mh_parser/vol_split/9 - 1Samuel/Chapter 8.xml

<div2 id="iSam.ix" n="ix" next="iSam.x" prev="iSam.viii" progress="28.26%" title="Chapter VIII">
<h2 id="iSam.ix-p0.1">F I R S T   S A M U E L</h2>
<h3 id="iSam.ix-p0.2">CHAP. VIII.</h3>
<p class="intro" id="iSam.ix-p1">Things went so very well with Israel, in the
chapter before, under Samuel's administration, that, methinks, it
is a pity to find him so quickly, as we do in this chapter, old,
and going off, and things working towards a revolution. But so it
is; Israel's good days seldom continue long. We have here, I.
Samuel decaying, <scripRef id="iSam.ix-p1.1" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.8.1" parsed="|1Sam|8|1|0|0" passage="1Sa 8:1">ver. 1</scripRef>. II.
His sons degenerating, <scripRef id="iSam.ix-p1.2" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.8.2-1Sam.8.3" parsed="|1Sam|8|2|8|3" passage="1Sa 8:2,3">ver. 2,
3</scripRef>. III. Israel discontented with the present government
and anxious to see a change. For 1. They petition Samuel to set a
king over them, <scripRef id="iSam.ix-p1.3" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.8.4-1Sam.8.5" parsed="|1Sam|8|4|8|5" passage="1Sa 8:4,5">ver. 4, 5</scripRef>.
2. Samuel brings the matter to God, <scripRef id="iSam.ix-p1.4" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.8.6" parsed="|1Sam|8|6|0|0" passage="1Sa 8:6">ver. 6</scripRef>. 3. God directs him what answer to give
them, by way of reproof (<scripRef id="iSam.ix-p1.5" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.8.7-1Sam.8.8" parsed="|1Sam|8|7|8|8" passage="1Sa 8:7,8">ver. 7,
8</scripRef>), and by way of remonstrance, setting forth the
consequences of a change of the government, and how uneasy they
would soon be under it, <scripRef id="iSam.ix-p1.6" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.8.9-1Sam.8.18" parsed="|1Sam|8|9|8|18" passage="1Sa 8:9-18">ver.
9-18</scripRef>. 4. They insist upon their petition, <scripRef id="iSam.ix-p1.7" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.8.19-1Sam.8.20" parsed="|1Sam|8|19|8|20" passage="1Sa 8:19,20">ver. 19, 20</scripRef>. 5. Samuel promises
them, from God, that they shall shortly be gratified, <scripRef id="iSam.ix-p1.8" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.8.21-1Sam.8.22" parsed="|1Sam|8|21|8|22" passage="1Sa 8:21,22">ver. 21, 22</scripRef>. Thus hard is it for
people to know when they are well off.</p>
<scripCom id="iSam.ix-p0.1_1" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.8" parsed="|1Sam|8|0|0|0" passage="1Sa 8" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="iSam.ix-p0.2_1" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.8.1-1Sam.8.3" parsed="|1Sam|8|1|8|3" passage="1Sa 8:1-3" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:1Sam.8.1-1Sam.8.3">
<h4 id="iSam.ix-p1.11">The Wickedness of Samuel's
Sons. (<span class="smallcaps" id="iSam.ix-p1.12">b. c.</span> 1075.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="iSam.ix-p2">1 And it came to pass, when Samuel was old, that
he made his sons judges over Israel.   2 Now the name of his
firstborn was Joel; and the name of his second, Abiah: <i>they
were</i> judges in Beer-sheba.   3 And his sons walked not in
his ways, but turned aside after lucre, and took bribes, and
perverted judgment.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iSam.ix-p3">Two sad things we find here, but not
strange things:—1. A good and useful man growing old and unfit
for service (<scripRef id="iSam.ix-p3.1" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.8.1" parsed="|1Sam|8|1|0|0" passage="1Sa 8:1"><i>v.</i> 1</scripRef>):
<i>Samuel was old,</i> and could not judge Israel, as he had done.
