Albert Barnes Commentary 1 Samuel 8
Albert Barnes Commentary
1 Samuel 8
Albert Barnes Commentary
1 Samuel 8
"And it came to pass, when Samuel was old, that he made his sons judges over Israel." — 1 Samuel 8:1 (ASV)
This verse implies a long period, probably no less than twenty years, for which we have no account other than the brief notice in 1 Samuel 7:13–17. The general idea conveyed is of a time of peace and prosperity, similar to the periods under other judges.
"Now the name of his first-born was Joel; and the name of his second, Abijah: they were judges in Beer-sheba." — 1 Samuel 8:2 (ASV)
The mention of Beersheba, on the extreme southern frontier of Judah, as the place where Samuel’s sons judged Israel is remarkable. It was probably due to the recovery of territory from the usurpation of the Philistines (1 Samuel 7:14).
"But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to judge us. And Samuel prayed unto Jehovah." — 1 Samuel 8:6 (ASV)
The original text implies that this matter caused anger, indignation, or some revulsion of feeling . The Lord’s answer in 1 Samuel 8:7 shows that Samuel’s personal feelings had been hurt.
His feelings were soothed when he was reminded of the people's continued ingratitude toward God. In fact, God Himself was slighted even more than Samuel by this very request for a king like all the nations (John 15:18, 20). For further commentary on this event, see Hosea 13:9-11 and Acts 13:21-22.
"and he will appoint them unto him for captains of thousands, and captains of fifties; and [he will set some] to plow his ground, and to reap his harvest, and to make his instruments of war, and the instruments of his chariots." — 1 Samuel 8:12 (ASV)
This organization was as old as the time of Moses (Numbers 31:14; Deuteronomy 1:15) and also prevailed among the Philistines (1 Samuel 29:2). The civil and military divisions were identical, and the civil officers were the same as the captains of thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens in time of war.
To ear his ground - Literally, “to plow his plowing.” “To ear” is an old English word, now obsolete, for to plow.
"And he will take your fields, and your vineyards, and your oliveyards, even the best of them, and give them to his servants. And he will take the tenth of your seed, and of your vineyards, and give to his officers, and to his servants. And he will take your men-servants, and your maid-servants, and your goodliest young men, and your asses, and put them to his work. He will take the tenth of your flocks: and ye shall be his servants. And ye shall cry out in that day because of your king whom ye shall have chosen you; and Jehovah will not answer you in that day." — 1 Samuel 8:14-18 (ASV)
See illustrations: 1 Kings 5:13–18 and 1 Kings 12:4.
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