1 Samuel 8:18

KJV

And ye shall cry out in that day because of your king which ye shall have chosen you; and the LORD will not hear you in that day.

KJV (with Strong's)

And ye shall cry out {H2199} in that day {H3117} because {H6440} of your king {H4428} which ye shall have chosen {H977} you; and the LORD {H3068} will not hear {H6030} you in that day {H3117}.

Complete Jewish Bible

When that happens, you will cry out on account of your king, whom you yourselves chose. But when that happens, ADONAI will not answer you!"

Berean Standard Bible

When that day comes, you will beg for relief from the king you have chosen, but the LORD will not answer you on that day.”

American Standard Version

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Samuel 8:18 delivers a profound and sobering prophecy to the Israelites who demanded a human king, rejecting God's direct rule. It foretells a future day of distress and oppression under their self-chosen monarch, a day when their desperate cries for deliverance would go unanswered by the LORD. This verse underscores the severe consequences of prioritizing human desires and worldly conformity over divine wisdom and perfect governance, revealing that the very king they insisted upon would become the source of their anguish, and their pleas for relief would meet with divine silence as a direct consequence of their rebellious choice.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as the climactic warning within Samuel's detailed prophecy to Israel regarding their request for a king. The narrative in [1 Samuel 8](/1_samuel/8 "1 Samuel 8 - Israel Demands a King") opens with the elders of Israel approaching Samuel, ostensibly concerned about his corrupt sons, but fundamentally expressing a desire to "be like all the nations" and have a king to judge them. The LORD explicitly tells Samuel in [1 Samuel 8:7](/1_samuel/8-7 "1 Samuel 8:7 - God's Rejection by Israel") that their request is not a rejection of Samuel, but a rejection of God Himself as their King. Following this, Samuel, under divine instruction, meticulously outlines the oppressive nature of the king they would choose in [1 Samuel 8:10-17](/1_samuel/8-10 "1 Samuel 8:10-17 - Samuel's Warning about a King"), detailing how the king would conscript their sons and daughters, seize their lands and livestock, and ultimately enslave them. Verse 18 is the culmination of this dire prediction, sealing the warning with the ultimate consequence: divine non-intervention in their self-inflicted suffering.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Israel's demand for a king marks a pivotal transition from a tribal confederacy led by judges to a centralized monarchy. This period, roughly the late 11th century BCE, saw the rise of powerful kingdoms in the ancient Near East, making Israel's desire to "be like all the nations" understandable from a geopolitical perspective. However, Israel's unique covenant relationship with Yahweh meant that their ideal governance was a theocracy, with God as their direct King. The surrounding nations, like Egypt, Mesopotamia, and the Hittites, had divine kings or kings who were seen as representatives of their gods, but Israel's God was uniquely transcendent and directly involved in their national life. Their rejection of God's direct rule for a human monarch, driven by a desire for visible leadership and military security, represented a profound theological shift and a failure to trust in God's provision and protection. This choice was not inherently forbidden (Deuteronomy anticipated a king in [Deuteronomy 17:14-20](/deuteronomy/17-14 "Deuteronomy 17:14-20 - Laws Concerning a King")), but their motivation—rejecting God—was deeply flawed.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully encapsulates several overarching themes present in [1 Samuel](/1_samuel/1 "1 Samuel - The Rise of Monarchy") and the broader Deuteronomic history. Firstly, it highlights the **consequences of human self-will and rebellion against divine authority**. Israel's insistence on a king, despite God's clear warnings, demonstrates a preference for human wisdom over divine guidance, leading directly to the predicted suffering. Secondly, it underscores the theme of **divine sovereignty versus human autonomy**. God, as the true King of Israel, allows them to experience the fruit of their choice, demonstrating that while He grants free will, He also allows the natural and spiritual consequences of disobedience to unfold. Lastly, the theme of **unanswered prayer** emerges, not as a sign of God's indifference, but as a specific, disciplinary response to a people who have deliberately turned away from His perfect will. This serves as a stark reminder that persistent rejection of God's counsel can lead to a state where even desperate cries for help may not elicit the desired divine intervention.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **cry out (Hebrew, _za'aq'_):** This verb signifies a desperate, often loud, cry for help, deliverance, or justice in a time of extreme distress, pain, or oppression. It is frequently used in the Old Testament to describe the cries of the Israelites under oppression, often leading to God's intervention (e.g., [Exodus 2:23](/exodus/2-23 "Exodus 2:23 - Israel's Cry Under Oppression")). In this context, it anticipates a future state of anguish where their usual recourse to God will be met with silence.
* **chosen (Hebrew, _bachar'_):** This word emphasizes Israel's active and deliberate role in selecting their king. It highlights their agency and responsibility for the consequences that will follow. The suffering they experience will not be arbitrary but directly attributable to their own decision to reject God's direct rule and opt for a human monarch "like all the nations."
* **will not hear (Hebrew, _lo' ya'aneh'_):** This phrase indicates a divine refusal to respond or intervene. It's not a statement about God's inability to hear, but His sovereign choice to withhold the specific intervention they would cry out for. This divine silence is a direct, punitive consequence of their rejection of Him, allowing them to fully experience the natural and spiritual repercussions of their self-willed path.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And ye shall cry out in that day":** This clause prophesies a future time of intense suffering and distress for the Israelites. The "day" refers to the period under the oppressive rule of the king they are about to choose. Their "crying out" signifies a desperate plea for relief from the burdens and injustices imposed by their human monarch, a stark contrast to the freedom and direct access they had under God's judges.
* **"because of your king which ye shall have chosen you":** This crucial phrase explicitly attributes the cause of their future anguish to their own deliberate choice. The suffering is not an arbitrary act of God, but a direct consequence of their self-willed decision to reject God's perfect governance and insist on a human king. It underscores their responsibility and the self-inflicted nature of their coming hardship.
* **"and the LORD will not hear you in that day":** This is the most severe part of the prophecy. It means that when they cry out in their distress, God will not intervene to deliver them from the very situation they brought upon themselves. This is a profound statement of divine justice and discipline, indicating that their persistent rejection of God's counsel will lead to a temporary withdrawal of His immediate, saving intervention, allowing them to fully experience the fruit of their rebellious choice.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful literary devices. **Foreshadowing** is prominent, as Samuel's prophecy paints a vivid picture of future suffering that will directly result from Israel's present choice. This warning serves as a premonition of the oppression and anguish that many of Israel's future kings would inflict upon the people, culminating in the division of the kingdom and subsequent exiles. **Irony** is also at play: the very king they desire for security and stability will become the source of their oppression, and their cries for help, usually directed to the God who delivered them from Egypt, will be met with silence from that same God. This highlights the tragic reversal of their fortunes due to their misguided choice. Furthermore, the entire verse functions as a **Prophecy**, a divinely inspired declaration of future events and their consequences, serving both as a warning and as a demonstration of God's foreknowledge and sovereign control over history, even when His people deviate from His perfect will.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Samuel 8:18 stands as a stark theological declaration about the nature of divine sovereignty, human responsibility, and the consequences of rejecting God's perfect will. It teaches that while God grants humanity the freedom to choose, those choices have profound spiritual and practical ramifications. When humanity insists on a path contrary to divine wisdom, even when warned, God may allow them to experience the full weight of their self-chosen consequences, including a temporary withholding of His immediate intervention in their distress. This is not an act of indifference, but often a form of divine discipline, designed to teach the profound lesson that true security and well-being are found only in submission to God's benevolent rule, not in reliance on human systems or desires for worldly conformity.

