1 Samuel 8:22

KJV

And the LORD 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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the LORD {H3068} said {H559} to Samuel {H8050}, Hearken {H8085} unto their voice {H6963}, and make {H4427} them a king {H4428}. And Samuel {H8050} said {H559} unto the men {H582} of Israel {H3478}, Go {H3212} ye every man {H376} unto his city {H5892}.

Complete Jewish Bible

ADONAI said to Sh'mu'el, "Do what they ask, and set up a king for them." So Sh'mu'el told the men of Isra'el, "Each of you, return to his city."

Berean Standard Bible

“Listen to their voice,” the LORD said to Samuel. “Appoint a king for them.” Then Samuel told the men of Israel, “Everyone must go back to his city.”

American Standard Version

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Samuel 8:22 marks a pivotal and complex moment in Israel's history, as the LORD, in response to the people's persistent and faithless demand for a human king, instructs Samuel to accede to their request. This verse signifies the formal, divinely sanctioned transition from the era of the judges, where God directly ruled as Israel's sovereign King, to the establishment of a human monarchy. Despite God's prior warnings through Samuel about the burdens and consequences of such a system, He permits Israel to have a king, demonstrating His divine sovereignty intertwined with a profound respect for human free will, even when that will deviates from His ideal plan for His covenant people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as the narrative climax of [1 Samuel 8](/1_samuel/8 "1 Samuel 8 - Israel Demands a King"), concluding the heated exchange between the elders of Israel, Samuel, and the LORD. The chapter opens with the elders' dissatisfaction with Samuel's corrupt sons, Joel and Abijah, whom he had appointed judges. Their explicit demand, "Now appoint for us a king to judge us like all the nations" ([1 Samuel 8:5](/1_samuel/8-5 "1 Samuel 8:5 - Israel's Demand for a King")), deeply displeased Samuel. However, the LORD revealed to Samuel that the people were not rejecting Samuel, but rather God Himself as their king ([1 Samuel 8:7](/1_samuel/8-7 "1 Samuel 8:7 - God's View of Israel's Rejection")). Despite Samuel's detailed and dire warnings about the oppressive nature of a human king—including conscription, taxation, and confiscation of land ([1 Samuel 8:11-18](/1_samuel/8-11-18 "1 Samuel's Warning about the King"))—the people remained resolute, insisting, "No! But there shall be a king over us, that we also may be like all the nations" ([1 Samuel 8:19-20](/1_samuel/8-19-20 "1 Samuel 8:19-20 - Israel's Persistent Demand")). Verse 22, therefore, represents God's ultimate concession to their stubborn will, setting the stage for the anointing of Saul as Israel's first king in the subsequent chapter ([1 Samuel 9](/1_samuel/9 "1 Samuel 9 - Saul Chosen as King")).

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** During the period of the judges, Israel's governance was a unique theocracy, where God was explicitly declared their King ([Judges 8:23](/judges/8-23 "Judges 8:23 - The Lord Shall Rule Over You")). In contrast, the surrounding Ancient Near Eastern societies were predominantly monarchical, with kings serving as military leaders, judges, and often, divine representatives. The Israelites' desire to "be like all the nations" ([1 Samuel 8:5](/1_samuel/8-5 "1 Samuel 8:5 - Israel's Demand for a King")) reflects a powerful cultural pressure to conform to the dominant political model of the time, rather than embracing their distinct covenant relationship with Yahweh. This longing for a visible, human leader stemmed from a lack of faith in God's invisible, yet active, rule and a perceived need for a strong central authority to unify them against external threats, particularly the formidable Philistines. The transition to monarchy, while permitted by God, was thus born out of a spiritual failing—a rejection of divine sovereignty in favor of human institution and worldly conformity.

