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1 Samuel 8:21

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 1 Samuel 8:21 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And Samuel heard all the words of the people, and he rehearsed them in the ears of Jehovah.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And Samuel heard all the words of the people, and he rehearsed them in the ears of Jehovah.
1 Samuel 8:21 — American Standard Version

Context — 1 Samuel 8

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
18And ye shall cry out in that day because of your king whom ye shall have chosen you; and Jehovah will not answer you in that day.
19But the people refused to hearken unto the voice of Samuel; and they said, Nay: but we will have a king over us,
20that we also may be like all the nations, and that our king may judge us, and go out before us, and fight our battles.
21And Samuel heard all the words of the people, and he rehearsed them in the ears of Jehovah.
22And Jehovah said to Samuel, Hearken unto their voice, and make them a king. And Samuel said unto the men of Israel, Go ye every man unto his city.
← 1 Samuel 8:201 Samuel 8:22 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And Samuel heard all the words of the people, etc.] Patiently, and without interruption; attentively heard them, took notice of them, laid them up in his memory; but gave no answer to them, but reported them to the Lord, as in the next clause: and he rehearsed them in the ears of the Lord; privately, in a free and familiar manner, with great exactness, as they were expressed; this he did, not before the people publicly, but in secret prayer, seeking for direction what he should further do, or what answer he should return to them.”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Rehearsed - He repeated them privately between God and himself; for his own vindication and comfort: and as a foundation for his prayers to God, for direction and assistance. 1 Kings (1 Samuel) 8:22”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“8:21 repeated to the Lord: The role of a prophet included bringing the people’s case before God (cp. Num 27:5).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“he rehearsed: Jdg 11:11 1 Kings (1 Samuel) 8:22”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“These words of the people were laid by Samuel before the Lord, and the Lord commanded him to give the people a king. With this answer Samuel sent the men of Israel, i.e., the elders, away. This is implied in the words, "Go ye every man unto his city," since we may easily supply from the context, "till I shall call you again, to appoint you the king you desire." Next: 1 Kings (1 Samuel) Chapter 9”
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Related study paths

Read 1 Samuel 8 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification