1 Samuel 8:1–22 . . . Bible Study Summary with Videos and Questions
“Give Us a King to Lead Us”
Early in 1 Samuel, the Israelites thought they'd benefit from using the ark of God as a good-luck charm instead of appreciating it as a sacred object. After suffering defeat at the hands of the Philistines, the Israelites brought out the ark and took it into battle with them (see our summary of 1 Sam. 4:1–22), hoping it would bring them victory. As we know, it didn't. Now in chapter 8, it's not the ark but a king in whom the Israelites will place their trust and hope. This chapter marks ancient Israel's transition from judgeship to kingship. The Israelites’ desire for a king is but another event in their long history of looking for a source of benefits outside of God and his kingdom. Let's focus on critical changes that this chapter presents in its account of Israel’s history, documenting how slow Israel was to learn.
Chapter 8 is divided into two parts. In vv. 1–5, we'll see Samuel make his two sons "judges over Israel" in his golden years; sadly, his sons won't walk in his ways; the Israelites will then demand their own king. In vv. 6–22, Samuel resists their plea for a king; he prays for guidance; the Lord tells him, listen to the people but warn them that a king would take away their sons for military endeavors; the king would also take the best for himself, including numerous tithes, ultimately making the people become the king's slaves; ironically, the people will cry out even more for their own king.
“We Want a King!” (8:1–5)
Much of Samuel’s life and ministry was passed over until chapter 8. The Israelites in Canaan had lived in separate territories, not within a united Israel. In v. 1, we find Samuel as a man getting up in his years, perhaps getting ready to retire. He'll appoint his two sons, Joel and Abijah, as judges for Israel, stationed in the frontier town of Beersheba. The people probably wouldn't have pressed for a king at this time had Samuel's sons proven to be as faithful to the Mosaic Covenant as their father had been. Samuel wasn't only gifted as a priest and judge, he was also a prophet. Apparently, God hadn't so gifted Samuel's two sons (nor Eli's sons). It became obvious to Samuel that both had become corrupt, however, nothing more is said of their corruption or ministry. Over all, both sons weren't godly men like their father; neither did they follow nor “walk in his ways” (v. 3).
All of Israel's elders collectively told Samuel that, because he was old and that his sons weren't following his way, their nation required a king (v. 4). Their proposed solution was foolish. The folly of their logic sounded like this: Samuel, you're getting old, and your sons who'll replace you are corrupt. We can't have a bright future if our leaders are corrupt. Let’s create a new order with a king like other nations. Let him judge us within his dynasty, so that the king's son will rule in his place after his death, for generations to come.
It was God who raised judges, yet God was excluded from the elders' purposed proposal. He didn't create a dynasty of judges in which their sons replaced them. Seeing Samuel’s sons as corrupt, they could have been set aside by the elders, as they were. But to propose a dynasty amounted to calling for a system in which the king’s sons would rule in succession, whether they were wicked or righteous. That couldn't be a cure! They simply wanted a king — without God's presence and influence — to become their judge, rather than having judges who acted as Samuel had done. They weren't trying to fire Samuel as their judge; they sought to fire God as their King.
The Reason for Requesting a King (vv. 6–9)
6But when they said, “Give us a king to lead us,” this displeased Samuel; so he prayed to the Lord. 7And the Lord told him: “Listen to all that the people are saying to you; it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king. 8As they have done from the day I brought them up out of Egypt until this day, forsaking me and serving other gods, so they are doing to you. 9Now listen to them; but warn them solemnly and let them know what the king who will reign over them will claim as his rights” (1 Sam. 8:6–9).
Look closely at the reason for demanding a king. God had made provision for kings to rule his people in the Mosaic Law (Deut. 17:14– cf. Gen. 1:26– 17:6, 16; 35:11; 49:10). The request in itself wasn't what displeased Samuel and God. Note: The request had come from "all the elders of Israel" (v. 4). God likely realized it this way: "Elsewhere a king was god, but in Israel, God was to be King." However, the elders' request expressed a desire to be "like all nations." But God's purpose for Israel was that it be different from all nations, superior to them, and be a lesson for them (Exodus 19:5–6). God saw their demand as one more instance of Israelite apostasy that prevailed since the Exodus (cf. Numbers 14:11). He acceded to their request, as he'd done many times before (by providing manna, quail, and water in the wilderness). However, he combined judgment with his grace, then and today.
