Bible Strands
1 Samuel 8:19
Nevertheless, the people refused to listen to Samuel. “No!” they said. “We must have a king over us.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The Israelites speak to Samuel immediately after he warns them that a human monarch will impose heavy burdens and that God will remain silent in their distress (1 Samuel 8:18).
The words — וַ/יְמָאֲנ֣וּ (va/y.ma.'a.Nu) translates literally as "and they refused," paired with לִ/שְׁמֹ֖עַ (li/sh.Mo.a') meaning "to listen." The construction denotes a deliberate, hardened rejection of the prophetic warning.
The thread — This pattern of defiant refusal to heed divine instruction appears in Jeremiah 44:16, Psalms 81:11, and Isaiah 66:4. Each passage records a community actively rejecting God's spoken word despite explicit consequences.
Why it lands — The text records an explicit demand for a king to judge, lead, and fight on their behalf rather than rely on prophetic counsel (1 Samuel 8:20). The reader must confront the choice between institutional human authority and direct submission to divine instruction.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Nevertheless the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel; and they said, Nay; but we will have a king over us;
Cross-references
- Jeremiah 44:16 “As for the word you have spoken to us in the name of the LORD, we will not listen to you!
- Psalms 81:11 But My people would not listen to Me, and Israel would not obey Me.
- Isaiah 66:4 So I will choose their punishment and I will bring terror upon them, because I called and no one answered, I spoke and no one listened. But they did evil in My sight and chose that in which I did not delight.”
- Jeremiah 7:13 And now, because you have done all these things, declares the LORD, and because I have spoken to you again and again but you would not listen, and I have called to you but you would not answer,
- Ezekiel 33:31 So My people come to you as usual, sit before you, and hear your words; but they do not put them into practice. Although they express love with their mouths, their hearts pursue dishonest gain.