1 Sam. 8 Samuel makes his sons judges over Israel; their names, and ill government, 1 Sam. 8:1–3. The people ask a king: Samuel is grieved; prays, 1 Sam. 8:4–6.

when Samuel was old, and so unable for his former travels and labours, he made his sons judges; not supreme judges, for such there was to be but one, and that of God’s choosing, and Samuel still kept that office in his own hands, 1 Sam.

In the southern border of the land of Canaan, where he placed his sons, because these parts were very remote from his house at Ramah; where, and in the neighbouring places, Samuel himself still executed the office of the judge; sending his sons to reside and judge in distant places, for the ease…

Opportunity and temptation drew forth and discovered the corruption in them, which till now was hid from their father, and, it may be, from themselves.

The elders; either for age, or dignity and power.

They feared that Samuel would not live long; and that either he through infirmity and indulgence might leave the government in his sons’ hands, or that they would invade and keep it after their father’s death; and therefore they jointly make their complaints against them, and procure their removal…

The thing displeased Samuel; not their complaint of his sons, but their desire of a king, as is apparent from the following words, and from the whole course of the story; which was so grievous to him, partly because of their injustice and ingratitude to himself, whose government, though it had been…

Hearken unto the voice of the people; God grants their desire in anger, and for their punishment, as is affirmed, Hos. 13:11, Num. 22:13, Num. 22:20, Deut. 1:22, Ps. 77:20. They have not rejected thee, i.e. not thee only, nor principally; compare Gen. 32:28, Ex. 16:7, Hos. 6:6, Matt.

Thou farest no worse than myself. This he speaks for Samuel’s comfort and vindication.

Protest solemnly unto them; that, if it be possible, thou mayst yet prevent their sin and misery. The manner of the king, i.e. of the kings which they desire, like the kings of other nations.

He will take your sons, to wit, injuriously and by violence, as this Hebrew word is oft used, as Gen. 20:3, Gen. 27:36, Job 5:5; and so it must be here; because otherwise the king would have no more privilege than any of his subjects; for any man might take a son with his own or parents’ consent.

He will appoint him, Heb. to or for himself emphatically, i.e. for his own fancy, or glory, or conveniency, or evil design, and not only when the necessities of the kingdom or commonwealth require it, as the judges did.

Which would be more grievous to their parents, and more dangerous to themselves, because of the tenderness of that sex, and liableness to many injuries.

He will take your fields, to wit, by fraud or force, as Ahab did from Naboth. And give them to his servants: He will not only take the fruits of your lands for his own use, but will take away your possessions to give to his servants.

He will take the tenth: besides the several tenths which God hath reserved for his service and servants, he will, when he pleaseth, impose another tenth upon you. To his officers, Heb.

By constraint, and without sufficient recompense

i.e. He shall use you like slaves, and deprive you of that liberty which you now enjoy.

Ye shall cry out in that day; ye shall bitterly mourn for the sad effects of this inordinate desire of a king. The Lord will not hear you in that day, because you will not hear him, nor obey his counsel, in this day. Compare Prov. 1:24;c. Zech. 7:13.

They said, Nay, i.e. these things shall never be, these are but vain suppositions to affright us from our purpose. Thus they are not ashamed to give Samuel the lie, of whose modesty, integrity, and prophetical spirit they had so great assurance, as if he had reigned those pretences merely to keep…

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, Num. 23:9, Deut. 33:28, as in other glorious privileges, so especially in this, that the Lord was their only and immediate King and Lawgiver.

He repeated them privately between God and himself; partly for his own vindication and comfort; and partly as a foundation for his prayers to God, for direction and assistance in this difficult case.

Betake yourselves to your several occasions, till you hear more from me in this matter; for God hath heard your words, and will give way to your irregular and obstinate desire; and accordingly I shall wait upon God for the determination of the person, which he hath wholly reserved to himself, as…