1 Samuel 8:18
And ye shall cry out in that day because of your king which ye shall have chosen you; and the LORD will not hear you in that day.
Original Language Analysis
וּזְעַקְתֶּם֙
And ye shall cry out
H2199
וּזְעַקְתֶּם֙
And ye shall cry out
Strong's:
H2199
Word #:
1 of 14
to shriek (from anguish or danger); by analogy, (as a herald) to announce or convene publicly
בַּיּ֥וֹם
in that day
H3117
בַּיּ֥וֹם
in that day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
2 of 14
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
הַה֔וּא
H1931
הַה֔וּא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
3 of 14
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
מִלִּפְנֵ֣י
because
H6440
מִלִּפְנֵ֣י
because
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
4 of 14
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
6 of 14
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
בְּחַרְתֶּ֖ם
which ye shall have chosen
H977
בְּחַרְתֶּ֖ם
which ye shall have chosen
Strong's:
H977
Word #:
7 of 14
properly, to try, i.e., (by implication) select
וְלֹֽא
H3808
וְלֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
9 of 14
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יַעֲנֶ֧ה
will not hear
H6030
יַעֲנֶ֧ה
will not hear
Strong's:
H6030
Word #:
10 of 14
properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e., pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout,
יְהוָ֛ה
you and the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֛ה
you and the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
11 of 14
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֶתְכֶ֖ם
H853
אֶתְכֶ֖ם
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
12 of 14
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
Cross References
Micah 3:4Then shall they cry unto the LORD, but he will not hear them: he will even hide his face from them at that time, as they have behaved themselves ill in their doings.Isaiah 1:15And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood.Isaiah 8:21And they shall pass through it, hardly bestead and hungry: and it shall come to pass, that when they shall be hungry, they shall fret themselves, and curse their king and their God, and look upward.
Historical Context
The cry for deliverance (za'aq/tsa'aq) was technical covenant vocabulary for appealing to a suzerain for help. God's non-response represents a temporary suspension of covenant intervention, though the broader narrative shows His continued involvement in Israel's history even through the monarchy.
Questions for Reflection
- How does this passage illustrate the principle that God sometimes allows us to experience the full consequences of our choices?
- What comfort and warning do you find in knowing that God takes human decisions seriously?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And ye shall cry out in that day because of your king which ye shall have chosen you; and the LORD will not hear you in that day.
This prophetic warning employs the same vocabulary as Israel's Egyptian bondage. The verb "za'aq" (cry out) appears in Exodus 2:23 when Israel groaned under Pharaoh's oppression and their cry came up to God. But here comes the chilling difference: "the LORD will not hear you" (Hebrew "lo ya'aneh"). God will not intervene because they have deliberately chosen this condition. The phrase "which ye shall have chosen you" emphasizes human responsibility—twice using forms of "bachar" (to choose) to underscore that this outcome was self-selected. God's non-response does not reflect inability or indifference but judicial consequence. Having rejected divine rule for human kingship, they cannot then appeal to divine deliverance from human tyranny. This represents not abandonment but the painful respect God shows for human choices and their consequences. Yet even this severe warning reveals grace: God tells them beforehand so they cannot claim ignorance.