New International Version Then we will be like all the other nations, with a king to lead us and to go out before us and fight our battles.” New Living Translation “We want to be like the nations around us. Our king will judge us and lead us into battle.” English Standard Version 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.” Berean Standard Bible 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.” Berean Literal Bible that we also may be like all the nations, that our king may judge us and go out before us and fight our battles.” King James Bible 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. New King James Version 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.” New American Standard Bible so that we also may be like all the nations, and our king may judge us and go out before us and fight our battles.” NASB 1995 that we also may be like all the nations, that our king may judge us and go out before us and fight our battles.” NASB 1977 that we also may be like all the nations, that our king may judge us and go out before us and fight our battles.” Legacy Standard Bible that we also may be like all the nations, that our king may judge us and go out before us and fight our battles.” Amplified Bible so that we too may be like all the nations [around us], that our king may judge [and govern] us and go out before us and fight our battles.” Berean Annotated Bible 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.” Christian Standard Bible Then we’ll be like all the other nations: our king will judge us, go out before us, and fight our battles.” Holman Christian Standard Bible Then we’ll be like all the other nations: our king will judge us, go out before us, and fight our battles.” American Standard Version 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. English Revised Version 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. GOD'S WORD® Translation Then we, too, will be like all the other nations. Our king will judge us, lead us out [to war], and fight our battles." Good News Translation so that we will be like other nations, with our own king to rule us and to lead us out to war and to fight our battles." International Standard Version We, too, will be like all the nations! Our king will govern us and go out before us to fight our battles." NET Bible We will be like all the other nations. Our king will judge us and lead us and fight our battles." New Heart English Bible 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." Webster's Bible Translation 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. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleThen we will be like all the other nations, with a king to judge us, to go out before us, and to fight our battles.” World English Bible 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.” Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand we have been, even we, like all the nations; and our king has judged us, and gone out before us, and fought our battles.” Berean Literal Bible that we also may be like all the nations, that our king may judge us and go out before us and fight our battles.” Young's Literal Translation 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.' Smith's Literal Translation And we were as all the nations; and our king judged us and went out before us, and fought our battles. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd we also will be like all nations: and our king shall judge us, and go out before us, and tight our battles for us. Catholic Public Domain Version and we shall be just like all the Gentiles. And our king will judge us, and he will go out before us, and he will fight our wars for us.” New American Bible We too must be like all the nations, with a king to rule us, lead us in warfare, and fight our battles.” New Revised Standard Version so that we also may be like other nations, and that our king may govern us and go out before us and fight our battles.” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleThat we also may be like all the nations, and that our king may judge us and go out before us and fight our battles. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And we will also be like all of the nations, and our King will judge us, and he will go forth before us and he shall fight our battles!” OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917that we also may be like all the nations; and that our king may judge us, and go out before us, and fight our battles.' Brenton Septuagint Translation An we also will be like all the nations; and our king shall judge us, and shall go out before us, and fight our battles. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible (Voice ▾ Musical ▾) Context God Grants the Request19Nevertheless, 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.… Cross References Then we will be like all the other nations, Deuteronomy 17:14-15 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. Ezekiel 20:32 When you say, ‘Let us be like the nations, like the peoples of the lands, serving wood and stone,’ what you have in mind will never come to pass. Deuteronomy 14:2 for you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD has chosen you to be a people for His prized possession out of all the peoples on the face of the earth. with a king to judge us, Psalm 72:1-2 Of Solomon. Endow the king with Your justice, O God, and the son of the king with Your righteousness. / May he judge Your people with righteousness and Your afflicted with justice. Jeremiah 23:5 Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and He will reign wisely as King and will administer justice and righteousness in the land. Proverbs 29:14 A king who judges the poor with fairness—his throne will be established forever. to go out before us, Numbers 27:17 who will go out and come in before them, and who will lead them out and bring them in, so that the congregation of the LORD will not be like sheep without a shepherd.” 2 Samuel 5:2 Even in times past, while Saul was king over us, you were the one who led Israel out and brought them back. And to you the LORD said, ‘You will shepherd My people Israel, and you will be ruler over them.’” Deuteronomy 31:2-3 he said to them, “I am now a hundred and twenty years old; I am no longer able to come and go, and the LORD has said to me, ‘You shall not cross the Jordan.’ / The LORD your God Himself will cross over ahead of you. He will destroy these nations before you, and you will dispossess them. Joshua will cross ahead of you, as the LORD has said. and to fight our battles.” Deuteronomy 20:4 For the LORD your God goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory.” Exodus 14:14 The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.” Joshua 23:10 One of you can put a thousand to flight, because the LORD your God fights for you, just as He promised. Judges 8:23 But Gideon replied, “I will not rule over you, nor will my son. The LORD shall rule over you.” 