He is not reckoned to be past sixty years of age now, perhaps not
so much; but he was a man betimes, was full of thoughts and cared
when he was a child, which perhaps hastened the infirmities of age
upon him. The fruits that are the first ripe keep the worst. He had
spent his strength and spirits in the fatigue of public business,
and now, if he think to shake himself as at other times, he finds
he is mistaken: old age has cut his hair. Those that are in the
prime of their time ought to be busy in doing the work of life:
for, as they go into years, they will find themselves less disposed
to it and less able for it. 2. The children of a good man turning
aside, and not treading in his steps. Samuel had given his sons so
good an education, and they had given him such good hopes of their
doing well, and gained such a reputation in Israel, that he made
them judges, assistants to him awhile, and afterwards deputies
under him at Beer-sheba, which lay remote from Ramah, <scripRef id="iSam.ix-p3.2" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.8.2" parsed="|1Sam|8|2|0|0" passage="1Sa 8:2"><i>v.</i> 2</scripRef>. Probably the southern
countries petitioned for their residence there, that they might not
be necessitated to travel far with their causes. We have reason to
think that Samuel gave them their commissions, not because they
were his sons (he had no ambition to entail the government upon his
family, any more than Gideon had), but because, for aught that yet
appeared, they were men very fit for the trust; and none so proper
to ease the aged judge, and take some of the burden off him, as
(<i>cæteris paribus</i>—<i>other things being equal</i>) his own
sons, who no doubt were respected for their good father's sake,
and, having such an advantage at setting out, might soon have been
great if they had but been good. But, alas! <i>his sons walked not
in his ways</i> (<scripRef id="iSam.ix-p3.3" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.8.3" parsed="|1Sam|8|3|0|0" passage="1Sa 8:3"><i>v.</i>
3</scripRef>), and, when their character was the reverse of his,
their relation to so good a man, which otherwise would have been
their honour, was really their disgrace. <i>Degeneranti genus
opprobrium—A good extraction is a reproach to him that degenerates
from it.</i> Note, Those that have the most grace themselves cannot
give grace to their children. It has often been the grief of good
men to see their posterity, instead of treading in their steps,
trampling upon them, and, as Job speaks, <i>marring their path.</i>
Nay, many that have begun well, promised fair, and set out in the
right path, so that their parents and friends have had great hopes
of them, yet afterwards have turned aside to by-paths, and been the
grief of those of whom they should have been the joy. When Samuel's
sons were made judges, and settled at a distance from him, then
they discovered themselves. Thus, (1.) Many that have been well
educated, and have conducted themselves well while they were under
their parents' eye, when they have gone abroad into the world and
set up for themselves have proved bad. Let none therefore be secure
either of themselves or theirs, but depend on divine grace. (2.)
Many that have done well in a state of meanness and subjection have
been spoiled by preferment and power. Honours change men's minds,
and too often for the worse. It does not appear that Samuel's sons
were so profane and vicious as Eli's sons; but, whatever they were
in other respects, they were corrupt judges, they <i>turned aside
after lucre,</i> after <i>the mammon of unrighteousness,</i> so the
Chaldee reads it. Note, <i>The love of money is the root of all
evil.</i> It is pernicious in any, but especially in judges. Samuel
had taken no bribes (<scripRef id="iSam.ix-p3.4" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.12.3" parsed="|1Sam|12|3|0|0" passage="1Sa 12:3"><i>ch.</i> xii.
3</scripRef>), but his sons had, though, no doubt, he warned them
against it when he made them judges; and then they perverted
judgment. In determining controversies, they had an eye to the
bribe, not to the law, and enquired who bid highest, not who had
right on his side. It is sad with a people when the public justice
that should do them right, being perverted, does them the greatest
wrong.</p>
</div><scripCom id="iSam.ix-p0.3" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.8.4-1Sam.8.22" parsed="|1Sam|8|4|8|22" passage="1Sa 8:4-22" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:1Sam.8.4-1Sam.8.22">
<h4 id="iSam.ix-p3.6">The People Desire a King; God's Answer to
Israel; The People Insist on Having a King. (<span class="smallcaps" id="iSam.ix-p3.7">b. c.</span> 1075.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="iSam.ix-p4">4 Then all the elders of Israel gathered
themselves together, and came to Samuel unto Ramah,   5 And
said unto him, Behold, thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy
ways: now make us a king to judge us like all the nations.   6
But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to
judge us. And Samuel prayed unto the <span class="smallcaps" id="iSam.ix-p4.1">Lord</span>.   7 And the <span class="smallcaps" id="iSam.ix-p4.2">Lord</span> 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.   8 According to all the works which they have done
since the day that I brought them up out of Egypt even unto this
day, wherewith they have forsaken me, and served other gods, so do
they also unto thee.   9 Now therefore hearken unto their
voice: howbeit yet protest solemnly unto them, and shew them the
manner of the king that shall reign over them.   10 And Samuel
told all the words of the <span class="smallcaps" id="iSam.ix-p4.3">Lord</span> unto
the people that asked of him a king.   11 And he said, This
will be the manner of the king that shall reign over you: He will
take your sons, and appoint <i>them</i> for himself, for his
chariots, and <i>to be</i> his horsemen; and <i>some</i> shall run
before his chariots.   12 And he will appoint him captains
over thousands, and captains over fifties; and <i>will set them</i>
to ear his ground, and to reap his harvest, and to make his
instruments of war, and instruments of his chariots.   13 And
he will take your daughters <i>to be</i> confectionaries, and <i>to
be</i> cooks, and <i>to be</i> bakers.   14 And he will take
your fields, and your vineyards, and your oliveyards, <i>even</i>
the best <i>of them,</i> and give <i>them</i> to his servants.
