1 Samuel 10:25
Then Samuel told the people the manner of the kingdom, and wrote it in a book, and laid it up before the LORD. And Samuel sent all the people away, every man to his house.
Original Language Analysis
וַיְדַבֵּ֨ר
told
H1696
וַיְדַבֵּ֨ר
told
Strong's:
H1696
Word #:
1 of 19
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
הָעָ֖ם
all the people
H5971
הָעָ֖ם
all the people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
4 of 19
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
אֵ֚ת
H853
אֵ֚ת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
5 of 19
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
מִשְׁפַּ֣ט
the manner
H4941
מִשְׁפַּ֣ט
the manner
Strong's:
H4941
Word #:
6 of 19
properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, ind
וַיִּכְתֹּ֣ב
and wrote
H3789
וַיִּכְתֹּ֣ב
and wrote
Strong's:
H3789
Word #:
8 of 19
to grave, by implication, to write (describe, inscribe, prescribe, subscribe)
בַּסֵּ֔פֶר
it in a book
H5612
בַּסֵּ֔פֶר
it in a book
Strong's:
H5612
Word #:
9 of 19
properly, writing (the art or a document); by implication, a book
וַיַּנַּ֖ח
and laid it up
H3240
וַיַּנַּ֖ח
and laid it up
Strong's:
H3240
Word #:
10 of 19
to deposit; by implication, to allow to stay
לִפְנֵ֣י
before
H6440
לִפְנֵ֣י
before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
11 of 19
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
יְהוָ֑ה
the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֑ה
the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
12 of 19
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
וַיְשַׁלַּ֧ח
away
H7971
וַיְשַׁלַּ֧ח
away
Strong's:
H7971
Word #:
13 of 19
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
15 of 19
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
16 of 19
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הָעָ֖ם
all the people
H5971
הָעָ֖ם
all the people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
17 of 19
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
Historical Context
Written covenant documents placed in sanctuaries were standard ancient Near Eastern practice. The Hittite suzerainty treaties, for instance, required copies to be deposited in temples. Samuel's action followed this pattern while giving it distinctly Israelite meaning: the king served under divine law, not above it.
Questions for Reflection
- Why is written accountability important for those in positions of power?
- How does Israel's constitutional monarchy challenge both absolute monarchy and unfettered democracy?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Then Samuel told the people the manner of the kingdom, and wrote it in a book, and laid it up before the LORD. Then Samuel sent all the people away, every man to his house.
Samuel formally establishes constitutional boundaries by declaring 'the manner of the kingdom' (mishpat hammelukah). This 'manner' or 'judgment' likely expanded upon the royal regulations of Deuteronomy 17:14-20, which limited royal acquisition of horses, wives, and wealth while requiring personal Torah study. Writing these regulations 'in a book' (sepher) and placing them 'before the LORD' created covenant documentation, witnessed by God Himself in His sanctuary. This act constitutionalized the monarchy: Israelite kingship would be limited, regulated, and accountable to divine law. The dismissal 'every man to his house' concludes the formal assembly while anticipating the narrative of the 'worthless fellows' who rejected Saul. Samuel's constitutional work attempted to prevent the abuses he had warned about (8:11-18), though subsequent history would show how rarely kings honored these limits.