1 Samuel 8:20
1 Samuel 8:20 in Multiple Translations
Then we will be like all the other nations, with a king to judge us, to go out before us, and to fight our battles.”
That we also may be like all the nations; and that our king may judge us, and go out before us, and fight our battles.
that we also may be like all the nations, and that our king may judge us, and go out before us, and fight our battles.
So that we may be like the other nations, and so that our king may be our judge and go out before us to war.
That way we can be like all the other nations. Our king will rule us, and will lead us when we go out to fight our battles.”
And we also will be like all other nations, and our King shall iudge vs, and goe out before vs, and fight our battels.
and we have been, even we, like all the nations; and our king hath judged us, and gone out before us, and fought our battles.'
that we also may be like all the nations; and that our king may judge us, and go out before us, and fight our battles.”
That we also may be like all the nations; and that our king may judge us, and go out before us, and fight our battles.
And we also will be like all nations: and our king shall judge us, and go out before us, and tight our battles for us.
We want to be like the other nations. We want a king to rule us and to lead our soldiers when they go to fight.”
In other places there is a big boss. We want that here too. We want a big boss to lead us whenever we fight with other mobs.”
Berean Amplified Bible — 1 Samuel 8:20
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
1 Samuel 8:20 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וְ/הָיִ֥ינוּ
גַם
אֲנַ֖חְנוּ
כְּ/כָל
הַ/גּוֹיִ֑ם
וּ/שְׁפָטָ֤/נוּ
מַלְכֵּ֨/נוּ֙
וְ/יָצָ֣א
לְ/פָנֵ֔י/נוּ
וְ/נִלְחַ֖ם
אֶת
מִלְחֲמֹתֵֽ/נוּ
וְ/הָיִ֥ינוּ
hâyâh
H1961
to be
Conj | V-Qal-1cp
גַם
gam
H1571
also
Adv
אֲנַ֖חְנוּ
ʼănachnûw
H587
we
Pron
כְּ/כָל
kôl
H3605
all
Prep | N-ms
הַ/גּוֹיִ֑ם
gôwy
H1471
Gentile
Art | N-mp
וּ/שְׁפָטָ֤/נוּ
shâphaṭ
H8199
to judge
Conj | V-Qal-3ms | Suff
מַלְכֵּ֨/נוּ֙
melek
H4428
King's
N-ms | Suff
וְ/יָצָ֣א
yâtsâʼ
H3318
to come out
Conj | V-Qal-3ms
לְ/פָנֵ֔י/נוּ
pânîym
H6440
face
Prep | N-cp | Suff
וְ/נִלְחַ֖ם
lâcham
H3898
to fight
Conj | V-Niphal-3ms
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
DirObjM
מִלְחֲמֹתֵֽ/נוּ
milchâmâh
H4421
battle
N-fp | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — 1 Samuel 8:20
וְ/הָיִ֥ינוּ
hâyâh
H1961
"to be"
Conj | V-Qal-1cp
The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.
Definition: 1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) --- 1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass 1a1b) to come about, come to pass 1a2) to come into being, become 1a2a) to arise, appear, come 1a2b) to become 1a2b1) to become 1a2b2) to become like 1a2b3) to be instituted, be established 1a3) to be 1a3a) to exist, be in existence 1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) 1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality) 1a3d) to accompany, be with 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about 1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone
Usage: Occurs in 3131 OT verses. KJV: beacon, [idiom] altogether, be(-come), accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint, fall, [phrase] follow, happen, [idiom] have, last, pertain, quit (one-) self, require, [idiom] use. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 17:4; Genesis 36:11.
גַם
gam
H1571
"also"
Adv
Also means 'even' or 'too', used for emphasis or to connect ideas, like 'both...and' or 'neither...nor'. It can introduce a climax or show contrast.
Definition: 1) also, even, indeed, moreover, yea 1a) also, moreover (giving emphasis) 1b) neither, neither...nor (with negative) 1c) even (for stress) 1d) indeed, yea (introducing climax) 1e) also (of correspondence or retribution) 1f) but, yet, though (adversative) 1g) even, yea, yea though (with 'when' in hypothetical case) 2) (TWOT) again, alike
Usage: Occurs in 661 OT verses. KJV: again, alike, also, (so much) as (soon), both (so)...and, but, either...or, even, for all, (in) likewise (manner), moreover, nay...neither, one, then(-refore), though, what, with, yea. See also: Genesis 3:6; Exodus 19:9; 1 Samuel 14:21.
אֲנַ֖חְנוּ
ʼănachnûw
H587
"we"
Pron
A Hebrew word for we or us, used for emphasis, like when Moses said we will follow God's commands, emphasizing the community's commitment.