  15 And he will take the tenth of your seed, and of your
vineyards, and give to his officers, and to his servants.   16
And he will take your menservants, and your maidservants, and your
goodliest young men, and your asses, and put <i>them</i> to his
work.   17 He will take the tenth of your sheep: and ye shall
be his servants.   18 And ye shall cry out in that day because
of your king which ye shall have chosen you; and the <span class="smallcaps" id="iSam.ix-p4.4">Lord</span> will not hear you in that day.   19
Nevertheless the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel; and
they said, Nay; but we will have a king over us;   20 That we
also may be like all the nations; and that our king may judge us,
and go out before us, and fight our battles.   21 And Samuel
heard all the words of the people, and he rehearsed them in the
ears of the <span class="smallcaps" id="iSam.ix-p4.5">Lord</span>.   22 And the
<span class="smallcaps" id="iSam.ix-p4.6">Lord</span> 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.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iSam.ix-p5">We have here the starting of a matter
perfectly new and surprising, which was the setting up of kingly
government in Israel. Perhaps the thing had been often talked of
among them by those that were given to change and affected that
which looked great. But we do not find that it was ever till now
publicly proposed and debated. Abimelech was little better than a
titular king, though he is said to reign over Israel (<scripRef id="iSam.ix-p5.1" osisRef="Bible:Judg.9.22" parsed="|Judg|9|22|0|0" passage="Jdg 9:22">Judges ix. 22</scripRef>), and perhaps his fall
had for a great while rendered the title of king odious in Israel,
as that of Tarquinius did among the Romans; but, if it had, by this
time the odium was worn off, and some bold steps are here taken
towards so great a revolution as that amounted to. Here is,</p>
<p class="indent" id="iSam.ix-p6">I. The address of the elders to Samuel in
this matter (<scripRef id="iSam.ix-p6.1" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.8.4-1Sam.8.5" parsed="|1Sam|8|4|8|5" passage="1Sa 8:4,5"><i>v.</i> 4,
5</scripRef>): They <i>gathered themselves together,</i> by common
consent; and not in a riotous tumultuous manner, but with the
respect due to his character, they came to him to his house as
Ramah with their address, which contained,</p>
<p class="indent" id="iSam.ix-p7">1. A remonstrance of their grievances: in
short, <i>Thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways.</i> Many
a fairer occasion that people had had to ask a king, when they were
oppressed by their neighbours or embroiled at home for want of <i>a
king in Israel,</i> but a small thing will serve factious spirits
for a colour to desire a change. (1.) It was true that Samuel was
old; but if that made him less able to ride the circuit, and sit
long on the bench, yet it made him the more wise and experienced,
and, upon that account, the fitter to rule. If he was old, had he
not grown old in their service? And it was very unkind, ungrateful,
nay, and unjust, to cast him off when he was old, who had spent his
days in doing them good. God had saved his youth from being
despicable (<scripRef id="iSam.ix-p7.1" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.3.20" parsed="|1Sam|3|20|0|0" passage="1Sa 3:20"><i>ch.</i> iii.
