Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible · 1 Samuel Kapitel 8

1 Samuel 8:3. And his sons walked not in his ways— Eli was punished for the wickedness of his sons, but Samuel was not; because it does not appear that the crimes of Samuel's sons were in any respect so flagrant as those of the sons of Eli, nor does it appear that Samuel knew of their crimes. They lived at a great distance from him, and might receive the bribes secretly: nor, further, does it appear, that he was wanting in a proper chastisement of them when he did know of their enormities; at least nothing of this kind is recorded in history.

return to '

1 Samuel 8:7. They have rejected me, &c.— Samuel had now, by a wise and painful direction of affairs, restored the purity of religion, and rescued the nation from the power of the Philistines, and their other hostile neighbours, against whom they were utterly unable to make head when he entered upon the administration. At this very time, the people, debauched as usual by power and prosperity, took the pretence of the corrupt conduct of the prophet's two sons, to go in a tumultuous manner and demand a king: but the secret spring of their rebellion was the ambition of their leaders, who could live no longer without the splendor of a regal court and household. Give me, say they, in Hosea 13:10 a king and princes, where every one of them might shine a distinguished officer of state. They could get nothing when their affairs led them to their judges' poor residence, in the schools of the prophets, but the GIFT of the Holy Spirit; which a courtier, I suppose, would not prize even at the rate at which Simon Magus held it, of a paltry piece of money. This it was, and this only, that made their demand criminal; for the choosing regal rather than aristocratic viceroys, was a thing plainly indulged to them by the law of Moses. Deuteronomy 17:14-15. Div. Leg. vol. 4: p. 80.

return to '

1 Samuel 8:11. This will be the manner of the king— They had desired such a king to judge or rule over them as all the nations had. Now it is very well known, that all the eastern nations were under despotic government. It is, therefore, such a kind of government which Samuel sets forth in the following verses, in order to dissuade them from their purpose. This is very evident from the 18th verse particularly. The people of Israel, says Baron Puffendorff, had hitherto lived under governors raised up by God, who had exacted no tribute of them, nor put them to any charge; but, little content with this form of government, they desire to have a king like other nations, who should live in magnificence and pomp, keep armies, and be ready to resist any invasion. Samuel informs them what it was that they desired, that when they understood it they might consider whether they would persist in their choice. If they would have a king splendidly attended, he tells them, that he would take their sons for his chariots, &c. If they would have him keep up constant forces, then he would appoint them for colonels and captains, and employ those in his wars who were accustomed to follow their family business: and since, after the manner of other kings, he must keep a stately court, they must be content that their daughters should serve in several offices, which the king would think below the dignity of his wives and daughters; 1 Samuel 8:13. Many ministers also, in several departments both of war and peace, must have salaries to support them, which must be paid out of their fields and vineyards; 1 Samuel 8:14. In one word, that, to sustain his dignity, their king would exact the 10th of all they possessed, and be maintained in a royal manner out of their estates. See Puffendorff de Rebus Gestis Philippi.

return to '