Definition: we (first pers. pl. -usually used for emphasis)
Usage: Occurs in 115 OT verses. KJV: ourselves, us, we. See also: Genesis 13:8; 1 Chronicles 11:1; Psalms 20:8.
כְּ/כָל
kôl
H3605
"all"
Prep | N-ms
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
Usage: Occurs in 4242 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.
הַ/גּוֹיִ֑ם
gôwy
H1471
"Gentile"
Art | N-mp
This word refers to a Gentile, someone who is not Hebrew or Israeli. It can also describe a large group of animals or a nation of people, emphasizing their unity and shared identity.
Definition: 1) nation, people 1a) nation, people 1a1) usually of non-Hebrew people 1a2) of descendants of Abraham 1a3) of Israel 1b) of swarm of locusts, other animals (fig.) 1c) Goyim? = "nations" Also named: ethnos (ἔθνος "Gentiles" G1484)
Usage: Occurs in 511 OT verses. KJV: Gentile, heathen, nation, people. See also: Genesis 10:5; Judges 4:16; Psalms 2:1.
וּ/שְׁפָטָ֤/נוּ
shâphaṭ
H8199
"to judge"
Conj | V-Qal-3ms | Suff
To shaphat means to judge or govern, and can also mean to vindicate or punish. In the Bible, this term is often used to describe God's role as a judge, as well as human judges and rulers.
Definition: 1) to judge, govern, vindicate, punish 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to act as law-giver or judge or governor (of God, man) 1a1a) to rule, govern, judge 1a2) to decide controversy (of God, man) 1a3) to execute judgment 1a3a) discriminating (of man) 1a3b) vindicating 1a3c) condemning and punishing 1a3d) at theophanic advent for final judgment 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to enter into controversy, plead, have controversy together 1b2) to be judged 1c) (Poel) judge, opponent-at-law (participle)
Usage: Occurs in 182 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] avenge, [idiom] that condemn, contend, defend, execute (judgment), (be a) judge(-ment), [idiom] needs, plead, reason, rule. See also: Genesis 16:5; Psalms 9:5; Psalms 2:10.
מַלְכֵּ֨/נוּ֙
melek
H4428
"King's"
N-ms | Suff
This word refers to a king or royal person, like King David or King Saul. It can also describe something related to a king, like the King's Valley in Genesis. The Bible often uses this word to talk about the rulers of Israel.
Definition: King's (Valley) (Gen.14.17)
Usage: Occurs in 1919 OT verses. KJV: king, royal. See also: Genesis 14:1; Joshua 10:39; 1 Samuel 16:1.
וְ/יָצָ֣א
yâtsâʼ
H3318
"to come out"
Conj | V-Qal-3ms
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to go out or come out, and it's used in many different ways, like leaving a place or starting a new journey, as seen in Genesis and Exodus.
Definition: : come/go_out/escape 1) to go out, come out, exit, go forth 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to go or come out or forth, depart 1a2) to go forth (to a place) 1a3) to go forward, proceed to (to or toward something) 1a4) to come or go forth (with purpose or for result) 1a5) to come out of 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to cause to go or come out, bring out, lead out 1b2) to bring out of 1b3) to lead out 1b4) to deliver 1c) (Hophal) to be brought out or forth
Usage: Occurs in 991 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] after, appear, [idiom] assuredly, bear out, [idiom] begotten, break out, bring forth (out, up), carry out, come (abroad, out, thereat, without), [phrase] be condemned, depart(-ing, -ure), draw forth, in the end, escape, exact, fail, fall (out), fetch forth (out), get away (forth, hence, out), (able to, cause to, let) go abroad (forth, on, out), going out, grow, have forth (out), issue out, lay (lie) out, lead out, pluck out, proceed, pull out, put away, be risen, [idiom] scarce, send with commandment, shoot forth, spread, spring out, stand out, [idiom] still, [idiom] surely, take forth (out), at any time, [idiom] to (and fro), utter. See also: Genesis 1:12; Exodus 9:33; Leviticus 26:45.
לְ/פָנֵ֔י/נוּ
pânîym
H6440
"face"
Prep | N-cp | Suff
This word means face or presence, like being in front of someone or something. It's used in many contexts, like in Genesis, Exodus, and Psalms, to describe interactions and relationships.