20</scripRef>), yet they make his old age so, which should have
been counted worthy of double honour. If old people be upbraided
with their infirmities, and laid aside for them, let them not think
it strange; Samuel himself was so. (2.) It was true that his sons
did not walk in his ways; the more was his grief, but they could
not say it was his fault: he had not, like Eli, indulged them in
their badness, but was ready to receive complaints against them.
And, if that had been the thing desired, we may well suppose, upon
the making out of the charge of bribery against them he would have
superseded their commissions and punished them. But this would not
content the elders of Israel; they had another project in their
head.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iSam.ix-p8">2. A petition for the redress of these
grievances, by setting a king over them: <i>Make us a king to judge
us like all the nations.</i> Thus far it was well, that they did
not rise up in rebellion against Samuel and set up a king for
themselves, <i>vi et armis—by force;</i> but they applied to
Samuel, God's prophet, and humbly begged of him to do it. But it
appears by what follows that it was an evil proposal and ill made,
and was displeasing to God. God designed them a king, a man after
his own heart, when Samuel was dead; but they would anticipate
God's counsel, and would have one now that Samuel was old. They had
a prophet to judge them, that had immediate correspondence with
heaven, and therein they were great and happy above any nation,
none having God <i>so nigh unto them</i> as they had, <scripRef id="iSam.ix-p8.1" osisRef="Bible:Deut.4.7" parsed="|Deut|4|7|0|0" passage="De 4:7">Deut. iv. 7</scripRef>. But this would not serve;
they must have a king to judge them with external pomp and power,
like <i>all the nations.</i> A poor prophet in a mantle, though
conversant in the visions of the Almighty, looked mean in the eyes
of those who judged by outward appearance; but a king in a purple
robe, with his guards and officers of state, would look great: and
such a one they must have. They knew it was in vain to court Samuel
to take upon him the title and dignity of a king, but he must
appoint them one. They do not say, "Give us a king that is wise and
good, and will judge better than thy sons do," but, "Give us a
king," any body that will but make a figure. Thus foolishly did
they forsake their own mercies, and, under pretence of advancing
the dignity of their nation to that of their neighbours, did really
thrust themselves down from their own excellency, and profane their
crown by <i>casting it to the ground.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="iSam.ix-p9">II. Samuel's resentment of this address,
<scripRef id="iSam.ix-p9.1" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.8.6" parsed="|1Sam|8|6|0|0" passage="1Sa 8:6"><i>v.</i> 6</scripRef>. Let us see how
he took it. 1. It cut him to the heart. Probably it was a surprise
to him, and he had not any intimation before of their design, which
made it the more grievous. The thing displeased Samuel; not when
they upbraided him with his own infirmities and his children's
irregularities (he could patiently bear what reflected on himself
and his own family), but it <i>displeased him when they said, Give
us a king to judge us,</i> because that reflected upon God and his
honour. 2. It drove him to his knees; he gave them no answer for
the present, but took time to consider of what they proposed, and
prayed unto the Lord for direction what to do, spreading the case
before him and leaving it with him, and so making himself easy.
Samuel was a man much in prayer, and we are encouraged <i>in every
thing to make our requests known to God,</i> <scripRef id="iSam.ix-p9.2" osisRef="Bible:Phil.4.6" parsed="|Phil|4|6|0|0" passage="Php 4:6">Phil. iv. 6</scripRef>. When any thing disturbs us, it is
our interest, as well as our duty, to show before God our trouble,
and he gives us leave to be humbly free with him.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iSam.ix-p10">III. The instruction God gave him
concerning this matter. Those that in straits seek to God shall
find him nigh unto them, and ready to direct them. He tells
him,</p>
<p class="indent" id="iSam.ix-p11">1. That which would be an allay to his
displeasure. Samuel was much disturbed at the proposal: it troubled
him greatly to see his prophetic office thus slighted, and all the
good turns he had done to Israel thus ungratefully returned; but
God tells him he must not think it either hard or strange. (1.) He
must not think it hard that they had put this slight upon him, for
they had herein put a slight upon God himself: "<i>They have not
rejected thee</i> only, but <i>they have rejected me.</i> I share
with thee in the affront," <scripRef id="iSam.ix-p11.1" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.8.7" parsed="|1Sam|8|7|0|0" passage="1Sa 8:7"><i>v.</i>
7</scripRef>. Note, If God interest himself in the indignities that
are done us, and the contempts that are put upon us, we may well
afford to bear them patiently; nor need we think the worse of
ourselves if <i>for his sake we bear reproach</i> (<scripRef id="iSam.ix-p11.2" osisRef="Bible:Ps.69.7" parsed="|Ps|69|7|0|0" passage="Ps 69:7">Ps. lxix. 7</scripRef>), but rather rejoice and
count it an honour, <scripRef id="iSam.ix-p11.3" osisRef="Bible:Col.1.24" parsed="|Col|1|24|0|0" passage="Col 1:24">Col. i.
