8:1 he appointed his sons as judges over Israel Samuel makes his sons judges like himself (see 7:6, 15), but being a judge was not an office that could be inherited (compare Judg 8:22–23). It is therefore unsurprising that this move was not successful.

8:2 Beersheba The southern extremity of Israel’s territory, outside Samuel’s regular circuit (1 Sam 7:16).

8:3 sons did not walk Samuel’s sons are like Eli’s; they fail to practice righteousness or keep the law (compare 2:12 and note).

they took bribes, and they perverted justice Against the command of Deut 16:19.

8:4 the elders of Israel Probably refers to the leaders of the family clans and tribes (see Deut 31:28).

at Ramah Samuel’s base of operations (1 Sam 7:17).

8:5 your sons do not follow in your ways The reason they ask for a king.

like all the nations God had intended for Israel to be distinct from the other nations (Lev 20:26).

8:6 was displeasing to Samuel They rejected God as their king and Samuel as their judge.

Samuel prayed to Yahweh Prayer is always Samuel’s first response.

8:7 they have rejected me from being king God was Israel’s king; Samuel and other judges were His administrators (Num 23:21; Judg 8:22–23).

8:8 they have forsaken me and have served other gods See 1 Sam 7:3.

8:9 you must earnestly warn them God tells Samuel to appoint a king and to warn the people about what the king will do.

8:11 the king who will reign over you The people demand a king like all the other nations—and he will behave like all other kings, relying on taxation and conscription to maintain his rule.

he will take your sons and appoint Describes forced military service.

8:12 to do his plowing In addition to serving in the military, some Israelites will have to work and keep the king’s land.

8:14 will give them to his servants He will appropriate the best of the people’s land and give it to those who serve him.

8:15 a tenth of your seed Describes a tax.

8:16 best of your young men He will confiscate their best workers, both human and animal. See v. 14.

8:17 you yourselves will become his servants This is the climax of Samuel’s message. Israelites will no longer be free; they will be forced to work in support of the king and his kingdom.

8:18 you will cry out Recalls the motif from Judges, where the people cry out to God for deliverance from their oppressors (Judg 3:9, 15; 6:6). This time it is not a foreign oppressor but their own king.

whom you have chosen for yourselves Places the blame on the people who want a king like all the other nations have.

Yahweh will not answer you A result of their willful rejection of His rule.

8:19 the people refused to listen By disobeying Samuel, they disobey the voice of God as well.

8:20 fight our battles In addition to their apprehension about Samuel’s sons as leaders (1 Sam 8:5), the Israelites also want a king who will lead them in battle.