Definition: : face 1) face 1a) face, faces 1b) presence, person 1c) face (of seraphim or cherubim) 1d) face (of animals) 1e) face, surface (of ground) 1f) as adv of loc/temp 1f1) before and behind, toward, in front of, forward, formerly, from beforetime, before 1g) with prep 1g1) in front of, before, to the front of, in the presence of, in the face of, at the face or front of, from the presence of, from before, from before the face of
Usage: Occurs in 1891 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] accept, a-(be-) fore(-time), against, anger, [idiom] as (long as), at, [phrase] battle, [phrase] because (of), [phrase] beseech, countenance, edge, [phrase] employ, endure, [phrase] enquire, face, favour, fear of, for, forefront(-part), form(-er time, -ward), from, front, heaviness, [idiom] him(-self), [phrase] honourable, [phrase] impudent, [phrase] in, it, look(-eth) (-s), [idiom] me, [phrase] meet, [idiom] more than, mouth, of, off, (of) old (time), [idiom] on, open, [phrase] out of, over against, the partial, person, [phrase] please, presence, propect, was purposed, by reason of, [phrase] regard, right forth, [phrase] serve, [idiom] shewbread, sight, state, straight, [phrase] street, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them(-selves), through ([phrase] -out), till, time(-s) past, (un-) to(-ward), [phrase] upon, upside ([phrase] down), with(-in, [phrase] -stand), [idiom] ye, [idiom] you. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 43:31; Exodus 30:16.
וְ/נִלְחַ֖ם
lâcham
H3898
"to fight"
Conj | V-Niphal-3ms
In the Bible, this word means to feed on or consume something, often referring to eating food or battling against someone. It's used in stories like David's battles and the Israelites' struggles in the wilderness.
Definition: 1) to fight, do battle, make war 1a) (Qal) to fight, do battle 1b) (Niphal) to engage in battle, wage war
Usage: Occurs in 171 OT verses. KJV: devour, eat, [idiom] ever, fight(-ing), overcome, prevail, (make) war(-ring). See also: Exodus 1:10; 2 Samuel 8:10; Psalms 35:1.
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
מִלְחֲמֹתֵֽ/נוּ
milchâmâh
H4421
"battle"
N-fp | Suff
This word means battle or war, describing a fight or conflict. It is used in the Bible to talk about wars and battles, like the ones in the book of Joshua. The KJV translates it as battle or fight.
Definition: battle, war
Usage: Occurs in 308 OT verses. KJV: battle, fight(-ing), war(-rior). See also: Genesis 14:2; 1 Samuel 30:24; 2 Chronicles 13:14.
Study Notes — 1 Samuel 8:20
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- 1 Samuel 8:20 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on 1 Samuel 8:20
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Samuel 8:20
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Samuel 8:20
- Trapp's Commentary on 1 Samuel 8:20
- Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Samuel 8:20
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on 1 Samuel 8:20
- Cambridge Bible on 1 Samuel 8:20
- Barnes' Notes on 1 Samuel 8:20
- Sermons on 1 Samuel 8:20
Context — God Grants the Request
18When that day comes, you will beg for relief from the king you have chosen, but the LORD will not answer you on that day.”
19Nevertheless, the people refused to listen to Samuel. “No!” they said. “We must have a king over us.
20Then we will be like all the other nations, with a king to judge us, to go out before us, and to fight our battles.”
21Samuel listened to all the words of the people and repeated them in the hearing of the LORD. 22“Listen to their voice,” the LORD said to Samuel. “Appoint a king for them.” Then Samuel told the men of Israel, “Everyone must go back to his city.”Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 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.” |
| 2 | Psalms 106:35 | but they mingled with the nations and adopted their customs. |
| 3 | Deuteronomy 7:6 | For you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for His prized possession out of all peoples on the face of the earth. |
| 4 | Leviticus 20:24–26 | But I have told you that you will inherit their land, since I will give it to you as an inheritance—a land flowing with milk and honey. I am the LORD your God, who has set you apart from the peoples. You are therefore to distinguish between clean and unclean animals and birds. Do not become contaminated by any animal or bird, or by anything that crawls on the ground; I have set these apart as unclean for you. You are to be holy to Me because I, the LORD, am holy, and I have set you apart from the nations to be My own. |
| 5 | 2 Corinthians 6:17 | “Therefore come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.” |
| 6 | 1 Peter 2:9 | But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. |
| 7 | Romans 12:12 | Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, persistent in prayer. |
| 8 | Exodus 33:16 | For how then can it be known that Your people and I have found favor in Your sight, unless You go with us? How else will we be distinguished from all the other people on the face of the earth?” |
| 9 | Numbers 23:9 | For I see them from atop the rocky cliffs, and I watch them from the hills. Behold, a people dwelling apart, not reckoning themselves among the nations. |
| 10 | John 15:19 | If you were of the world, it would love you as its own. Instead, the world hates you, because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. |
1 Samuel 8:20 Summary
The Israelites wanted a king to judge them and fight their battles, just like the other nations, as stated in 1 Samuel 8:20. They wanted someone they could see and trust in, instead of trusting in God, who they couldn't see. This desire to trust in human leaders instead of God is a theme throughout the Bible, as seen in Jeremiah 17:5. We can learn from the Israelites' mistake by trusting in God and not in human leaders or institutions, as stated in Proverbs 3:5-6, and remembering that God is our ultimate leader and protector, as seen in Psalm 23:1-4.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the Israelites want a king to judge them and fight their battles?