24</scripRef>. Samuel must not complain that they were weary of his
government, though just and gentle, for really they were weary of
God's government; this was what they disliked: <i>They have
rejected me, that I should not reign over them.</i> God <i>reigns
over the heathen</i> (<scripRef id="iSam.ix-p11.4" osisRef="Bible:Ps.47.8" parsed="|Ps|47|8|0|0" passage="Ps 47:8">Ps. xlvii.
8</scripRef>), over all the world, but the government of Israel had
hitherto been, in a more peculiar manner than ever any government
was, a Theocracy, a divine government; their judges had their call
and commission immediately from God; the affairs of their nation
were under his peculiar direction. As the constitution, so the
administration of their government, was by <i>Thus saith the
Lord;</i> this method they were weary of, though it was their
honour and safety, above any thing, so long as they kept in with
God. They were indeed so much the more exposed to calamities if
they provoked God to anger by sin, and found they could not
transgress at so cheap a rate as other nations could, which perhaps
was the true reason why they desired to stand upon the same terms
with God that other nations did. (2.) He must not think it strange,
nor marvel at the matter, for they do as they always have done:
<i>According to all the works which they have done, since the day
that I brought them out of Egypt, so do they unto thee,</i>
<scripRef id="iSam.ix-p11.5" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.8.8" parsed="|1Sam|8|8|0|0" passage="1Sa 8:8"><i>v.</i> 8</scripRef>; They had at
first been so very respectful and obsequious to Samuel that he
began to hope they were cured of their old stubborn disposition;
but now he found himself deceived in them, and must not be
surprised at it. They had always been rude to their governors,
witness Moses and Aaron; nay, <i>They have forsaken me and served
other gods;</i> the greatness of their crime, in affecting new
gods, may make this crime of affecting new governors seem little.
Samuel might expect they would deal treacherously, for they were
called <i>transgressors from the womb,</i> <scripRef id="iSam.ix-p11.6" osisRef="Bible:Isa.58.8" parsed="|Isa|58|8|0|0" passage="Isa 58:8">Isa. xlviii. 8</scripRef>. This had been <i>their manner
from their youth up,</i> <scripRef id="iSam.ix-p11.7" osisRef="Bible:Jer.22.21" parsed="|Jer|22|21|0|0" passage="Jer 22:21">Jer. xxii.
21</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iSam.ix-p12">2. He tells him that which would be an
answer to their demand. Samuel would not have known what to say if
God had not instructed him. Should he oppose the motion, it would
bespeak a greater fondness of power and dominion than did become a
prophet, and an indulgence of his sons. Should he yield to the
motion, it would look like the betraying of his trust, and he would
become accessory to all the bad consequences of a change. Aaron
sinned in gratifying the people when they said, <i>Make us
gods;</i> Samuel dares not therefore comply with them when they
say, <i>Make us a king,</i> but he gives them, with assurance, the
answer God sent them.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iSam.ix-p13">(1.) He must tell them that <i>they shall
have a king. Hearken to the voice of the people,</i> <scripRef id="iSam.ix-p13.1" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.8.7" parsed="|1Sam|8|7|0|0" passage="1Sa 8:7"><i>v.</i> 7</scripRef>, and again, <scripRef id="iSam.ix-p13.2" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.8.9" parsed="|1Sam|8|9|0|0" passage="1Sa 8:9"><i>v.</i> 9</scripRef>. Not that God was pleased
with their request, but, as sometimes he crosses us in love, so at
other times he gratifies us in wrath; he did so here. When they
said, <i>Give us a king and princes he gave them a king in his
anger</i> (see <scripRef id="iSam.ix-p13.3" osisRef="Bible:Hos.13.10-Hos.13.11" parsed="|Hos|13|10|13|11" passage="Ho 13:10,11">Hos. xiii. 10,
11</scripRef>), as he gave them quails, <scripRef id="iSam.ix-p13.4" osisRef="Bible:Ps.106.5 Bible:Ps.78.29" parsed="|Ps|106|5|0|0;|Ps|78|29|0|0" passage="Ps 106:5,Ps 78:29">Ps. cvi. 15; lxxviii. 29</scripRef>. God bade
Samuel humour them in this matter, [1.] That they might be beaten
with their own rod, and might feel, to their cost, the difference
between his government and the government of a king; see <scripRef id="iSam.ix-p13.5" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.12.8" parsed="|2Chr|12|8|0|0" passage="2Ch 12:8">2 Chron. xii. 8</scripRef>. It soon appeared how
