1 Samuel 8:20

that we also may be like all the nations; and that our king may judge us, and go out before us, and fight our battles.'

JPS TaNaKH 1917

In The King James Version

That we also may be like all the nations; and that our king may judge us, and go out before us, and fight our battles.

In Context

19But the people refused to hearken unto the voice of Samuel; and they said: 'Nay; but there shall be a king over us;

21And Samuel heard all the words of the people, and he spoke them in the ears of the LORD.

Read all of 1 Samuel 8

Cross References

Exodus 33:16For wherein now shall it be known that I have found grace in Thy sight, I and Thy people? is it not in that Thou goest with us, so that we are distinguished, I and Thy people, from all the people that are upon the face of the earth?'

Numbers 23:9For from the top of the rocks I see him, and from the hills I behold him: lo, it is a people that shall dwell alone, and shall not be reckoned among the nations.

1 Samuel 8:5And they 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.'

Psalms 106:35But mingled themselves with the nations, and learned their works;

Matthew Henry on 1 Samuel 8:5-22

The People Desire a King; God's Answer to Israel; The People Insist on Having a King. ( b. c. 1075.) 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 . 7 And the Lord said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that… Read the whole commentary →

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Study 1 Samuel 8:20