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. 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.” Treasury of Scripture 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. 1 Samuel 8:5 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. Exodus 33:16 For wherein shall it be known here that I and thy people have found grace in thy sight? is it not in that thou goest with us? so shall we be separated, I and thy people, from all the people that are upon the face of the earth. Leviticus 20:24-26 But I have said unto you, Ye shall inherit their land, and I will give it unto you to possess it, a land that floweth with milk and honey: I am the LORD your God, which have separated you from other people… Jump to Previous Battles Conduct Judge Judged Lead Nations War WarsJump to Next Battles Conduct Judge Judged Lead Nations War Wars1 Samuel 8 1. By occasion of the ill government of Samuel's sons, the Israelites ask a king6. 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 Then we will be like all the other nations, Israel sought to exchange its distinct calling as God’s covenant people for the political patterns of the nations around them. Their request revealed dissatisfaction with the Lord’s rule and a desire for visible security. Deu 17:14-15 When you enter the land that the LORD your God is giving you… with a king to judge us, They wanted a permanent human ruler to govern the nation, administer justice, and provide national unity in the manner of surrounding kingdoms. Psa 72:1-2 Endow the king with Your justice, O God,… to go out before us, Israel desired a king who would visibly lead them, especially in times of danger, rather than trusting the God who had led them through judges and deliverers. Num 27:17 who will go out and come in before them,… and to fight our battles.” They looked to human military leadership for protection, though the Lord had repeatedly given them victory over their enemies. Their request prepared the way for Saul’s reign and exposed the conflict between reliance on God and confidence in human power. Deu 20:4 For the LORD your God goes with you to fight for you… Persons / Places / Events 1. SamuelThe last judge of Israel, a prophet who served as a bridge between the period of the judges and the monarchy. He was instrumental in anointing the first two kings of Israel, Saul and David. 2. Israelites The people of Israel who demanded a king to lead them, desiring to be like other nations despite God's unique covenant relationship with them. 3. God The sovereign ruler of Israel, who had been their king and leader, guiding them through prophets and judges. 4. Nations The surrounding peoples and kingdoms that had human kings, which the Israelites desired to emulate. 5. Monarchy The system of governance that the Israelites requested, marking a significant shift from the theocratic rule under judges to a centralized human monarchy. Teaching Points Desire for ConformityThe Israelites' request for a king reflects a human tendency to conform to societal norms rather than uphold distinctiveness as God's people. Believers today must guard against the pressure to conform to worldly standards. Leadership and Trust The demand for a king reveals a misplaced trust in human leadership over divine guidance. Christians are called to trust in God's sovereignty and His plans for leadership in their lives. Consequences of Choices Israel's choice to have a king led to both immediate and long-term consequences. Believers should consider the potential outcomes of their decisions, seeking God's wisdom and guidance. God's Sovereignty Despite Israel's rejection of His kingship, God remained sovereign and worked through the monarchy to fulfill His purposes. This reminds us that God can use even our misguided choices for His glory. Identity in Christ Just as Israel was called to be distinct, Christians are called to find their identity in Christ, not in the patterns of the world. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of 1 Samuel 8:20?2. Why did Israel desire a king "to lead us and go before us"? 3. How does 1 Samuel 8:20 reflect Israel's rejection of God's kingship? 4. What are the dangers of wanting to be "like all the other nations"? 5. How can Christians today avoid conforming to worldly desires and pressures? 6. What New Testament teachings warn against seeking human leadership over God's guidance? 7. Why did Israel desire a king like other nations in 1 Samuel 8:20? 8. How does 1 Samuel 8:20 reflect Israel's rejection of God's kingship? 9. What does 1 Samuel 8:20 reveal about human nature and leadership? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from 1 Samuel 8? (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.Israel’s plea in 1 Samuel 8:20 exposes a heart drifting from confident covenant trust to worldly imitation. They wanted sameness, human judgment, visible leadership, and military might, but each desire replaced God’s perfect provision with lesser substitutes. The verse warns believers today: clinging to the Lord’s unique calling, accepting His righteous rule, following His lead, and relying on His power remain the only sure path to blessing and victory. Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Then we willאֲנַ֖חְנוּ (’ă·naḥ·nū) Pronoun - first person common plural Strong's 587: We be וְהָיִ֥ינוּ (wə·hā·yî·nū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - first person common plural Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be like all כְּכָל־ (kə·ḵāl-) Preposition-k | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every the other nations, הַגּוֹיִ֑ם (hag·gō·w·yim) Article | Noun - masculine plural Strong's 1471: A foreign nation, a Gentile, a troop of animals, a flight of locusts with a king מַלְכֵּ֙נוּ֙ (mal·kê·nū) Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common plural Strong's 4428: A king to judge us, וּשְׁפָטָ֤נוּ (ū·šə·p̄ā·ṭā·nū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular | first person common plural Strong's 8199: To judge, pronounce sentence, to vindicate, punish, to govern, to litigate to go out וְיָצָ֣א (wə·yā·ṣā) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 3318: To go, bring, out, direct and proxim before us, לְפָנֵ֔ינוּ (lə·p̄ā·nê·nū) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common plural Strong's 6440: The face and to fight וְנִלְחַ֖ם (wə·nil·ḥam) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 3898: To feed on, to consume, to battle our battles.” מִלְחֲמֹתֵֽנוּ׃ (mil·ḥă·mō·ṯê·nū) Noun - feminine plural construct | first person common plural Strong's 4421: A battle, war Additonal Resources 1 Samuel 8:20 Blue Letter Bible1 Samuel 8:20 Bible Gateway 1 Samuel 8:20 Bible.com 1 Samuel 8:20 NIV |
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