much worse their condition was, in all respects, under Saul, than
it had been under Samuel. [2.] To prevent something worse. If they
were not gratified, they would either rise in rebellion against
Samuel or universally revolt from their religion and admit the gods
of the nations, that they might have kings like them. Rather than
so, let them have a king. [3.] God knows how to bring glory to
himself out of it, and to serve his own wise purposes even by their
foolish counsels.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iSam.ix-p14">(2.) But he must tell them, withal, that
when they have a king they will soon have enough of him, and will,
when it is too late, repent of their choice. This he must
<i>protest solemnly to them</i> (<scripRef id="iSam.ix-p14.1" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.8.9" parsed="|1Sam|8|9|0|0" passage="1Sa 8:9"><i>v.</i> 9</scripRef>), that, if they would have a king
to rule them, as the eastern kings ruled their subjects, they would
find the yoke exceedingly heavy. They looked only at the pomp or
magnificence of a king, and thought that would make their nation
great and considerable among its neighbours, and would strike a
terror upon their enemies; but he must bid them consider how they
would like to bear the charges of that pomp, and how they would
endure that arbitrary power which the neighbouring kings assumed.
Note, Those that set their hearts inordinately upon any thing in
this world ought, for the moderating of their desires, to consider
the inconveniences as well as the conveniences that will attend it,
and to set the one over against the other in their thoughts. Those
that submit to the government of the world and the flesh are told
plainly what hard masters they are, and what a tyranny the dominion
of sin is; and yet they will exchange God's government for it.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iSam.ix-p15">IV. Samuel's faithful delivery of God's
mind to them, <scripRef id="iSam.ix-p15.1" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.8.10" parsed="|1Sam|8|10|0|0" passage="1Sa 8:10"><i>v.</i> 10</scripRef>.
He <i>told them all the words of the Lord,</i> how ill he resented
it, that he construed it a rejecting of him, and compared it with
their serving other gods,—that he would grant their request if
they insisted on it, but withal had ordered him to represent to
them the certain consequences of their choice, that they would be
such that if they had any reason left them, and would allow
themselves to consult their own interest, they would withdraw their
petition, and beg to continue as they were. Accordingly he lays
before them, very particularly, what would be, not the right of a
king in general, but <i>the manner of the king that should reign
over them,</i> according to the pattern of the nations, <scripRef id="iSam.ix-p15.2" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.8.11" parsed="|1Sam|8|11|0|0" passage="1Sa 8:11"><i>v.</i> 11</scripRef>. Samuel does not speak
(as bishop Patrick expounds it) of a just and honest right of a
king to do these things, for his right is quite otherwise described
in that part of Moses's law which concerns the king's duty, but
such a right as the kings of the nations had then acquired. <i>This
shall be the manner of the king,</i> that is, "thus he must support
his dignity at the expense of that which is dearest to you, and
thus he will abuse his power, as those that have power are apt to
do; and, having the militia in his hand, you will be under a
necessity of submitting to him."</p>
<p class="indent" id="iSam.ix-p16">1. If they will have such a king as the
nations have, let them consider, (1.) That king must have a great
retinue, abundance of servants to wait on him, grooms to look after
his chariots and horses, gentlemen to ride about with him, and
footmen to run before his chariots. This is the chief grandeur of
princes, and the imaginary glory of great men, to have a multitude
of attendants. And whence must he have these? "Why, he will take
your sons, who are free-born, have a liberal education, and whom
you now have at your own disposal, and will <i>appoint them for
himself,</i>" <scripRef id="iSam.ix-p16.1" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.8.11" parsed="|1Sam|8|11|0|0" passage="1Sa 8:11"><i>v.</i> 11</scripRef>.
