King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 8:7 Mean?

1 Samuel 8:7 in the King James Version says “And the LORD said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not re...” — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 8 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

1 Samuel 8:7 · KJV

Context

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.

9

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. hearken: or, obey howbeit: or, notwithstanding when thou hast solemnly protested against them then thou shalt

Read 1 Samuel 8 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

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 · 20 words
יֹֽאמְר֖וּ1 of 20

“in all that they say”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָה֙2 of 20

“And the LORD”

H3068

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

אֶל3 of 20
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

שְׁמוּאֵ֔ל4 of 20

“unto Samuel”

H8050

shemuel, the name of three israelites

שְׁמַע֙5 of 20

“Hearken”

H8085

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

בְּק֣וֹל6 of 20

“unto the voice”

H6963

a voice or sound

הָעָ֔ם7 of 20

“of the people”

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

לְכֹ֥ל8 of 20
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

אֲשֶׁר9 of 20
H834

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

יֹֽאמְר֖וּ10 of 20

“in all that they say”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֵלֶ֑יךָ11 of 20
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

כִּ֣י12 of 20
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

לֹ֤א13 of 20
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

אֹֽתְךָ֙14 of 20
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

מָאֲס֖וּ15 of 20

“thee but they have rejected”

H3988

to spurn; also (intransitively) to disappear

כִּֽי16 of 20
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

אֹתִ֥י17 of 20
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

מָאֲס֖וּ18 of 20

“thee but they have rejected”

H3988

to spurn; also (intransitively) to disappear

מִמְּלֹ֥ךְ19 of 20

“me that I should not reign”

H4427

to reign; hence (by implication) to take counsel

עֲלֵיהֶֽם׃20 of 20
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

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 8:7 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 8:7 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Luke 10:161 Samuel 10:19Exodus 16:8Luke 19:27Luke 19:14Matthew 10:40

Test Your Knowledge

1 Samuel 8 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapter1 Samuel Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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