Samuel listened to all the words of the peopleSamuel, the last judge of Israel, is depicted as a faithful servant who listens attentively to the demands of the Israelites. The people are requesting a king to rule over them, desiring to be like other nations. This request marks a significant shift in Israel's governance, moving from a theocracy to a monarchy. The people's demand reflects their lack of faith in God's unique leadership and protection, as they seek human authority instead. This moment is pivotal in Israel's history, as it sets the stage for the anointing of Saul as the first king. Samuel's role as a prophet and judge is crucial, as he acts as an intermediary between God and the people.
and repeated them in the hearing of the LORD
Samuel's action of repeating the people's words to the LORD demonstrates his role as a mediator. This phrase underscores the importance of prayer and communication with God, highlighting Samuel's faithfulness in bringing the people's concerns before the LORD. It also reflects the biblical principle of seeking God's guidance in decision-making. The act of repeating the words signifies a formal presentation of the people's request, acknowledging God's sovereignty in the matter. This moment foreshadows the eventual establishment of the monarchy, which, despite its challenges, is part of God's divine plan, leading to the lineage of David and ultimately to Jesus Christ, the King of Kings.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
SamuelA prophet and judge of Israel, Samuel was a pivotal figure in the transition from the period of judges to the establishment of the monarchy. He was dedicated to God by his mother, Hannah, and served as a faithful leader and intermediary between God and the people.
2.
The People of IsraelAt this time, the Israelites were demanding a king to lead them, like the other nations. This request marked a significant shift in their governance and spiritual life, as they moved away from direct divine leadership through judges.
3.
The LORDThe covenant God of Israel, who had led and provided for His people. The LORD's response to the people's request for a king would shape the future of Israel.
4.
The Event of Requesting a KingThis event was a turning point in Israel's history, as the people rejected God's direct rule in favor of a human monarchy, which would have profound implications for their national identity and spiritual fidelity.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Seeking God's WillSamuel's action of bringing the people's request before the LORD underscores the importance of seeking divine guidance in decision-making. In our lives, we should prioritize prayer and discernment to align our desires with God's will.
Understanding the Consequences of Our ChoicesThe Israelites' demand for a king was not just a political decision but a spiritual one with long-term consequences. We must consider how our choices reflect our trust in God and their potential impact on our spiritual journey.
God's Sovereignty and Human Free WillThis passage illustrates the tension between God's sovereignty and human free will. While God allows the Israelites to choose a king, He remains in control and works through their decisions to fulfill His purposes.
The Role of a Faithful IntermediarySamuel's role as a mediator between God and the people highlights the importance of having spiritual leaders who faithfully represent God's will and guide others in truth.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of 1 Samuel 8:21?
2.How does 1 Samuel 8:21 demonstrate Samuel's obedience to God's guidance?
3.What can we learn about prayer from Samuel's response in 1 Samuel 8:21?
4.How does Samuel's action connect with Philippians 4:6 about presenting requests to God?
5.How can we apply Samuel's example of seeking God's will in decision-making?
6.What does Samuel's response teach about handling rejection or disappointment in leadership?
7.Why did Samuel relay the people's words to the LORD in 1 Samuel 8:21?
8.How does 1 Samuel 8:21 reflect on the Israelites' rejection of God as king?
9.What does 1 Samuel 8:21 reveal about the role of prophets in ancient Israel?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from 1 Samuel 8?
11.Exodus 28:30: How reliable is the claim about the Urim and Thummim, given the lack of concrete archeological evidence or consistent references elsewhere?
12.Why does Solomon's prayer in 1 Kings 8:33-34 promise national restoration to Israel if they repent, when other biblical passages suggest God's judgment can remain despite repentance?
13.How does Deuteronomy 17:14-20's endorsement of a human king align with 1 Samuel 8's warning against monarchy, and are these texts contradictory?
14.Who incited David to take a census? (2 Samuel 24:1 vs. 1 Chronicles 21:1)What Does 1 Samuel 8:21 Mean
Samuel- The man at the center of the verse is Israel’s last judge and first great prophet after Moses.
• From childhood he had been trained to recognize God’s voice (1 Samuel 3:10, 19–21).
• Jeremiah later lists Samuel beside Moses as a premier intercessor (Jeremiah 15:1).
• His lifelong ministry shows a servant who consistently placed God’s will above public opinion (1 Samuel 7:15–17).
listened to all the words of the people- The people had just demanded, “Appoint a king over us” (1 Samuel 8:5).
- Samuel does not cut them off or half-hear; he takes in “all” their words.
• God had already foreseen this request centuries earlier (Deuteronomy 17:14–15).
• A faithful leader must hear even painful words before bringing them to God (James 1:19).
- Practical takeaway: good listening precedes godly response.
and repeated them- Samuel repeats the petition exactly as given, holding nothing back.
• Moses modeled the same practice at Sinai when he “reported the words of the people to the LORD” (Exodus 19:8–9).
• Integrity in intercession means we do not spin or sanitize what others have said; we present the truth as it is (Proverbs 12:17).
- His accuracy shows respect both for the people’s agency and for God’s omniscience.
in the hearing of the LORD- The phrase pictures Samuel entering prayer, confident that God listens.
• Earlier the same day, “Samuel prayed to the LORD” over the matter (1 Samuel 8:6).
• Scripture assures that “the eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their cry” (Psalm 34:15; cf.Psalm 65:2).
- By voicing the request before God, Samuel acknowledges the LORD as the true King, even while Israel clamors for a human one.
summary1 Samuel 8:21 captures the heart of prophetic ministry: a servant of God hears the people fully, conveys their words faithfully, and lays the matter openly before the listening Lord. Samuel’s action models honest intercession and underscores that every human request ultimately stands for divine review.
(21)
In the ears of the Lord.--Again the seer returns from the council chamber, where he had met the elders of the people, to some quiet spot, probably the sanctuary he had set up in his own "Ramah of the Watchers," where he poured out his heart before his God-Friend.
Verse 21. -
All the words. The elders had of course reported to Samuel all the arguments used in the assembly, and just as previously he had carried his own distress at the national discontent with his government to Jehovah's footstool in prayer (ver. 6), so now, in his mediatorial office as prophet, he carries thither the nation's petition.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
Samuelשְׁמוּאֵ֔ל(šə·mū·’êl)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 8050:Samuel -- 'name of God', a prophet of Israellistenedוַיִּשְׁמַ֣ע(way·yiš·ma‘)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 8085:To hear intelligentlyto allכָּל־(kāl-)Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605:The whole, all, any, everythe wordsדִּבְרֵ֣י(diḇ·rê)Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1697:A word, a matter, thing, a causeof the peopleהָעָ֑ם(hā·‘ām)Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5971:A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flockand repeated themוַֽיְדַבְּרֵ֖ם(way·ḏab·bə·rêm)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine plural
Strong's 1696:To arrange, to speak, to subduein the hearingבְּאָזְנֵ֥י(bə·’ā·zə·nê)Preposition-b | Noun - fdc
Strong's 241:Broadness, the earof the LORD.יְהוָֽה׃(Yah·weh)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068:LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel
Links
1 Samuel 8:21 NIV1 Samuel 8:21 NLT1 Samuel 8:21 ESV1 Samuel 8:21 NASB1 Samuel 8:21 KJV
1 Samuel 8:21 BibleApps.com1 Samuel 8:21 Biblia Paralela1 Samuel 8:21 Chinese Bible1 Samuel 8:21 French Bible1 Samuel 8:21 Catholic Bible
OT History: 1 Samuel 8:21 Samuel heard all the words (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa) 