Samuel wasn't at all pleased with the elders’ proposal. While it's true that they were seeking his replacement, the text tells us that this proposed change “displeased Samuel.” Simply put, Samuel knew that their request was wrong and that it was sinful. His response further confirmed his godly character: He didn't rebuke the elders, shaming them with his disapproval and anger; he went to God in prayer, as he was inclined to do. God’s response to Samuel’s prayer confirmed Samuel’s assessment of the situation. God informed him that, ultimately, it was he, not Samuel, whom they were rejecting.
Remember: God had become Israel’s King (capital "K") at the exodus. In v. 8, God reminded Samuel that Israel’s current rejection of him wasn't something new; it was one more instance in a constant succession of rejections, since the exodus. Their rejection of God as King, while asking for a king “such as all the nations have,” is nothing less than idolatry. The king they wanted was to become their “god.” Having exposed the roots of their worldly proposal, God then instructed Samuel to listen to the people and accept their demand for a king. Although Samuel was to grant the people's request, he was also to advise them of what the king "who will reign over them will claim as his rights” (v. 9b).
The Consequences of Requesting a King (vv. 10–18)
In v. 10, Samuel “told all the words of the LORD to the people who were asking him for a king.” Thus, he told the people what God had told him in vv. 7–9, and perhaps other words that God spoke that aren't recorded in our text. But the author wanted us to focus on words recorded in vv. 10–18, which appear to be a very significant part of Samuel’s message to the Israelites who demanded a king. He explained to them what it would mean for them to have a king similar to others. The elders were interested in the functions of monarchy, but Samuel pointed out the nature of monarchy. It meant a loss of freedoms and possessions that people presently enjoyed. In vv. 11–17, Samuel didn't define the rights of a king. Instead he described the ways of most kings. Note the recurrence of the words "take" (seven times) and "best" (twice) in the NIV.
Another consequence of kingship was financial cost. What the Israelites were demanding was very costly. To have a king who'd lead them to war required a standing army. Being ruled by a king, life on farms would be different. The king would draft Israel's sons into military service; they'd drive his chariots or serve as horsemen or infantry soldiers, with some being drafted as officers. A standing army also needed supplies. Israelite sons would have to plant and harvest crops and build and maintain military equipment and the requisite non-military supplies. And it wouldn't be only young men whom the king would draft into his service; the Israelites’ daughters, who once sat or served at their fathers’ table, would be required to serve at the king’s table as perfumers, cooks, bakers, etc.
But the price tag would become even larger. The king and his courts would consume a large quantity of very fine food. To afford that rich cuisine, the king would have to assess a tax on all growth. Their best grain would go to the king, along with the finest of their vineyards, groves, and pastures. A good portion of those fine things that an Israelite farm family once enjoyed would be consumed by the king’s servants. A tenth of farmers' seed and vines would be have to be collected to enable the king’s servants to plant their fields (on land the king would take from the people).
Add to that the high cost of a king needing staff to serve him. So he'd take the best of Israel's male and female servants. Also, the king would require livestock, and donkeys to plow the king’s fields, all of which the people would have to supply. In short, when the people's king is crowned, he'd rule heavily over them. People who'd enjoyed freedom would soon become the king's slaves. Once they'd finally realize what they'd gotten themselves into, it would be too late to change anything. The Israelites would one day cry out to God to relieve them of the oppression of their own king, but God wouldn't want to hear their outcries, since they'd agreed with wide-open eyes to become their king's slaves.
God Meets Israel’s Demand (vv. 19–22)
19But the people refused to listen to Samuel. “No!” they said. “We want a king over us. 20Then we will be like all the other nations, with a king to lead us and to go out before us and fight our battles.”
21When Samuel heard all that the people said, he repeated it before the Lord. 22The Lord answered, “Listen to them and give them a king” (1 Sam. 8:19–22).
Israel wanted a king. But Samuel warned that they'd pay dearly if they obtained a big government. Excess cost didn't matter to the people or their elders; they were determined to have their own king; they refused to listen to Samuel. Neither did they heed his warnings; they insisted on having a king who'd judge them and go before them in battle, a king to do their judging and their fighting.
Samuel listened to all that the people had to say. He then went to the LORD, repeating all that they'd said to him (v. 21), which is interesting. We shouldn't be at all surprised to read that Samuel went to the people, telling them everything that the LORD had said to him (v. 10). But why did Samuel feel it necessary to tell the LORD all that the people had said to him? It's because Samuel, just like us, needed to talk, commune, and pray with God. We aren't to pray in order to inform him of things; instead, we pray to God because we need him in our life. We must be hearty in how we pray, sharing our burdens and concerns with him. Samuel told God everything the people had said, not because God needed to be informed, but because Samuel [and us] needed to become more personally intimate with God.