* [Proverbs 1:28-31](/proverbs/1-28 "Proverbs 1:28-31 - Wisdom's Rejection and Consequences")
* [Isaiah 1:15](/isaiah/1-15 "Isaiah 1:15 - Unheard Prayers Due to Sin")
* [Hosea 13:11](/hosea/13-11 "Hosea 13:11 - God Giving a King in Anger")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This ancient warning from 1 Samuel 8:18 resonates deeply with contemporary life, serving as a timeless cautionary tale for individuals and communities alike. It compels us to critically examine our motivations when making significant life choices, urging us to prioritize God's revealed will and wisdom over our own desires, popular opinion, or the allure of worldly norms. When we choose self-reliance, seeking solutions and security apart from God's guidance, we often invite hardship and regret, finding ourselves "crying out" under the weight of self-inflicted burdens. The sobering truth that "the LORD will not hear you in that day" is a powerful reminder that while God is infinitely merciful and patient, there are indeed consequences for persistent rebellion against His loving authority. It challenges us to cultivate a posture of humble submission, trusting that God's plan, though sometimes counter-intuitive to human wisdom, is always for our ultimate good and leads to true flourishing. Our choices have profound spiritual ramifications, and sometimes, the Lord allows us to experience the bitter fruit of our own decisions as a means of profound teaching and discipline, drawing us back to dependence on Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life am I tempted to "choose my own king," prioritizing personal desires or worldly wisdom over God's revealed will?**
* **What are the potential "cries" or "burdens" that might arise from such self-willed choices?**
* **How does the concept of God "not hearing" in this context challenge my understanding of prayer and divine intervention?**
* **What practical steps can I take to ensure my decisions are rooted in seeking God's guidance and trusting in His sovereignty, rather than conforming to societal pressures?**