The Israelites wanted a king to judge them and fight their battles because they wanted to be like the other nations, as stated in 1 Samuel 8:20, and have a visible leader to trust in instead of God, which is similar to the mindset in Deuteronomy 17:14 where they wanted to be like the nations around them.
Is it wrong to want a leader to guide and protect us?
No, it's not wrong to want a leader, but the problem arises when we trust more in human leaders than in God, as seen in Psalm 20:7 where trust in chariots and horses is contrasted with trust in the name of the Lord our God.
How does this verse relate to the concept of trusting in God versus trusting in human leaders?
This verse highlights the Israelites' desire to trust in a human king instead of God, which is a theme seen throughout the Bible, such as in Jeremiah 17:5 where cursed are those who trust in man and make flesh their strength.
What can we learn from the Israelites' request for a king in this verse?
We can learn that it's essential to trust in God and not in human leaders or institutions, as stated in Proverbs 3:5-6, where we are told to trust in the Lord with all our heart and not lean on our own understanding.
Reflection Questions
- What are some areas in my life where I am trusting in human leaders or institutions instead of God?
- How can I apply the principle of trusting in God instead of human leaders in my daily life, as seen in 1 Samuel 8:20?
- What are some ways I can cultivate a deeper trust in God, just like the Psalmist in Psalm 37:3-7?
- In what ways can I be like the Israelites, wanting a visible leader to follow instead of trusting in God's sovereignty, and how can I change this mindset?
Gill's Exposition on 1 Samuel 8:20
That we also may be like all the nations,.... Even though they were slaves, like them; a king they would have, as they had, such was their stupidity.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Samuel 8:20
That we also may be like all the nations; and that our king may judge us, and go out before us, and fight our battles. That we also may be like all the nations.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Samuel 8:20
That we also may be like all the nations: woeful stupidity! whereas it was their glory and happiness that they were unlike all other nations, , as in other glorious privileges, so especially in this, that the Lord was their only and immediate King and Lawgiver.
Trapp's Commentary on 1 Samuel 8:20
1 Samuel 8:20 That we also may be like all the nations; and that our king may judge us, and go out before us, and fight our battles.Ver. 20. That we also may.] So ambitious they were of losing their liberty, being heroines ad servitutem parati, as Tiberius said of the Romans.
Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Samuel 8:20
(20) Like all the nations.—There is something strangely painful in these terms with which the elders urged their request—the wish “to be like other nations” seems to have been very strong with them. They forgot, or chose to ignore, the solitary position of lofty pre-eminence God had given them among the nations. They had, it is true, failed to comprehend it in past, as in present days, but this haste to give up their lofty privileges, and to descend from the pedestal on which their God had set them, was in the eye of one like Samuel a strange inexplicable foolishness.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on 1 Samuel 8:20
Verse 20. May judge us] This appears to be a rejection of Samuel. Go out before us] Be in every respect our head and governor. And fight our battles.] Be the general of our armies.
Cambridge Bible on 1 Samuel 8:20
20. that our king may judge us and go out before us] The king was to unite the duties of (1) government of the nation in time of peace, and (2) leadership of the army in time of war.
Barnes' Notes on 1 Samuel 8:20
Fight our battles - It appears from 1 Samuel 12:12, that the warlike movements of Nahash had already begun to excite alarm.
Sermons on 1 Samuel 8:20
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
David - the Fulfiller of God's Will by Devern Fromke | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the unification of the scattered tribes of Israel under the leadership of David. He emphasizes that the people had never been unified in a kin |
|
The Making of a Prophet by T. Austin-Sparks | T. Austin-Sparks emphasizes that prophetic ministry is an eternal function rooted in God's divine counsel, not merely a role one can adopt. He illustrates this through the symbolis |
|
Give Us a King! by George Warnock | George Warnock discusses the transition of Israel from a theocracy to a monarchy, emphasizing that their desire for a king stemmed from a longing to be like the surrounding nations |
|
The Samuel Company by David Wilkerson | David Wilkerson calls for a revival of the 'Samuel Company,' a group of believers who hear God's voice and grieve over the backslidden state of the Church. He emphasizes the need f |
|
The Lord's Prayer by Thomas Watson | Thomas Watson expounds on 'The Lord's Prayer,' particularly the petition 'Deliver us from evil,' emphasizing the need for divine protection from the evils of the world, our own hea |
|
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The Horizon of Divine Purpose - Part 1 by T. Austin-Sparks | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of seeing the person and purpose as interconnected. They express a strong burden for delivering this message and believe it is |
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(Saved Through the Fire) 04 - Love & Righteousness by Milton Green | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of loving and encouraging one another, as words can hurt. He expresses a desire to share the teachings with the Pope, emphasiz |