NOTES for Sa1 8:1-22

Samuel had to experience the same thing as Eli: his sons proved unworthy. It would seem that here was another argument against rigidly making the most important occupations hereditary. But the elders draw the opposite conclusion: they need a king, that is, a hereditary ruler.

The elders’ desire to have a form of government “like all the other nations,” namely the pagan nations, is revealing. The establishment of the monarchy is another departure by the Israelites from their calling, a sign of their unwillingness to belong to the Lord alone. This is why the Lord does not approve of the idea.

Yet even without approving it, He recognizes human freedom, including freedom in choosing forms of social and political organization, and allows Samuel to meet the people’s wishes. Samuel warns them in advance about the negative aspects of the form of government they desire. But the urge to become “like everyone else” is so strong that the Israelites do not consider the monarchy’s negative aspects too high a price.

Nevertheless, the prophetic warning about the consequences was spoken, and the people now face the need to answer for their own choice.