* **Key Themes:** The central theme in this passage, and particularly throughout [1 Samuel 8](/1_samuel/8 "1 Samuel 8 - Israel Demands a King"), is the profound tension between divine sovereignty and human free will. God, though capable of imposing His perfect will, chooses to accommodate Israel's misguided desire for a king, allowing them to experience the consequences of their choices. This highlights the theme of **Divine Concession**, where God permits a less-than-ideal path for His people, demonstrating His patience and willingness to work within human decisions, even those rooted in unbelief. Another crucial theme is the **Transition of Leadership** from the charismatic, Spirit-empowered judges (like Samuel) to a hereditary or dynastic monarchy. This shift fundamentally altered Israel's governance and national identity, moving away from a direct theocracy. Finally, the narrative powerfully underscores the **Consequences of Rejecting Divine Guidance**. While God grants their request, the text makes it clear that this decision was a profound rejection of His direct rule ([1 Samuel 8:7](/1_samuel/8-7 "1 Samuel 8:7 - God's View of Israel's Rejection")), foreshadowing the future struggles, divisions, and spiritual compromises that would plague the monarchy throughout Israel's history.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Hearken (Hebrew, _shâmaʻ'_):** From H8085, this primitive root means "to hear intelligently," often implying "to listen attentively," "to obey," or "to comply." When the LORD tells Samuel to "Hearken unto their voice," it is not merely an instruction to listen to their words, but a divine command to actively comply with their demand. This signifies God's deliberate decision to grant their request, even though it was born out of a spirit of rejection. It highlights divine accommodation, where God, in His sovereignty, permits a course of action that is not His ideal, allowing His people to learn through experience.
* **Voice (Hebrew, _qôwl'_):** From H6963, this word refers to a "voice" or "sound," but in this context, it represents the collective utterance, demand, or will of the people. The phrase "Hearken unto their voice" emphasizes that God is responding directly to the expressed desire of the Israelites, even though that desire was rooted in a rejection of His direct rule. It underscores the weight of the people's unified demand and God's willingness to engage with their human agency.
* **Make (Hebrew, _mâlak'_):** From H4427, this primitive root means "to reign," but causatively, "to induct into royalty" or "to set up a king." Here, it carries the force of "to establish" or "to appoint." The command "make them a king" is a direct divine directive to Samuel to initiate the process of establishing a monarchy. It underscores that even though Israel's request was flawed, the institution of the monarchy itself would still be under God's ultimate sovereign control and would be used for His purposes, albeit through a path of human choosing.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the LORD said to Samuel, Hearken unto their voice, and make them a king."**: This first clause reveals God's direct instruction to Samuel. After the people's persistent and unified demand for a king, despite Samuel's warnings, the LORD commands Samuel to comply. The phrase "Hearken unto their voice" (literally, "listen to their voice" or "obey their voice") signifies God's concession to the people's will. It's a divine allowance, not an endorsement of their motivation, but a pragmatic step to move forward. God, in His sovereignty, permits this change, knowing that even through a human monarchy, His ultimate redemptive plan will unfold.
* **"And Samuel said unto the men of Israel, Go ye every man unto his city."**: This second clause details Samuel's immediate response to God's directive. By dismissing the people, instructing them to return to their homes, Samuel signifies the conclusion of this immediate confrontation and the beginning of a new phase. It implies that the decision has been made, the request granted, and the practical steps for establishing the monarchy will now commence. It also serves to disperse the assembly, allowing time for the divine selection of the king to take place and for the people to prepare for this significant shift in their national identity and governance.

#### Literary Devices
1 Samuel 8:22 employs several significant literary devices that enrich its meaning. The most prominent is **Divine Concession**, where God, despite His expressed displeasure and the people's rejection of His direct rule, grants their desire for a king. This is not an act of weakness but a profound demonstration of divine patience, a willingness to work within human choices, even flawed ones, to ultimately achieve His purposes. There is also a strong element of **Irony** present throughout the chapter, culminating in this verse. The people demand a king to be "like all the nations," believing it will bring stability and strength, yet Samuel's warnings (and subsequent history) reveal that this very desire for worldly conformity will lead to oppression, division, and spiritual decline. The verse also serves as a crucial point of **Transition**, marking the formal end of the era of judges and the beginning of the monarchy, a structural shift that will define the narrative for the remainder of 1 and 2 Samuel. Finally, the divine command to "make them a king" carries an element of **Foreshadowing**, setting the stage for the anointing of Saul and the subsequent unfolding of Israel's monarchical history, which will include both triumphs and profound failures, all under God's overarching sovereign hand.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Samuel 8:22 profoundly illustrates the complex interplay between divine will and human agency. While God's perfect will for Israel was a direct theocracy, where He alone reigned as King, He demonstrates His patient and accommodating nature by allowing His people to choose a path born of their own desires and lack of faith. This divine concession, though not ideal, underscores God's commitment to working within the framework of human choices to ultimately achieve His redemptive purposes. It reveals a God who respects human freedom, even when it leads to consequences, and who can sovereignly integrate human decisions into His overarching plan. The establishment of the monarchy, though initiated by human rejection, would eventually become the vehicle through which the Davidic covenant and the lineage of the Messiah would be established, demonstrating God's ability to redeem even human error.

