1 Samuel 8:5 "Look," they said, "you are old, and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now appoint a king to judge us like all the other nations."

◄ 1 Samuel 8:5 ►

New International Version
They said to him, “You are old, and your sons do not follow your ways; now appoint a king to lead us, such as all the other nations have.”

New Living Translation
“Look,” they told him, “you are now old, and your sons are not like you. Give us a king to judge us like all the other nations have.”

English Standard Version
and said to him, “Behold, you are old and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now appoint for us a king to judge us like all the nations.”

Berean Standard Bible
“Look,” they said, “you are old, and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now appoint a king to judge us like all the other nations.”

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
and said to him, “Look, you are old, and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now make us a king to judge us like all the nations.”

New American Standard Bible
and they said to him, “Behold, you have grown old, and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now appoint us a king to judge us like all the nations.”

NASB 1995
and they said to him, “Behold, you have grown old, and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now appoint a king for us to judge us like all the nations.”

NASB 1977
and they said to him, “Behold, you have grown old, and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now appoint a king for us to judge us like all the nations.”

Legacy Standard Bible
and they said to him, “Behold, you have grown old, and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now appoint a king for us to judge us like all the nations.”

Amplified Bible
and said to him, “Look, you have grown old, and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now appoint us a king to judge us [and rule over us] like all the other nations.”

Christian Standard Bible
They said to him, “Look, you are old, and your sons do not walk in your ways. Therefore, appoint a king to judge us the same as all the other nations have.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
They said to him, “Look, you are old, and your sons do not follow your example. Therefore, appoint a king to judge us the same as all the other nations have.”

American Standard Version
and they 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.

Contemporary English Version
and said, "You are an old man. You set a good example for your sons, but they haven't followed it. Now we want a king to be our leader, just like all the other nations. Choose one for us!"

English Revised Version
and they 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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
They told him, "You're old, and your sons aren't following your example. Now appoint a king to judge us so that we will be like all the other nations."

Good News Translation
and said to him, "Look, you are getting old and your sons don't follow your example. So then, appoint a king to rule over us, so that we will have a king, as other countries have."

International Standard Version
They told him, "Look, you're old, and your sons don't follow your example. So appoint a king to govern us like all the other nations."

Majority Standard Bible
“Look,” they said, “you are old, and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now appoint a king to judge us like all the other nations.”

NET Bible
They said to him, "Look, you are old, and your sons don't follow your ways. So now appoint over us a king to lead us, just like all the other nations have."

New Heart English Bible
and they said to him, "Look, you are old, and your sons do not walk in your ways: now make us a king to judge us like all the nations."

Webster's Bible Translation
And said to 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.

World English Bible
They said to him, “Behold, you are old, and your sons don’t walk in your ways. Now make us a king to judge us like all the nations.”

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
and say to him, “Behold, you have become aged, and your sons have not walked in your ways; now, appoint a king to us, to judge us, like all the nations.”

Young's Literal Translation
and say unto him, 'Lo, thou hast become aged, and thy sons have not walked in thy ways; now, appoint to us a king, to judge us, like all the nations.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And they will say to him, Behold, thou wert old, and thy sons went not in thy ways: now set up for us a king to judge us as all the nations.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
And they said to him: Behold thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways: make us a king, to judge us, as all nations have.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And they said to him: “Behold, you are elderly, and your sons do not walk in your ways. Appoint for us a king, so that he may judge us, just as all the nations have.”

New American Bible
and said to him, “Now that you are old, and your sons do not follow your example, appoint a king over us, like all the nations, to rule us.”

New Revised Standard Version
and said to him, “You are old and your sons do not follow in your ways; appoint for us, then, a king to govern us, like other nations.”

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
And they said to him, Behold, you are old, and your sons do not walk in your ways; now give us a king to judge us like all the nations.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And they said to him: “Behold, you are old, and your sons do not walk in your ways; now give us a King, that he would judge us like all the nations!”

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
And they 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.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
and they said to him, Behold, thou art grown old, and thy sons walk not in thy way; and now set over us a king to judge us, as also the other nations have.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Israel Demands a King
…4So all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah. 5“Look,” they said, “you are old, and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now appoint a king to judge us like all the other nations.” 6But 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 · Download

Cross References

Deuteronomy 17:14-20
When you enter the land that the LORD your God is giving you and have taken possession of it and settled in it, and you say, “Let us set a king over us like all the nations around us,” / you are to appoint over yourselves the king whom the LORD your God shall choose. Appoint a king from among your brothers; you are not to set over yourselves a foreigner who is not one of your brothers. / But the king must not acquire many horses for himself or send the people back to Egypt to acquire more horses, for the LORD has said, ‘You are never to go back that way again.’ ...