They must wait upon him, and be at his beck; those that used to
work for their parents and themselves must work for him, <i>ear his
ground, and reap his harvest</i> (<scripRef id="iSam.ix-p16.2" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.8.12" parsed="|1Sam|8|12|0|0" passage="1Sa 8:12"><i>v.</i> 12</scripRef>), and count it their preferment
too, <scripRef id="iSam.ix-p16.3" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.8.16" parsed="|1Sam|8|16|0|0" passage="1Sa 8:16"><i>v.</i> 16</scripRef>. This
would be a great change. (2.) He must keep a great table; he will
not be content to dine with his neighbours upon a sacrifice, as
Samuel used to do (<scripRef id="iSam.ix-p16.4" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.9.13" parsed="|1Sam|9|13|0|0" passage="1Sa 9:13"><i>ch.</i> ix.
13</scripRef>); but he must have a variety of dainty dishes, forced
meats, and sweet-meats, and delicate sauces; and who must prepare
him these? "Why, he will take your daughters, the most ingenious
and handy of them, whom you hoped to prefer to houses and tables of
their own; and, whether you be willing or no, they must be his
confectioners, and cooks, and bakers, and the like." (3.) "He must
needs have a standing army, for guards and garrisons; and your
sons, instead of being elders of your cities, and living in quiet
and honour at home, must be captains over thousands and captains
over fifties, and must be disposed of at the pleasure of the
sovereign." (4.) "You may expect that he will have great
favourites, whom, having dignified and ennobled, he must enrich,
and give them estates suitable to their honour; and which way can
he do that, but out of your inheritances? <scripRef id="iSam.ix-p16.5" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.8.14" parsed="|1Sam|8|14|0|0" passage="1Sa 8:14"><i>v.</i> 14</scripRef>. <i>He will take your fields and
vineyards,</i> which descended to you from your ancestors, and
which you hoped to leave to your posterity after you, <i>even the
best of them;</i> and will not only take them to himself (you could
bear that better), but he will <i>give them to his servants,</i>
who will be your masters, and bear rule over that for which you
have laboured, How will you like that?" (5.) "He must have great
revenues to maintain his grandeur and power with; and whence must
he have them but from you? He will take the tenth of the fruits of
your ground (<scripRef id="iSam.ix-p16.6" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.8.15" parsed="|1Sam|8|15|0|0" passage="1Sa 8:15"><i>v.</i> 15</scripRef>),
and your cattle, <scripRef id="iSam.ix-p16.7" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.8.17" parsed="|1Sam|8|17|0|0" passage="1Sa 8:17"><i>v.</i>
17</scripRef>. You think the tenths, the double tenths, which the
law of God has appointed for the support of the church, grievous
enough, and grudge the payment of them; but, if you have a king,
there must issue another tenth out of your estates, which will be
levied with more rigour, for the support of the royal dignity.
Consider the expense with the magnificence, and whether it will
quit cost."</p>
<p class="indent" id="iSam.ix-p17">2. These would be their grievances, and,
(1.) They would have none but God to complain to. Once they
complained to the prince himself, and were answered, according to
the manner of the king, Your <i>yoke is heavy, and I will add to
it,</i> <scripRef id="iSam.ix-p17.1" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.12.11" parsed="|1Kgs|12|11|0|0" passage="1Ki 12:11">1 Kings xii. 11</scripRef>.