### FAQ
**Does "the LORD will not hear you" mean God stops caring about His people?**

Answer: No, "the LORD will not hear you" does not imply that God ceases to care for His people or that His compassion is exhausted. Instead, it signifies a specific, deliberate divine response to their persistent rejection of His direct rule and their insistence on a human king. It means God will not intervene to deliver them from the very consequences of the choice they made against His explicit warning. This is often a form of divine discipline, allowing them to experience the natural and spiritual repercussions of their self-willed path, thereby teaching them the profound lesson that true security and well-being are found only in submission to His benevolent governance. Other passages, like [Proverbs 1:28-31](/proverbs/1-28 "Proverbs 1:28-31 - Wisdom's Rejection and Consequences") and [Isaiah 1:15](/isaiah/1-15 "Isaiah 1:15 - Unheard Prayers Due to Sin"), illustrate similar principles where God withholds His immediate response when His people have stubbornly rejected His wisdom or engaged in unrepentant sin. His ultimate purpose remains redemptive, even through allowing hardship.

**Was it inherently wrong for Israel to have a king at all?**

Answer: No, it was not inherently wrong for Israel to have a king. In fact, the Law of Moses, specifically [Deuteronomy 17:14-20](/deuteronomy/17-14 "Deuteronomy 17:14-20 - Laws Concerning a King"), anticipates and provides regulations for the establishment of a monarchy. The problem was not the institution of kingship itself, but Israel's motivation and timing. They demanded a king "like all the nations" ([1 Samuel 8:5](/1_samuel/8-5 "1 Samuel 8:5 - Israel's Demand for a King")), rejecting God as their direct ruler ([1 Samuel 8:7](/1_samuel/8-7 "1 Samuel 8:7 - God Rejected as King")) and seeking a visible leader out of a lack of faith and a desire for worldly conformity, rather than waiting for God's appointed time and chosen leader. Their choice was a rejection of theocracy, not just a request for a new form of governance.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The warning in 1 Samuel 8:18, forecasting the oppressive reign of a human king and God's silence in the face of their cries, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate failure of all human kingship and the profound need for a divine, perfect King. Israel's self-chosen king would bring them bondage and unanswered prayers, illustrating humanity's pervasive tendency to choose self-rule over God's perfect reign, leading to suffering. This brokenness points directly to Jesus Christ, the true King of Israel and the world, who does not oppress but liberates. Unlike the kings who would "take" from their people, Jesus came "not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many" ([Matthew 20:28](/matthew/20-28 "Matthew 20:28 - The Son of Man Came to Serve")). He is the King who *hears* the cries of His people, not turning a deaf ear, but inviting all who are weary and burdened to find rest in Him ([Matthew 11:28-30](/matthew/11-28 "Matthew 11:28-30 - Jesus' Invitation to Rest")). He is the empathetic High Priest who understands our weaknesses and intercedes for us ([Hebrews 4:15-16](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15-16 - Jesus, Our Sympathetic High Priest")). The silent heavens of 1 Samuel 8:18 are shattered by the Incarnation, where God Himself dwells among us, full of grace and truth ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")). Jesus, the King of kings and Lord of lords ([Revelation 19:16](/revelation/19-16 "Revelation 19:16 - Jesus, King of Kings")), fulfills the longing for a perfect ruler, providing not oppression but everlasting peace, justice, and salvation, ensuring that those who choose Him will never cry out in vain.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Micah 3:4

Then shall they cry unto the LORD, but he will not hear them: he will even hide his face from them at that time, as they have behaved themselves ill in their doings.

Isaiah 1:15

And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood.

Proverbs 1:25

But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof:

Proverbs 1:28

Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me:

Isaiah 8:21

And they shall pass through it, hardly bestead and hungry: and it shall come to pass, that when they shall be hungry, they shall fret themselves, and curse their king and their God, and look upward.

Proverbs 21:13

¶ Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.

Psalms 18:41

They cried, but [there was] none to save [them: even] unto the LORD, but he answered them not.