inclination to rely on human institutions rather than divine guidance. God Himself affirms this rejection in 1 Samuel 8:7.
  • Divine Faithfulness Contrasted with Human Ingratitude: God reminds them that He "himself saved you out of all your adversities and your tribulations." This highlights God's consistent deliverance throughout their history, from the Exodus to the time of the Judges. Their demand for a king, therefore, is portrayed as an act of ingratitude and forgetfulness of His past mercies.
  • The Consequence of Human Choice: While God grants their request for a king, it is presented as a concession to their stubbornness rather than an ideal outcome. This decision carries significant implications for Israel's future history, which would be marked by both righteous and wicked kings.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "rejected" is ma'as, which conveys a strong sense of disdain, contempt, or active renunciation. It's not a passive turning away but a deliberate and forceful dismissal. The word "saved" (Hebrew: yasha) emphasizes God's consistent role as deliverer and rescuer throughout Israel's journey, making their rejection even more poignant.

Practical Application

This verse serves as a timeless reminder of the human tendency to prefer visible, earthly solutions over invisible, divine guidance.

  • Trusting God's Sovereignty: It challenges us to examine our own desires and whether we are truly trusting God's leadership in our lives, even when His ways seem unconventional or less appealing than worldly alternatives.
  • Remembering God's Faithfulness: Just as Israel forgot God's past deliverances, we too can easily become ungrateful and forget how God has saved us from our own "adversities and tribulations." Regularly recalling His past faithfulness strengthens our trust for the future.
  • Avoiding Conformity: The desire to be "like all the nations" can manifest in modern contexts as the temptation to conform to cultural norms rather than upholding biblical principles. This verse calls us to embrace God's unique design for His people.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 1 Samuel 12:12 (5 votes)

    And when ye saw that Nahash the king of the children of Ammon came against you, ye said unto me, Nay; but a king shall reign over us: when the LORD your God [was] your king.

  • Joshua 24:1 (3 votes)

    ¶ And Joshua gathered all the tribes of Israel to Shechem, and called for the elders of Israel, and for their heads, and for their judges, and for their officers; and they presented themselves before God.

  • 1 Samuel 8:19 (3 votes)

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

  • 1 Samuel 8:6 (2 votes)

    But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to judge us. And Samuel prayed unto the LORD.

  • 1 Samuel 8:9 (2 votes)

    Now therefore hearken unto their voice: howbeit yet protest solemnly unto them, and shew them the manner of the king that shall reign over them.

  • Joshua 7:14 (2 votes)

    In the morning therefore ye shall be brought according to your tribes: and it shall be, [that] the tribe which the LORD taketh shall come according to the families [thereof]; and the family which the LORD shall take shall come by households; and the household which the LORD shall take shall come man by man.

  • Joshua 7:26 (2 votes)

    And they raised over him a great heap of stones unto this day. So the LORD turned from the fierceness of his anger. Wherefore the name of that place was called, The valley of Achor, unto this day.