(2.) When they complained to God he <i>would not hear them,</i>
<scripRef id="iSam.ix-p17.2" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.8.18" parsed="|1Sam|8|18|0|0" passage="1Sa 8:18"><i>v.</i> 18</scripRef>. Nor could
they expect that he should, both because they had been deaf to his
calls and admonitions, and this trouble, in particular, they had
brought upon themselves by rejecting him, and would not believe
when he told them what would come of it. Note, When we bring
ourselves into distress by our own irregular desires and projects
we justly forfeit the comfort of prayer and the benefit of divine
aids, and, if God be not better to us than we deserve, must have
our relief in our own hands, and then it is bad with us.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iSam.ix-p18">V. The people's obstinacy in their demand,
<scripRef id="iSam.ix-p18.1" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.8.19-1Sam.8.20" parsed="|1Sam|8|19|8|20" passage="1Sa 8:19,20"><i>v.</i> 19, 20</scripRef>. One
would think such a representation of the consequences as this was,
coming from God himself, who can neither deceive by his word nor be
deceived in his knowledge, should have prevailed with them to waive
their request: but their hearts were upon it, right or wrong, good
or evil: "<i>We will have a king over us,</i> whatever God or
Samuel say to the contrary; we will have a king, whatever it cost
us, and whatever inconvenience we bring upon ourselves or our
posterity by it." See their folly. 1. They were quite deaf to
reason and blind to their own interest. They could not answer
Samuel's arguments against it, nor deny the force of them, and yet
they grow more violent in their request, and more insolent. Before
it was, "Pray, <i>make us a king;</i>" now it is, "<i>Nay, but we
will have a king;</i> yea, that we will, because we will; nor will
we bear to have any thing said against it." See the absurdity of
inordinate desires, and how they rob men of their reason. 2. They
could not stay God's time. God had intimated to them in the law
that, in due time, Israel should have a king (<scripRef id="iSam.ix-p18.2" osisRef="Bible:Deut.17.14-Deut.17.15" parsed="|Deut|17|14|17|15" passage="De 17:14,15">Deut. xvii. 14, 15</scripRef>), and perhaps they had
some intimation that the time was at hand; but they are all in
haste: "We, in our day, will have this king over us." Could they
but have waited ten or twelve years longer they would have had
David, a king of God's giving in mercy, and all the calamities that
attended the setting up of Saul would have been prevented. Sudden
resolves and hasty desires make work for a long and leisurely
repentance. 3. That which they aimed at in desiring a king was not
only, as before, that they might be like the nations, and levelled
with the one above whom God had so far advanced them, but that they
might have one to judge them, and to go out before them when they
took the field, and to fight their battles. Foolish people and
unwise! Could they ever desire a battle better fought for them that
the last was, by Samuel's prayer and God's thunder? <scripRef id="iSam.ix-p18.3" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.7.10" parsed="|1Sam|7|10|0|0" passage="1Sa 7:10"><i>ch.</i> vii. 10</scripRef>. Was victory
hereby too sure to them? And were they fond of trying the chance of
war at the same uncertainty that others did? So sick, it seems,
were they of their privileges: and what was the issue? Their first
king was slain in a battle, which none of their judges ever were;
so was Josiah, one of the last and best.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iSam.ix-p19">VI. The dismissing of them with an
intimation that very shortly they should have what they asked. 1.
<i>Samuel rehearsed all their words in the ears of the Lord,</i>
<scripRef id="iSam.ix-p19.1" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.8.21" parsed="|1Sam|8|21|0|0" passage="1Sa 8:21"><i>v.</i> 21</scripRef>. Not but that
God perfectly knew it, without Samuel's report; but thus he dealt
faithfully between God and Israel, as a prophet, returning the
answer to him that sent him; and thus he waited on God for further
direction. God is fully acquainted with the state of the case we
are in care and doubt about, but he will know it from us. His
rehearsing it <i>in the ears of the Lord</i> intimates that it was
done in private; for the people were not disposed to join with him
in prayer to God for direction in this matter; also it bespeaks a
holy familiarity, to which God graciously admits his people: they
speak in the ears of the Lord, as one friend whispers with another;
their communion with God is <i>meat they have to eat which the
world knows not of,</i> <scripRef id="iSam.ix-p19.2" osisRef="Bible:John.4.32" parsed="|John|4|32|0|0" passage="Joh 4:32">John iv.
32</scripRef>. 2. God gave direction that they should have a king,
since they were so inordinately set upon it (<scripRef id="iSam.ix-p19.3" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.8.22" parsed="|1Sam|8|22|0|0" passage="1Sa 8:22"><i>v.</i> 22</scripRef>): "<i>Make them a king,</i> and
let them make their best of him, and thank themselves if that very
pomp and power which they are so eager to see their sovereign in be
their plague and burden." <i>So he gave them up to their own
hearts' lusts.</i> Samuel told them this, but sent them home for
the present, <i>every man to his city;</i> for the designation of
the person must be left to God; they had now no more to do. When
God saw fit to notify the choice to Samuel they should hear further
from him; in the mean time let them keep the peace and expect the
issue.</p>
</div></div2>