* [Deuteronomy 17:14-20](/deuteronomy/17-14-20 "Deuteronomy 17:14-20 - Laws Concerning a King")
* [Hosea 13:11](/hosea/13-11 "Hosea 13:11 - God Gives a King in Anger")
* [Acts 13:21-22](/acts/13-21-22 "Acts 13:21-22 - Saul and David Appointed by God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The narrative of 1 Samuel 8:22 offers profound insights for believers today, serving as a timeless spiritual mirror. It reminds us that God, in His infinite wisdom and patience, sometimes allows us to pursue paths that we intensely desire, even if they are not His perfect or ideal will for our lives. This is not an abandonment, but often an opportunity for us to learn through experience, to confront the consequences of our choices, and to ultimately recognize the superiority of His ways. The Israelites' desire to "be like all the nations" serves as a timeless warning against conforming to worldly standards or seeking solutions outside of God's unique design for us. True wisdom and spiritual flourishing are found not in mimicking the world, but in trusting God's distinct plan and embracing our identity as His peculiar people. For those in leadership, Samuel's obedience in this difficult moment provides a challenging model: it highlights the necessity of obeying God's directives, even when they involve personally painful decisions or yielding to the will of those who may be rejecting divine principles. Ultimately, despite human failings and choices, God remains sovereign, continually working through all circumstances—even the establishment of a flawed monarchy—to fulfill His larger redemptive purposes and draw His people closer to Himself.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life might you be prioritizing conformity to "the nations" (cultural trends, societal expectations) over God's unique calling for you?**
* **Can you identify instances where God has allowed you to pursue a path that was not His ideal, and what lessons did you learn from that experience?**
* **How does God's patient concession in this passage challenge your understanding of His sovereignty and His relationship with human free will?**
* **What does Samuel's obedience to a difficult divine command teach us about leadership and submission to God's will?**

### FAQ
**Why did God allow Israel to have a king if it wasn't His ideal plan?**

Answer: God allowed Israel to have a king primarily due to His respect for human free will and His sovereign ability to work through imperfect human choices to achieve His ultimate purposes. While God's ideal for Israel was a direct theocracy, where He alone was their visible and invisible King, the people stubbornly rejected this, desiring a human monarch "like all the nations" ([1 Samuel 8:5](/1_samuel/8-5 "1 Samuel 8:5 - Israel's Demand for a King")). God recognized that their demand stemmed from a lack of faith and a rejection of His rule ([1 Samuel 8:7](/1_samuel/8-7 "1 Samuel 8:7 - God's View of Israel's Rejection")). However, instead of forcing His perfect will upon them, He conceded to their request. This divine concession demonstrates God's patience, His willingness to accommodate His people's desires, and His capacity to bring about His long-term redemptive plan even through human institutions that are not initially His perfect design. He allowed them to experience the consequences of their choice, ultimately using the monarchy to establish the lineage of David, from whom the Messiah would come.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
1 Samuel 8:22, though seemingly a narrative of human rejection and divine concession, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in several ways. The Israelites' demand for a human king, born out of a desire to conform to the world and a rejection of God's direct rule, foreshadows humanity's ultimate rejection of the perfect, divine King, Jesus Christ. Just as Israel desired a visible, earthly monarch, many in Jesus' day sought a political Messiah who would deliver them from Roman rule, rather than recognizing His spiritual kingdom ([John 18:36](/john/18-36 "John 18:36 - Jesus' Kingdom Is Not of This World")). The very people who should have welcomed their true King instead cried out, "We have no king but Caesar!" ([John 19:15](/john/19-15 "John 19:15 - We Have No King But Caesar!")), echoing Israel's ancient rejection of God's direct reign. Yet, in a remarkable display of divine sovereignty mirroring 1 Samuel 8:22, God "gave" them a king in anger ([Hosea 13:11](/hosea/13-11 "Hosea 13:11 - God Gives a King in Anger")), ultimately allowing the crucifixion of His Son, which, though a human act of rejection, was part of His predetermined plan for salvation ([Acts 2:23](/acts/2-23 "Acts 2:23 - The Crucifixion of Jesus")). Furthermore, the flawed human monarchy established in 1 Samuel 8:22 eventually led to the lineage of David, through whom the eternal King, Jesus, would be born ([Matthew 1:1](/matthew/1-1 "Matthew 1:1 - Genealogy of Jesus")). Thus, what began as a concession to human sin and unbelief ultimately became the historical pathway for the advent of the true King, the [King of Kings and Lord of Lords](/revelation/19-16 "Revelation 19:16 - King of Kings and Lord of Lords"), whose perfect and eternal reign far surpasses any earthly monarchy.

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

1 Samuel 8:7

And the LORD 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 reign over them.

Hosea 13:11

I gave thee a king in mine anger, and took [him] away in my wrath.