1 Samuel 8:11
And he said, This will be the manner of the king that shall reign over you: He will take your sons, and appoint them for himself, for his chariots, and to be his horsemen; and some shall run before his chariots.
Original Language Analysis
יִֽהְיֶה֙
H1961
יִֽהְיֶה֙
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
3 of 18
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
מִשְׁפַּ֣ט
This will be the manner
H4941
מִשְׁפַּ֣ט
This will be the manner
Strong's:
H4941
Word #:
4 of 18
properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, ind
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
6 of 18
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יִמְלֹ֖ךְ
that shall reign
H4427
יִמְלֹ֖ךְ
that shall reign
Strong's:
H4427
Word #:
7 of 18
to reign; hence (by implication) to take counsel
עֲלֵיכֶ֑ם
H5921
עֲלֵיכֶ֑ם
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
8 of 18
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
9 of 18
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
בְּנֵיכֶ֣ם
your sons
H1121
בְּנֵיכֶ֣ם
your sons
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
10 of 18
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
יִקָּ֗ח
over you He will take
H3947
יִקָּ֗ח
over you He will take
Strong's:
H3947
Word #:
11 of 18
to take (in the widest variety of applications)
וְשָׂ֥ם
and appoint
H7760
וְשָׂ֥ם
and appoint
Strong's:
H7760
Word #:
12 of 18
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
וּבְפָֽרָשָׁ֔יו
and to be his horsemen
H6571
וּבְפָֽרָשָׁ֔יו
and to be his horsemen
Strong's:
H6571
Word #:
15 of 18
a steed (as stretched out to a vehicle, not single nor for mounting ); also (by implication) a driver (in a chariot), i.e., (collectively) cavalry
וְרָצ֖וּ
and some shall run
H7323
וְרָצ֖וּ
and some shall run
Strong's:
H7323
Word #:
16 of 18
to run (for whatever reason, especially to rush)
Cross References
1 Samuel 10:25Then 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.1 Samuel 14:52And there was sore war against the Philistines all the days of Saul: and when Saul saw any strong man, or any valiant man, he took him unto him.2 Samuel 15:1And it came to pass after this, that Absalom prepared him chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him.1 Kings 10:26And Solomon gathered together chariots and horsemen: and he had a thousand and four hundred chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen, whom he bestowed in the cities for chariots, and with the king at Jerusalem.
Historical Context
Chariots represented sophisticated military technology requiring significant infrastructure. Egyptian and Canaanite armies employed chariot divisions extensively. Israel had largely fought as infantry; adopting chariotry would require horses (forbidden in Deuteronomy 17:16), trained personnel, manufacturing capabilities, and roads—all demanding centralized state resources.
Questions for Reflection
- In what ways do you see institutions today "taking" from people while promising protection or benefit?
- How does recognizing Christ as the true King who gives rather than takes reshape your understanding of authority?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And he said, This will be the manner of the king that shall reign over you: He will take your sons, and appoint them for himself, for his chariots, and to be his horsemen; and some shall run before his chariots.
The Hebrew word "mishpat" (manner/justice) carries deep irony here. Normally it refers to righteous judgment or legal rights, but Samuel uses it to describe the king's oppressive practices. What Israel sought as protection will become exploitation. The thrice-repeated verb "laqach" (to take) throughout this passage hammers home the extractive nature of monarchy. Sons will be conscripted for military service—chariots and cavalry representing the cutting-edge military technology of ancient Near Eastern warfare. Those running before chariots served as heralds and guards, a prestigious but demanding role. This prophecy found literal fulfillment when Solomon amassed 1,400 chariots and 12,000 horsemen (1 Kings 10:26). The warning highlights how human institutions, even when permitted by God, tend toward the concentration of power and the instrumentalization of people for state purposes.