In answer to Samuel’s prayer, God once again instructed him to give the people what they demanded. And so, not knowing who this king would be, Samuel sent the Israelites to their homes till God indicated the identity of their new king (v. 22).
Intro Video: “The First Book of Samuel”
- Q. 1 Why was rejecting Samuel the same as rejecting God (v. 7)?
- Q. 2 Why does the Lord seem to give in to the Israelites (v. 22)?
1 Samweli 8:22 . . "Kutokana na mambo hayo, Biblia inasema hivi: ""Tupe mfalme atakayetuongoza."" (1 Samweli 1:8) Waisraeli walifikiri kwamba wangepata faida ya kutumia sanduku la Mungu kama kitu cha kuvutia badala ya kuliona kuwa kitu kitakatifu." Baada ya kushindwa na Wafilisti, Waisraeli walileta sanduku la agano na kulipeleka vitani. - 1 Sam. 4:12), wakitumaini kwamba hilo lingewapatia ushindi. Kama tunavyojua, haikufanya hivyo. "Kama ilivyoelezwa katika sura ya 8, ""si sanduku la Mungu bali ni mfalme ambaye Waisraeli watamtegemea na kumwamini.""" Sura hii inaonyesha mabadiliko ya Israeli ya kale kutoka kwa uamuzi hadi ufalme. Tamaa ya Waisraeli ya kuwa na mfalme ni tukio jingine tu katika historia yao ndefu ya kutafuta chanzo cha manufaa nje ya Mungu na ufalme wake. Hebu tuangalie mabadiliko muhimu ambayo sura hii inatoa katika akaunti yake ya historia ya Israeli, kuhariri jinsi Israel ilikuwa polepole kujifunza. Sura ya 8 imegawanywa katika sehemu mbili. Katika mstari wa 5. "Samueli anawaweka wanawe wawili kuwa ""waamuzi juu ya Israeli"" katika miaka yake ya dhahabu, lakini wanawe hawatatembea katika njia zake, na Waisraeli watataka mfalme wao." Katika mstari wa 5. "Samueli anajibu kwa kuomba mfalme, lakini Yehova anamwambia, ""Sikiliza watu, lakini uwaonye kwamba mfalme atawachukua wana wao kwa ajili ya kazi za kijeshi; mfalme atachukua pia vitu bora zaidi kwa ajili yake mwenyewe, kutia ndani sehemu nyingi za kumi, na hatimaye watu watakuwa watumwa wa mfalme.""" "Tunataka Mfalme!" (8:15) Sehemu kubwa ya maisha na huduma ya Samweli ilipitishwa hadi sura ya 8. Waisraeli katika Kanaani walikuwa wameishi katika maeneo tofauti, si ndani ya Israeli iliyoungana. Katika mstari wa 1 na 2, tunaona kwamba Samweli alikuwa mtu mzee sana, na huenda alikuwa akijitayarisha kustaafu. "Akawaweka wanawe wawili, Yoeli na Abiya, kuwa waamuzi wa Israeli, na kuwaweka katika mji wa mpaka wa Beer-sheba.""" Watu hawangeomba mfalme wakati huo kama wana wa Samweli wangekuwa waaminifu kwa agano la Musa kama baba yao. Samweli hakuwa tu kuhani na hakimu, bali pia alikuwa nabii. Yaonekana, Mungu hakuwa amewapa hivyo wana wawili wa Samweli (wala wana wa Eli). "Samueli aliona wazi kwamba wote wawili walikuwa wameharibika, lakini hakuna jambo lingine linalotajwa kuhusu ufisadi wao au huduma yao.""" Zaidi ya yote, wana wote wawili hawakuwa watu wa Mungu kama baba yao; wala hawakumfuata wala 'kutembea katika njia zake' (mstari wa 3). "Wazee wote wa Israeli wakamwambia Samweli kwamba kwa sababu alikuwa mzee na wanawe hawakuwa wakimfuata, taifa lao lilihitaji mfalme.""" Suluhisho walilopendekeza lilikuwa la kipumbavu. "Kama vile wanavyoweza kusema, ""Samueli, umezeeka, na wana wako