1 Samuel 10:18
And said unto the children of Israel, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, I brought up Israel out of Egypt, and delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of all kingdoms, and of them that oppressed you:
Original Language Analysis
בְּנֵ֣י
unto the children
H1121
בְּנֵ֣י
unto the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
3 of 23
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
4 of 23
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
כֹּֽה
H3541
כֹּֽה
Strong's:
H3541
Word #:
5 of 23
properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now
יְהוָה֙
the LORD
H3068
יְהוָה֙
the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
7 of 23
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהֵ֣י
God
H430
אֱלֹהֵ֣י
God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
8 of 23
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
9 of 23
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
הֶֽעֱלֵ֥יתִי
I brought up
H5927
הֶֽעֱלֵ֥יתִי
I brought up
Strong's:
H5927
Word #:
11 of 23
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
12 of 23
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
13 of 23
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
וָֽאַצִּ֤יל
and delivered
H5337
וָֽאַצִּ֤יל
and delivered
Strong's:
H5337
Word #:
15 of 23
to snatch away, whether in a good or a bad sense
אֶתְכֶם֙
H853
אֶתְכֶם֙
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
16 of 23
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וּמִיַּד֙
and out of the hand
H3027
וּמִיַּד֙
and out of the hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
17 of 23
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
וּמִיַּד֙
and out of the hand
H3027
וּמִיַּד֙
and out of the hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
19 of 23
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
20 of 23
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הַמַּמְלָכ֔וֹת
of all kingdoms
H4467
הַמַּמְלָכ֔וֹת
of all kingdoms
Strong's:
H4467
Word #:
21 of 23
dominion, i.e., (abstractly) the estate (rule) or (concretely) the country (realm)
Historical Context
The Exodus served as Israel's foundational saving event, constantly referenced in covenant renewals and prophetic indictments. Reciting God's saving acts before addressing current issues followed ancient Near Eastern suzerainty treaty patterns, where the great king's beneficent history established grounds for vassal obligations.
Questions for Reflection
- How does remembering God's past faithfulness inform how we evaluate present desires?
- Why is it significant that Samuel grounds the kingship discussion in Exodus redemption?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And said unto the children of Israel, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, I brought up Israel out of Egypt, and delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of all kingdoms, and of them that oppressed you:
Samuel begins with the prophetic messenger formula 'Thus saith the LORD' (koh amar YHWH), establishing divine authority for his words. He rehearses Israel's redemptive history: the Exodus ('brought up from Egypt'), ongoing deliverance ('out of the hand of the Egyptians'), and continued salvation from 'all kingdoms' and oppressors throughout the judges period. This historical recitation (historical prologue) follows ancient covenant patterns where God's saving acts established the basis for Israel's obligations. The verb 'brought up' (he'eleti) implies more than geographical movement; it speaks of elevation, rescue, and purposeful deliverance. By grounding the kingship discussion in Exodus memory, Samuel frames Israel's request against God's faithful record. The implied question hangs in the air: given all God has done, why do you want a human king?