1 Samuel 8:20

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

Leeser Tanakh

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

19Nevertheless the people refused to listen to the voice of Samuel; and they said, No; but a king shall be over us;

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

Read all of 1 Samuel 8

Cross References

Exodus 33:16For wherein shall it be known in any wise that I have found grace in thy eyes, I with thy people? is it not in that thou goest with us? so shall we be distinguished, I and thy people, from all the people that are upon the face of the earth.

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

1 Samuel 8:5And said unto him, Behold, thou art old, and thy sons have not walked in thy ways: now appoint for us a king to judge us like all the nations.

Psalms 106:35But they mingled themselves among the nations, and learned their doings.

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 →

This Verse In Other Editions

Study 1 Samuel 8:20