watakaokuchukua nafasi yako ni waovu.""" Hatuwezi kuwa na siku zijazo zenye kung'aa ikiwa viongozi wetu ni wafisadi. Hebu tufanye utaratibu mpya na mfalme kama mataifa mengine. "Atuhukumu katika ukoo wake, ili mwana wa mfalme atatawale mahali pake baada ya kifo chake, kwa vizazi vijavyo.""" Mungu ndiye aliyeweka waamuzi, lakini Mungu hakuwamo katika mpango wa wazee. Yeye hakuunda nasaba ya mahakimu ambao wana wao waliwachukua nafasi yao. Kwa kuwa wana wa Samweli walikuwa na tabia mbaya, wazee waliweza kuwaondoa katika kutaniko. Lakini kupendekeza nasaba ilikuwa kama kutaka mfumo ambao wana wa mfalme wangetawala mfululizo, iwe walikuwa waovu au waadilifu. Hilo haliwezi kuwa tiba! Walitaka tu mfalme - bila uwepo na uvutano wa Mungu - awe mwamuzi wao, badala ya kuwa na waamuzi waliotenda kama Samweli alivyotenda. Hawakumkataa Samweli kuwa hakimu wao, bali walimkataa Mungu kuwa mfalme wao. Sababu ya Kuomba Mfalme (mstari wa 6) "6 Lakini walipokuwa wakisema, ""Tupe mfalme atakayetuongoza,"" jambo hilo halikumfurahisha Samweli, naye akamwomba BWANA." 7 Bwana akamwambia, Sikiliza yote watu wanayosema kwako; si wewe waliyekukataa, bali mimi walinikataa kuwa mfalme wao. 8 Kama walivyofanya tangu siku niliyowapeleka kutoka Misri mpaka leo, wakiniacha mimi na kuabudu miungu mingine, ndivyo wanavyofanya kwako. 9 Sasa wasikilize; lakini waonye kwa nguvu, na uwaambie kile mfalme atakayetawala juu yao atakachodai kuwa haki yake. 8:6-9). (Mithali 8:6-11) Angalia kwa makini sababu ya kudai mfalme. Mungu alikuwa ameweka utaratibu wa kuwapa wafalme mamlaka juu ya watu wake katika Sheria ya Musa. 17:14 <unk> tazama. Mwanzo 1:26-17; 1 Wafalme 7:11; 1 Wafalme 8:4; 1 Wafalme 8:4; 1 Wafalme 9:5; 1 Wafalme 9:5; 1 Wafalme 10:5; 1 Wafalme 11:5; 1 Wafalme 11:5; 1 Wafalme 11:5; 1 Wafalme 11:5; 1 Wafalme 11:5; 1 Wafalme 11:5; 1 Wafalme 11:5; 1 Wafalme 11:5; 1 Wafalme 11:5; 1 Wafalme 11:5; 1 Wafalme 11:5; 2 Wafalme 11:5; 1 Wafalme 11:5; 2 Wafalme 11:5; 2 Wafalme 11:5; 2 Wafalme 11:5; 2 Wafalme 11:5; 2 Wafalme 11:5; Kwa kweli, ombi hilo halikuwa jambo ambalo lilimkasirisha Samweli na Mungu. Kumbuka: Ombi hilo lilikuwa limetoka kwa "wakubwa wote wa Israeli" (mstari wa 4). "Mungu alijua jambo hilo kwa njia hii: ""Kwenye mahali pengine mfalme alikuwa mungu, lakini katika Israeli Mungu alikuwa Mfalme.""" Hata hivyo, ombi la wazee lilionyesha tamaa ya kuwa "kama mataifa yote". Lakini kusudi la Mungu kwa Israeli lilikuwa kwamba wawe tofauti na mataifa yote, kuwa bora kuliko wao, na kuwa somo kwao (Kutoka 19: 5-6). Mungu aliona madai yao kuwa mfano mwingine wa uasi-imani wa Waisraeli uliokuwa umeenea tangu Kutoka (taz. (Hesabu 14:11; 1 Wakorintho 6:9) Alikubali ombi lao, kama vile alivyokuwa amefanya mara nyingi kabla ya hapo (kwa kuwapa mana, vipepeo, na maji jangwani). Hata hivyo, alishiriki hukumu na neema yake, wakati huo na leo. Samweli hakupendezwa hata kidogo na pendekezo la wazee. Ingawa ni kweli kwamba walikuwa wakitafuta mtu wa kumchukua mahali pake, andiko hilo linatuambia kwamba mabadiliko hayo yaliyopendekezwa 'haikumfurahisha' Samweli. "Jibu lake lilithibitisha zaidi tabia yake ya kimungu: ""Hakuwawakemea wazee, akiwafanya kuwa aibu kwa kukataa kwake na hasira yake; alienda kwa Mungu katika sala, kama alivyovutiwa kufanya.""" Jibu la Mungu kwa sala ya Samweli lilithibitisha maoni ya Samweli kuhusu hali hiyo. Mungu alimwambia kwamba, hatimaye, ni yeye, si Samweli, ambaye walikuwa wakimkataa. Kumbuka: Mungu alikuwa amekuwa Mfalme wa Israeli (kubwa "K") wakati wa kutoka kwa Waisraeli. Katika mstari wa 8, Mungu alimkumbusha Samweli kwamba kukataliwa kwa sasa kwa Israeli hakukuwa jambo jipya; ilikuwa ni mfano mwingine katika mfululizo wa kukataliwa tangu Kutoka. Kukataa kwao Mungu kuwa Mfalme, huku wakimwomba mfalme <unk>kama vile mataifa yote yanavyo<unk>, si kitu kidogo kuliko ibada ya sanamu. Mfalme waliotaka alikuwa kuwa <unk> mungu wao.<unk> Baada ya kufunua mizizi ya pendekezo lao la kilimwengu, Mungu alimwagiza Samweli asikilize watu na kukubali ombi lao la mfalme. Ingawa Samweli alipaswa kuitikia ombi la watu, alipaswa pia kuwapa ushauri kuhusu kile ambacho mfalme "ambaye atatawala juu yao atadai kuwa haki zake" (mstari wa 9b). Matokeo ya Kuomba Mfalme (mstari wa 6) "Samueli 10:10 ""Akawaambia watu maneno yote ya BWANA, waliomwomba mfalme."" 10 Hivyo akawaambia watu yale ambayo Mungu alikuwa amemwambia katika mstari wa 10." 7:9), na labda maneno mengine ambayo Mungu alisema ambayo hayajaandikwa katika maandishi yetu. Lakini mwandishi alitaka tuzingatie maneno yaliyoandikwa katika v. "Samueli aliandika maneno haya katika kitabu cha 1 Samweli 10:18: ""Hii ndiyo maana ya ujumbe wa Samweli kwa Waisraeli waliotaka mfalme.""" Aliwaeleza maana ya kuwa na mfalme kama wao. Wazee walipendezwa na kazi za utawala wa kifalme, lakini Samweli alielekeza fikira kwenye asili ya utawala wa kifalme. Ilimaanisha kupoteza uhuru na mali ambazo watu walifurahia kwa sasa. Katika mstari wa 5. "11:17 ""Samueli hakutaja haki za mfalme." Badala yake alifafanua njia za wafalme wengi. "Kumbuka kwamba maneno ""kuchukua"" (mara saba) na ""bora"" (mara mbili) yanapatikana mara nyingi katika Biblia ya Biblia ya Kigiriki ya Kati." Matokeo mengine ya ufalme yalikuwa gharama za kifedha. Kwa hiyo, Waisraeli waliomba pesa nyingi sana. Ili kuwa na mfalme ambaye angewaongoza vitani ilihitaji jeshi la kudumu. Ikiwa wangetawaliwa na mfalme, maisha katika mashamba yangekuwa tofauti. Mfalme aliwaandikisha wana wa Israeli katika jeshi, wakiongoza magari yake ya vita, wakawa wapanda farasi, na wengine wakawa maofisa. Jeshi la kudumu lilihitaji pia vifaa. Wana wa Israeli walipaswa kupanda na kuvuna mazao na kujenga na kudumisha vifaa vya kijeshi na vifaa vya ziada. "Hata hivyo, ""wavulana wa kiume"" hawakupaswa kupewa nafasi ya kuwa watumishi wa mfalme, kwa kuwa wana wa Israeli waliotawala wakati mmoja walikuwa wameketi au kutumikia mezani mwa baba zao, nao walipaswa kuwa ""watengenezaji wa manukato, wapishi, waokaji wa mikate, na wengineo.""" Lakini bei ingekuwa kubwa hata zaidi. Mfalme na watu wa makao yake walitumia chakula kingi sana. Ili kupata vyakula hivyo vyenye kupendeza, mfalme alipaswa kukusanya kodi juu ya mazao yote. Mazao yao bora zaidi yangeenda kwa mfalme, pamoja na mizabibu yao bora