Hosea 13:10-11
Where is your king now to save you in all your cities, and the rulers to whom you said, “Give me a king and princes”? / So in My anger I gave you a king, and in My wrath I took him away.

Judges 8:22-23
Then the Israelites said to Gideon, “Rule over us—you and your son and grandson—for you have saved us from the hand of Midian.” / But Gideon replied, “I will not rule over you, nor will my son. The LORD shall rule over you.”

1 Samuel 12:12
But when you saw that Nahash king of the Ammonites was moving against you, you said to me, ‘No, we must have a king to rule over us’—even though the LORD your God was your king.

1 Samuel 10:19
But today you have rejected your God, who saves you from all your troubles and afflictions, and you have said to Him, ‘No, set a king over us.’ Now therefore present yourselves before the LORD by your tribes and clans.”

1 Samuel 12:17-19
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.” / So Samuel called to the LORD, and on that day the LORD sent thunder and rain. As a result, all the people greatly feared the LORD and Samuel. / They pleaded with Samuel, “Pray to the LORD your God for your servants so that we will not die! For we have added to all our sins the evil of asking for a king.”

1 Samuel 10:24
Samuel said to all the people, “Do you see the one the LORD has chosen? There is no one like him among all the people.” And all the people shouted, “Long live the king!”

1 Samuel 12:13
Now here is the king you have chosen, the one you requested. Behold, the LORD has placed a king over you.

1 Samuel 7:15-17
So Samuel judged Israel all the days of his life. / Every year he would go on a circuit from Bethel to Gilgal to Mizpah, judging Israel in all these places. / Then he would return to Ramah because his home was there, and there he judged Israel and built an altar to the LORD.

1 Samuel 9:16-17
“At this time tomorrow I will send you a man from the land of Benjamin, and you are to anoint him ruler over My people Israel; he will save them from the hand of the Philistines. For I have looked upon My people, because their cry has come to Me.” / When Samuel saw Saul, the LORD told him, “Here is the man of whom I spoke; he shall rule over My people.”

1 Kings 8:20
Now the LORD has fulfilled the word that He spoke. I have succeeded my father David, and I sit on the throne of Israel, as the LORD promised. I have built the house for the Name of the LORD, the God of Israel.

2 Kings 17:21
When the LORD had torn Israel away from the house of David, they made Jeroboam son of Nebat king, and Jeroboam led Israel away from following the LORD and caused them to commit a great sin.

2 Chronicles 36:1
Then the people of the land took Jehoahaz son of Josiah and made him king in Jerusalem in place of his father.

Isaiah 3:4-5
“I will make mere lads their leaders, and children will rule over them.” / The people will oppress one another, man against man, neighbor against neighbor; the young will rise up against the old, and the base against the honorable.

Jeremiah 2:13
“For My people have committed two evils: They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living water, and they have dug their own cisterns—broken cisterns that cannot hold water.

Treasury of Scripture

And said to him, Behold, you are old, and your sons walk not in your ways: now make us a king to judge us like all the nations.

now make

1 Samuel 8:6-8,19,20
But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to judge us. And Samuel prayed unto the LORD…

1 Samuel 12:17
Is it not wheat harvest to day? I will call unto the LORD, and he shall send thunder and rain; that ye may perceive and see that your wickedness is great, which ye have done in the sight of the LORD, in asking you a king.

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

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1 Samuel 8

1. By occasion of the ill government of Samuel's sons, the Israelites ask a king
6. Samuel praying in grief is comforted by God
10. He tells the manner of a king
19. God wills Samuel to yield unto the importunity of the people

Berean Study Bible

and said to him
This phrase introduces the direct communication between the elders of Israel and the prophet Samuel. In the Hebrew text, the word for "said" is "אָמַר" (amar), which is a common verb used for speaking or declaring. This moment is significant as it marks a pivotal point in Israel's history where the people are expressing their desires directly to their spiritual leader. The elders, representing the collective voice of the people, approach Samuel with a request that will alter the course of their nation. This highlights the importance of leadership and the weight of communal decision-making in biblical times.

Look
The Hebrew word here is "הִנֵּה" (hinneh), often translated as "behold" or "look." It is an attention-grabbing word, used to emphasize the importance of what follows. The elders are urging Samuel to pay close attention to their observation and concern. This word sets the stage for a significant announcement, indicating that what they are about to say is of great importance and requires immediate attention.

you are old
This phrase acknowledges Samuel's advanced age, which in the cultural context of ancient Israel, implies a transition of leadership. The Hebrew word for "old" is "זָקֵן" (zaqen), which can also mean elder or someone with authority and wisdom. However, in this context, it underscores the natural decline associated with aging and the need for a successor. The elders are respectfully pointing out that Samuel's ability to lead may be diminishing, and thus, a new form of governance is necessary.

and your sons do not walk in your ways
This statement is a critique of Samuel's sons, who are described as not following in their father's righteous footsteps. The Hebrew verb "walk" is "הָלַךְ" (halak), which metaphorically refers to one's conduct or way of life. The elders are highlighting a moral and spiritual deviation, suggesting that Samuel's sons are not fit to inherit his leadership role. This reflects a recurring biblical theme where the next generation fails to uphold the spiritual and ethical standards of their predecessors, leading to a crisis of leadership.

Now appoint a king
The request for a king marks a significant shift from the theocratic judgeship to a monarchy. The Hebrew word for "appoint" is "שִׂים" (sim), meaning to set or place. This request indicates a desire for a centralized, human authority figure, contrasting with the previous system where God was seen as the ultimate ruler. The elders' demand reflects a longing for stability and governance similar to surrounding nations, which will have profound implications for Israel's identity and relationship with God.

to judge us
The role of the king, as requested, is to "judge" or govern the people. The Hebrew word "שָׁפַט" (shaphat) means to judge, govern, or lead. This reflects the people's desire for a leader who will provide justice, order, and protection. It underscores the need for a human intermediary to execute laws and maintain societal structure, a role previously filled by judges like Samuel.

like all the other nations
This phrase reveals the underlying motivation for the elders' request: conformity to the surrounding nations. The desire to be "like all the other nations" indicates a shift in Israel's identity and mission. Historically, Israel was called to be distinct, a nation set apart to reflect God's holiness. This request signifies a tension between cultural assimilation and divine calling, highlighting the challenges of maintaining faithfulness amidst external influences. The elders' plea reflects a struggle that resonates throughout biblical history: the temptation to conform to worldly standards rather than uphold a unique covenant relationship with God.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(5) And said unto him.--They ground their request--which, however, they framed almost in the very terms used in the prophecy of the Law (Deuteronomy 17:14)--upon two circumstances: first, the age of Samuel, and his consequent inability to act as their leader in those perpetual wars and forays with the surrounding hostile nations; secondly, the degeneracy of his sons, who, placed by their father in positions of great trust, naturally looked to succeed him in his high dignity. They felt that the cares and duties of government were too weighty for Samuel, now growing old; and the men who through their kinship to him would naturally succeed him were utterly unfit for his office. The prospect before them was, they felt, a gloomy one. The Philistine power, too, was becoming daily greater in the south.

But what confidence must this assembly of elders have reposed in their aged judge to have used such a plea--his own growing infirmity and the unworthiness of his own sons, whom he had himself appointed to high offices! The elders of the people knew Samuel, the man of God, would do what was right and just--would give them the wisest counsel, utterly regardless of any private interest or feeling. The result justified their perfect confidence.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

“Look,”
הִנֵּה֙ (hin·nêh)
Interjection
Strong's 2009: Lo! behold!

they said,
וַיֹּאמְר֣וּ (way·yō·mə·rū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“you
אַתָּ֣ה (’at·tāh)
Pronoun - second person masculine singular
Strong's 859: Thou and thee, ye and you

are old,
זָקַ֔נְתָּ (zā·qan·tā)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 2204: To be or become old

and your sons
וּבָנֶ֕יךָ (ū·ḇā·ne·ḵā)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 1121: A son

do not
לֹ֥א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

walk
הָלְכ֖וּ (hā·lə·ḵū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk

in your ways.
בִּדְרָכֶ֑יךָ (biḏ·rā·ḵe·ḵā)
Preposition-b | Noun - common plural construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 1870: A road, a course of life, mode of action

Now
עַתָּ֗ה (‘at·tāh)
Adverb
Strong's 6258: At this time

appoint
שִֽׂימָה־ (śî·māh-)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 7760: Put -- to put, place, set

a king
מֶ֛לֶךְ (me·leḵ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king

to judge us
לְשָׁפְטֵ֖נוּ (lə·šā·p̄ə·ṭê·nū)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | first person common plural
Strong's 8199: To judge, pronounce sentence, to vindicate, punish, to govern, to litigate

like all
כְּכָל־ (kə·ḵāl-)
Preposition-k | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

the other nations.”
הַגּוֹיִֽם׃ (hag·gō·w·yim)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 1471: A foreign nation, a Gentile, a troop of animals, a flight of locusts

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OT History: 1 Samuel 8:5 And they said to him Behold you (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa)