1 Samuel 8:22
And the LORD said to Samuel, Hearken unto their voice, and make them a king. And Samuel said unto the men of Israel, Go ye every man unto his city.
Original Language Analysis
יְהוָ֤ה
And the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֤ה
And the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
2 of 17
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
שְׁמַ֣ע
Hearken
H8085
שְׁמַ֣ע
Hearken
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
5 of 17
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
וְהִמְלַכְתָּ֥
and make
H4427
וְהִמְלַכְתָּ֥
and make
Strong's:
H4427
Word #:
7 of 17
to reign; hence (by implication) to take counsel
אִ֥ישׁ
ye every man
H376
אִ֥ישׁ
ye every man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
13 of 17
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
14 of 17
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
לְכ֖וּ
H1980
לְכ֖וּ
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
15 of 17
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
Historical Context
The dismissal to their cities suggests a waiting period before king-making, perhaps allowing for reflection or practical preparations. The actual selection of Saul occurs in chapter 9-10 through a combination of providential encounter and public lot-casting. God's accommodation of the request while maintaining ultimate sovereignty reflects His consistent pattern throughout Israel's history.
Questions for Reflection
- How does understanding God's permissive versus perfect will help you process difficult circumstances in your own life?
- What does God's willingness to work through Israel's flawed choice teach about His redemptive purposes?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And the LORD said to Samuel, Hearken unto their voice, and make them a king. And Samuel said unto the men of Israel, Go ye every man unto his city.
God's final response reveals the mystery of divine sovereignty operating through human freedom. The repeated command "hearken unto their voice" (now the third time—verses 7, 9, 22) grants the people's request while neither approving nor endorsing it. God permits what He does not prefer, allowing Israel to experience the consequences of their choice. This represents what theologians call God's "permissive will"—distinct from His "perfect will" but still within His sovereign plan. Remarkably, the phrase "make them a king" uses the same Hebrew verb ("malak") that could mean "cause to reign"—God remains the one who ultimately establishes kings (Daniel 2:21). Samuel's dismissal, "Go every man unto his city," postpones the selection process, giving space before irreversible action. The narrative thus shows God working redemptively even through Israel's rebellion—the monarchy they wrongly demanded will eventually produce the Davidic covenant and the messianic hope that culminates in Christ, the true King.