zaidi, mashamba yao, na malisho yao. Sehemu kubwa ya vitu hivyo vyema ambavyo wakati mmoja familia ya wakulima wa Israeli ilifurahia ilitumiwa na watumishi wa mfalme. Kumi ya mbegu na mizabibu ya wakulima ilihitaji kukusanywa ili kuwezesha watumishi wa mfalme kupanda mashamba yao (kwa ardhi ambayo mfalme angechukua kutoka kwa watu). Kwa kuongezea, ni gharama kubwa sana kwa mfalme kuhitaji wafanyakazi ili kumtumikia. Kwa hiyo, aliwatwaa watumishi wa Israeli wa kiume na wa kike walio bora zaidi. Pia, mfalme angehitaji mifugo, na punda ili kulima mashamba ya mfalme, yote ambayo watu wangelazimika kuandaa. Kwa kifupi, mfalme wa watu anapopakwa taji, atawatawala kwa nguvu. Watu waliokuwa na uhuru punde si punde wangekuwa watumwa wa mfalme. Mwishowe walipoona walivyokuwa wamejiingiza, ingekuwa kuchelewa sana kubadili chochote. Siku moja Waisraeli wangemlilia Mungu ili awaondolee ukandamizaji wa mfalme wao, lakini Mungu hakutaka kusikia kilio chao, kwa kuwa walikuwa wamekubaliana kwa macho yao yote kuwa watumwa wa mfalme wao. Mungu Anakidhi Mahitaji ya Israeli (mstari wa 6) 19 Lakini watu wakakataa kumsikiliza Samweli. "Hapana!" wakasema. <unk>Tunataka mfalme juu yetu. 20 Ndipo tutakapokuwa kama mataifa mengine yote, na mfalme atakayetuongoza, na kutuacha, na kutupigana vita vyetu; 21 Samweli aliposikia hayo yote watu waliosema, akawaambia mbele za Bwana. 22 Bwana akajibu, Wasikilizeni, mkawape mfalme. 8:19-22; Mathayo 24:28-30). Israeli walitaka mfalme. Lakini Samuel aliwaonya kwamba wangelipa sana ikiwa wangepata serikali kubwa. Watu hao na wazee wao hawakuona umuhimu wa gharama za ziada; walikuwa wameazimia kuwa na mfalme wao wenyewe; walikataa kumsikiliza Samweli. Lakini hawakuchukua tahadhari zake; walisisitiza kuwa na mfalme ambaye angewaamua na kwenda mbele yao vitani, mfalme wa kuwahukumu na kupigana. Samweli alisikiliza yote ambayo watu walikuwa wakisema. Kisha akaenda kwa Bwana, akirudia yote waliyomwambia (mstari wa 21), ambayo ni ya kuvutia. "Hatuwezi kushangaa kusoma kwamba Samweli alienda kwa watu, na kuwaambia kila kitu BWANA alimwambia. """ Lakini kwa nini Samweli alihisi ni lazima kumwambia BWANA yote ambayo watu walikuwa wamemwambia? Kwa sababu Samweli, kama sisi, alihitaji kuzungumza, kushirikiana, na kusali pamoja na Mungu. Hatuwezi kuomba ili kumjulisha mambo; badala yake, tunamwomba Mungu kwa sababu tunamhitaji katika maisha yetu. Ni lazima tuwe na moyo mweupe katika jinsi tunavyosali, tukimshirikisha mizigo na mahangaiko yetu. Samweli alimwambia Mungu kila kitu watu walikuwa wamesema, si kwa sababu Mungu alihitaji kuarifiwa, bali kwa sababu Samweli [na sisi] tulihitaji kuwa na uhusiano wa karibu zaidi na Mungu. Kwa kujibu sala ya Samweli, Mungu alimwagiza tena awape watu kile walichotaka. Kwa hiyo, bila kujua mfalme huyo angekuwa nani, Samweli aliwapeleka Waisraeli nyumbani kwao mpaka Mungu alipowaonyesha ni nani mfalme wao mpya (mstari wa 22). Video ya utangulizi: <unk> Kitabu cha Kwanza cha Samweli <unk> - Q. 1 Kwa nini kumkataa Samweli kulimaanisha kumkataa Mungu? - Q. "Kwa nini Yehova anaonekana kuwa ""mwenye kuwaruhusu Waisraeli"" (Mstari wa 22)?"