Clarke's Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 8:9
Verse 9. Show them the manner of the king] The word fpm mishpat, which we here render manner, signifies simply what the king would and might require, according to the manner in which kings in general ruled; all of whom, in those times, were absolute and despotic. The whole of this manner of the king is well illustrated by Puffendorf.
"Hitherto," says he, "the people of Israel had lived under governors raised up of 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 able to resist any invasion. Sam. informs them what it was 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 viii. 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, ver. 14. In one word, that to sustain his dignity their king would exact the tenth of all they possessed, and be maintained in a royal manner out of their estates," It is perfectly vain in Grotius, or any one else, to state that this shows what a king, as king, may any where in virtue of his office, claim and exact; and that he can take the property and persons of his subjects, and dispose of them as he may judge necessary for the exigence of the state. This was the manner of Saul, but Saul was not a king of God's choosing: "He gave him in his wrath, and took him away in his displeasure;" and the manner of such a king should not be arrogated by any potentate who affects to rule jure divino, by Divine right. The manner of the king of God's choice is distinctly detailed, Deut. xvii. 15-20, to which the reader will do well to refer, that he may have an impartial statement of the subject.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 9. Now therefore hearken unto their voice , etc.] And appoint them a king as they desire: howbeit, yet protest solemnly unto them ; not against the thing itself, which was permitted, but against the evil of their request, as to the unseasonable time, ill manner, and unjustifiable reason, in and for which it was made; the Lord would have Samuel lay before them their evil in requesting it, and the evils that would follow upon it to them, and faithfully represent them to them, that they might be left without excuse, and have none to blame but themselves when they, should come upon them: and show them the manner of the king that shall reign over them : or the right or judgment f153 ; not a legal right or form of government, but an assumed, arbitrary, and despotic power, such as the kings of the east exercised over their subjects, a king like whom the Israelites desired to have; namely, what unbounded liberties he would take with them, what slaves he would make of them, and what of their property he would take to himself at pleasure, as is after related. The word signifies, not a divine law, according to which the king should govern, but a custom, or a custom he would introduce, as the word is rendered, ( 1 Samuel 2:13) and is different from that in ( 1 Samuel 10:25).
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 4-9 - Samuel was displeased; he could patiently bear what reflected of himself, and his own family; but it displeased him when they said, Giv us a king to judge us, because that reflected upon God. It drove him to his knees. When any thing disturbs us, it is our interest, as well a our duty, to show our trouble before God. Samuel is to tell them tha they shall have a king. Not that God was pleased with their request but as sometimes he opposes us from loving-kindness, so at other time he gratifies us in wrath; he did so here. God knows how to bring glor to himself, and serves his own wise purposes, even by men's foolis counsels.
Original Hebrew
ועתה 6258 שׁמע 8085 בקולם 6963 אך 389 כי 3588 העד 5749 תעיד 5749 בהם והגדת 5046 להם משׁפט 4941 המלך 4428 אשׁר 834 ימלך 4427 עליהם׃ 5921
