King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 8:6 Mean?

1 Samuel 8:6 in the King James Version says “But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to judge us. And Samuel prayed unto the LORD. displeased...” — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 8 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to judge us. And Samuel prayed unto the LORD. displeased: Heb. was evil in the eyes of”

1 Samuel 8:6 · KJV

Prayer

Context

4

Then all the elders of Israel gathered themselves together, and came to Samuel unto Ramah,

5

And 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 the LORD. displeased: Heb. was evil in the eyes of

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.

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, wherewith they have forsaken me, and served other gods, so do they also unto thee.

Read 1 Samuel 8 full chapter

Commentary

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

Israel's demand for a king represents fundamental rejection of God's direct rule over His people. The desire to be 'like all the nations' reveals spiritual apostasy—seeking conformity to surrounding culture rather than maintaining distinctive covenant identity. While God permits the monarchy, He clearly warns about its costs: oppression, taxation, military conscription. This passage teaches the difference between God's permissive will and His perfect plan, showing how He works even through flawed human institutions to accomplish His redemptive purposes.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The establishment of monarchy around 1050-1010 BCE represented a dramatic political and theological shift for Israel. Unlike surrounding nations where kings were considered divine or semi-divine, Israel's kings were supposed to function under God's ultimate authority as laid out in Deuteronomy 17:14-20. The Benjamite tribe occupied strategic territory between Ephraim and Judah, making Saul's selection a politically astute choice to balance tribal rivalries. Archaeological remains from this period show increased fortification and centralization of settlements, confirming the transition to state-level organization. Ancient Near Eastern monarchies (Egypt, Mesopotamian city-states, Hittites) provided the cultural context for Israel's understanding of kingship. However, Israel's covenant with Yahweh created unique tensions between human and divine authority. The transition from tribal confederation to centralized monarchy occurred throughout the ancient world during this period, often in response to external military threats.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this passage deepen our understanding of God's character, purposes, and ways of working in human history?
  2. What specific heart attitudes, thought patterns, or life practices does this passage call you to examine or change?
  3. How does this passage connect to the larger biblical narrative of redemption and point toward Christ and the gospel?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 14 words
וַיֵּ֤רַע1 of 14

“displeased”

H3415

properly, to be broken up (with any violent action) i.e., (figuratively) to fear

הַדָּבָר֙2 of 14

“But the thing”

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

בְּעֵינֵ֣י3 of 14
H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

שְׁמוּאֵ֖ל4 of 14

“Samuel”

H8050

shemuel, the name of three israelites

כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֣ר5 of 14
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

אָֽמְר֔וּ6 of 14

“when they said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

תְּנָה7 of 14

“Give”

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

לָּ֥נוּ8 of 14
H0
מֶ֖לֶךְ9 of 14

“us a king”

H4428

a king

לְשָׁפְטֵ֑נוּ10 of 14

“to judge”

H8199

to judge, i.e., pronounce sentence (for or against); by implication, to vindicate or punish; by extenssion, to govern; passively, to litigate (literal

וַיִּתְפַּלֵּ֥ל11 of 14

“prayed”

H6419

to judge (officially or mentally); by extension, to intercede, pray

שְׁמוּאֵ֖ל12 of 14

“Samuel”

H8050

shemuel, the name of three israelites

אֶל13 of 14
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

יְהוָֽה׃14 of 14

“unto the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 Samuel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 Samuel 8:6 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 1 Samuel 8:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Samuel 15:11James 1:51 Samuel 12:17Numbers 16:22Psalms 109:4Exodus 32:32

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