Bible Strands
1 Samuel 8:6
But when they said, “Give us a king to judge us,” their demand was displeasing in the sight of Samuel; so he prayed to the LORD.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The Israelite elders approach the aging prophet Samuel to demand an earthly monarch who will judge them like surrounding nations. Samuel processes this specific request before turning to prayer.
The words — The Hebrew phrase וַיֵּרַע הַדָּבָר בְּעֵינֵי שְׁמוּאֵל (va-yērā‘ ha-dāḇār bə-‘ênê šə-mū’ēl) literally renders "and the matter was displeasing in the eyes of Samuel." This denotes Samuel's immediate negative assessment of their demand for kingship.
The thread — The narrative shifts to the LORD's response that the people have rejected divine rule, not Samuel's leadership (1 Samuel 8:7). Later texts record God's regret over Saul's rebellion (1 Samuel 15:11) and warn that demanding a king constitutes a great evil (1 Samuel 12:17).
Why it lands — The text records Samuel's human distress and his immediate turn to prayer, establishing a pattern of seeking divine direction when human demands conflict with established order. It requires the reader to observe how prophetic response precedes theological explanation.
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
But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to judge us. And Samuel prayed unto the Lord.
Cross-references
- 1 Samuel 15:11 “I regret that I have made Saul king, for he has turned away from following Me and has not carried out My instructions.” And Samuel was distressed and cried out to the LORD all that night.
- 1 Samuel 12:17 Is it not the wheat harvest today? I will call on the LORD to send thunder and rain, so that you will know and see what a great evil you have committed in the sight of the LORD by asking for a king.”
- James 1:5 Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.
- Exodus 32:21 “What did this people do to you,” Moses asked Aaron, “that you have led them into so great a sin?”
- Exodus 32:32 Yet now, if You would only forgive their sin.... But if not, please blot me out of the book that You have written.”
- Numbers 16:15 Then Moses became very angry and said to the LORD, “Do not regard their offering. I have not taken one donkey from them or mistreated a single one of them.”
- Numbers 16:22 But Moses and Aaron fell facedown and said, “O God, the God of the spirits of all flesh, when one man sins, will You be angry with the whole congregation?”
- Numbers 16:46 Moses said to Aaron, “Take your censer, place fire from the altar in it, and add incense. Go quickly to the congregation and make atonement for them, because wrath has come out from the LORD; the plague has begun.”
- Ezra 9:3 When I heard this report, I tore my tunic and cloak, pulled out some hair from my head and beard, and sat down in horror.
- Psalms 109:4 In return for my love they accuse me, but I am a man of prayer.