1 Samuel 8:20

“That we also may be like all the nations, etc.] Even though they were slaves, like them; a king they would have, as they had, such was their stupidity. It was their greatest honour and glory, as well as happiness, not to be like other nations; as in their religion, laws, and liberties, so in their form of government; God being their King in such a peculiar sense as he was not of others, but with this they could not be content: and that our king may judge us; hear their causes, administer justice and judgment to them, protect their persons and properties, and rule them according to the civil laws that were given them: and go out before us, and fight our battles; which Samuel their present…”

“Fight our battles - It appears from 1 Samuel 12:12, that the warlike movements of Nahash had already begun to excite alarm. return to 'Top of Page'”

“Be like - What stupidity! It was their happiness that they were unlike all other nations, Num 23:9; Deu 33:28, as in other glorious privileges, so especially in this, that the Lord was their immediate king and lawgiver. But they will have a king to go out before them, and to fight their battles. Could they desire a battle better fought for them than the last was, by Samuel's prayers and God's thunders? Were they fond to try the chance of war, at the same uncertainty that others did? And what was the issue? Their first king was slain in battle: and so was Joshua, one of the last and best. 1 Kings (1 Samuel) 8:21”

“8:20 God had set Israel apart from the nations (Lev 20:26; Num 23:9). By insisting on a king and desiring to be like the nations, they were rejecting God’s plan (see 1 Sam 8:5-7; cp. Deut 17:14). • judge us and lead us into battle: Kings performed three basic functions: (1) waging offensive and defensive war, (2) administering law, and (3) ensuring economic well-being.”

“Sa1 8:5; Exo 33:16; Lev 20:24-26; Num 23:9; Deu 7:6; Psa 106:35; Joh 15:19; Rom 12:12; Co2 6:17; Phi 3:20; Pe1 2:9 1 Kings (1 Samuel) 8:21”