What does 1 Samuel 8:7 mean?
"And the LORD said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them." - 1 Samuel 8:7
1 Samuel 8:7
The Bible verse 1 Samuel 8:7 in the King James Version (KJV) states: "And the Lord said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them."
This verse is part of the Old Testament story of the Israelites' demand for a king. The people of Israel, feeling insecure and desiring to be like other nations, demanded a king to rule over them. This request was met with disapproval from the prophet Samuel, who warned the people about the potential consequences of having a human king instead of recognizing God as their ruler.
In this verse, the Lord is speaking to Samuel and instructing him to listen to the voice of the people, acknowledging that their desire for a king is not a rejection of Samuel, but a rejection of God as their supreme authority. This verse carries significant theological and moral implications, and its themes of obedience, faithfulness, and the consequences of human ambition are central to understanding its deeper meanings.
One of the key themes in this verse is the concept of obedience to God's will. The Israelites' desire for a king reflects their lack of trust in God's guidance and provision. They are seeking security and stability through human leadership, rather than relying on God's sovereign rule over their lives. This theme of obedience is a recurring motif in the Bible, emphasizing the importance of aligning one's will with God's will and submitting to His authority.
Another theme present in this verse is the idea of faithfulness and loyalty to God. By rejecting God as their ruler and demanding a human king, the Israelites are displaying a lack of faith and loyalty to the covenant they have with God. Throughout the Bible, God's faithfulness to His people is emphasized, and this verse serves as a reminder of the expectation for the Israelites to reciprocate that faithfulness by remaining obedient to Him.
The verse also touches on the concept of the consequences of human ambition and desire for power. The Israelites' insistence on having a king to rule over them ultimately leads to corrupt and oppressive leadership, as seen in the reign of King Saul and later King David. This serves as a cautionary tale about the perils of seeking power and prestige at the expense of God's authority and guidance.
In terms of context, this verse is situated within the broader narrative of the Israelites' history and their relationship with God. It comes at a critical point in the Israelites' story, marking a transition from a period of judges to the establishment of a monarchy. It highlights the tension between human desires and God's divine plan, illustrating the challenges and consequences of deviating from God's intended path for His people.
Symbolically, this verse represents the broader theological concept of God's sovereignty and the implications of human rebellion against His authority. The rejection of God as ruler in favor of a human king symbolizes the broader theme of idolatry and the human tendency to prioritize worldly power and status over spiritual obedience.
In conclusion, 1 Samuel 8:7 in the King James Version carries deep theological and moral significance, addressing themes of obedience, faithfulness, human ambition, and God's sovereignty. It serves as a powerful reminder of the consequences of rejecting God's authority and seeking fulfillment outside of His will. This verse continues to be a timeless and relevant lesson for believers, emphasizing the importance of remaining faithful and obedient to God's divine authority.
1 Samuel 8:7 Artwork
1 Samuel 8:7
1 Samuel 8:7 - "And the LORD said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them."
1 Samuel 7:8 - "And the children of Israel said to Samuel, Cease not to cry unto the LORD our God for us, that he will save us out of the hand of the Philistines."
2 Samuel 8:7 - "And David took the shields of gold that were on the servants of Hadadezer, and brought them to Jerusalem."
1 Samuel 7:15 - "And Samuel judged Israel all the days of his life."
1 Samuel 8:1 - "And it came to pass, when Samuel was old, that he made his sons judges over Israel."
1 Samuel 8:21 - "And Samuel heard all the words of the people, and he rehearsed them in the ears of the LORD."
1 Samuel 8:10 - "¶ And Samuel told all the words of the LORD unto the people that asked of him a king."
1 Samuel 8:4 - "Then all the elders of Israel gathered themselves together, and came to Samuel unto Ramah,"
1 Samuel 8:6 - "¶ But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to judge us. And Samuel prayed unto the LORD."
1 Samuel 7:5 - "And Samuel said, Gather all Israel to Mizpeh, and I will pray for you unto the LORD."
1 Samuel 8:17 - "He will take the tenth of your sheep: and ye shall be his servants."
1 Samuel 8:19 - "¶ Nevertheless the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel; and they said, Nay; but we will have a king over us;"
1 Samuel 8:13 - "And he will take your daughters to be confectionaries, and to be cooks, and to be bakers."
1 Samuel 13:8 - "¶ And he tarried seven days, according to the set time that Samuel had appointed: but Samuel came not to Gilgal; and the people were scattered from him."
1 Samuel 16:8 - "Then Jesse called Abinadab, and made him pass before Samuel. And he said, Neither hath the LORD chosen this."
1 Samuel 3:7 - "Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, neither was the word of the LORD yet revealed unto him."
1 Samuel 7:9 - "¶ And Samuel took a sucking lamb, and offered it for a burnt offering wholly unto the LORD: and Samuel cried unto the LORD for Israel; and the LORD heard him."
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."
1 Samuel 7:13 - "¶ So the Philistines were subdued, and they came no more into the coast of Israel: and the hand of the LORD was against the Philistines all the days of Samuel."
1 Samuel 7:12 - "Then Samuel took a stone, and set it between Mizpeh and Shen, and called the name of it Eben-ezer, saying, Hitherto hath the LORD helped us."
1 Samuel 29:7 - "Wherefore now return, and go in peace, that thou displease not the lords of the Philistines."
1 Samuel 27:7 - "And the time that David dwelt in the country of the Philistines was a full year and four months."
1 Samuel 8:3 - "And his sons walked not in his ways, but turned aside after lucre, and took bribes, and perverted judgment."
1 Samuel 7:4 - "Then the children of Israel did put away Baalim and Ashtaroth, and served the LORD only."
1 Samuel 8:2 - "Now the name of his firstborn was Joel; and the name of his second, Abiah: they were judges in Beer-sheba."
1 Samuel 2:7 - "The LORD maketh poor, and maketh rich: he bringeth low, and lifteth up."
1 Samuel 8:15 - "And he will take the tenth of your seed, and of your vineyards, and give to his officers, and to his servants."
1 Samuel 15:7 - "And Saul smote the Amalekites from Havilah until thou comest to Shur, that is over against Egypt."
1 Samuel 23:8 - "And Saul called all the people together to war, to go down to Keilah, to besiege David and his men."