1 Samuel 8:11
New International Version
He said, “This is what the king who will reign over you will claim as his rights: He will take your sons and make them serve with his chariots and horses, and they will run in front of his chariots.

New Living Translation
“This is how a king will reign over you,” Samuel said. “The king will draft your sons and assign them to his chariots and his charioteers, making them run before his chariots.

English Standard Version
He said, “These will be the ways of the king who will reign over you: he will take your sons and appoint them to his chariots and to be his horsemen and to run before his chariots.

Berean Standard Bible
He said, “This will be the manner of the king who will reign over you: He will take your sons and appoint them to his own chariots and horses, to run in front of his chariots.

King James Bible
And he said, This will be the manner of the king that shall reign over you: He will take your sons, and appoint them for himself, for his chariots, and to be his horsemen; and some shall run before his chariots.

New King James Version
And he said, “This will be the behavior of the king who will reign over you: He will take your sons and appoint them for his own chariots and to be his horsemen, and some will run before his chariots.

New American Standard Bible
And he said, “This will be the practice of the king who will reign over you: he will take your sons and put them in his chariots for himself and among his horsemen, and they will run before his chariots.

NASB 1995
He said, “This will be the procedure of the king who will reign over you: he will take your sons and place them for himself in his chariots and among his horsemen and they will run before his chariots.

NASB 1977
And he said, “This will be the procedure of the king who will reign over you: he will take your sons and place them for himself in his chariots and among his horsemen and they will run before his chariots.

Legacy Standard Bible
And he said, “This will be the custom of the king who will reign over you: he will take your sons and appoint them for himself in his chariots and among his horsemen, and they will run before his chariots.

Amplified Bible
He said, “These will be the ways of the king who will reign over you: he will take your sons and appoint them for himself to his chariots and among his horsemen and they will run before his chariots.

Christian Standard Bible
He said, “These are the rights of the king who will reign over you: He will take your sons and put them to his use in his chariots, on his horses, or running in front of his chariots.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
He said, “These are the rights of the king who will rule over you: He will take your sons and put them to his use in his chariots, on his horses, or running in front of his chariots.

American Standard Version
And he said, This will be the manner of the king that shall reign over you: he will take your sons, and appoint them unto him, for his chariots, and to be his horsemen; and they shall run before his chariots;

Contemporary English Version
If you have a king, this is how he will treat you. He will force your sons to join his army. Some of them will ride in his chariots, some will serve in the cavalry, and others will run ahead of his own chariot.

English Revised Version
And he said, This will be the manner of the king that shall reign over you: he will take your sons, and appoint them unto him, for his chariots, and to be his horsemen; and they shall run before his chariots:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Samuel said, "These are the rights of a king: He will draft your sons, make them serve on his chariots and horses, and make them run ahead of his chariots.

Good News Translation
"This is how your king will treat you," Samuel explained. "He will make soldiers of your sons; some of them will serve in his war chariots, others in his cavalry, and others will run before his chariots.

International Standard Version
He said, "This is how the king who rules over you will operate: He will conscript your sons and assign them to his chariots. He will conscript them as his horsemen, and they'll run in front of his chariots.

Majority Standard Bible
He said, “This will be the manner of the king who will reign over you: He will take your sons and appoint them to his own chariots and horses, to run in front of his chariots.

NET Bible
He said, "Here are the policies of the king who will rule over you: He will conscript your sons and put them in his chariot forces and in his cavalry; they will run in front of his chariot.

New Heart English Bible
He said, "This will be the way of the king who shall reign over you: he will take your sons, and appoint them to him, for his chariots, and to be his horsemen; and they shall run before his chariots.

Webster's Bible Translation
And he said, This will be the manner of the king that shall reign over you: He will take your sons, and appoint them for himself, for his chariots, and to be his horsemen; and some will run before his chariots.

World English Bible
He said, “This will be the way of the king who shall reign over you: he will take your sons and appoint them as his servants, for his chariots and to be his horsemen; and they will run before his chariots.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and says, “This is the custom of the king who reigns over you: he takes your sons, and has appointed for himself among his chariots, and among his horsemen, and they have run before his chariots;

Young's Literal Translation
and saith, 'This is the custom of the king who doth reign over you: Your sons he doth take, and hath appointed for himself among his chariots, and among his horsemen, and they have run before his chariots;

Smith's Literal Translation
And he will say, This shall be the judgment of the king who shall reign over you: your sons he will take and set for himself, for his chariots and for his horsemen; and running before his chariots.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And said: This will be the right of the king, that shall reign over you: He will take your sons, and put them in his chariots, and will make them his horsemen, and his running footmen to run before his chariots,

Catholic Public Domain Version
And he said: “This will be the right of the king who will have authority over you: He will take your sons, and place them in his chariots. And he will make them his horsemen and his runners before his four-horse chariots.

New American Bible
He told them: “The governance of the king who will rule you will be as follows: He will take your sons and assign them to his chariots and horses, and they will run before his chariot.

New Revised Standard Version
He said, “These will be the ways of the king who will reign over you: he will take your sons and appoint them to his chariots and to be his horsemen, and to run before his chariots;
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Then he said, This will be the law of the king who will reign over you: he will take your sons and appoint them for himself for his chariots, and to be his horsemen; and they shall run before his chariots.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And he said, “This shall be the law of the King who will reign over you: “Your sons he will take and he will appoint for himself in his chariots and for his horsemen and they shall run before his chariots
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And he said: 'This will be the manner of the king that shall reign over you: he will take your sons, and appoint them unto him, for his chariots, and to be his horsemen; and they shall run before his chariots.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And he said, This shall be the manner of the king that shall rule over you: he shall take your sons, and put them in his chariots, and among his horsemen, and running before his chariots,

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Samuel's Warning
10So Samuel spoke all the words of the LORD to the people who were asking him for a king. 11He said, “This will be the manner of the king who will reign over you: He will take your sons and appoint them to his own chariots and horses, to run in front of his chariots. 12He will appoint some for himself as commanders of thousands and of fifties, and others to plow his ground, to reap his harvest, to make his weapons of war, and to equip his chariots.…

Cross References
Deuteronomy 17:14-20
When you enter the land that the LORD your God is giving you and have taken possession of it and settled in it, and you say, “Let us set a king over us like all the nations around us,” / you are to appoint over yourselves the king whom the LORD your God shall choose. Appoint a king from among your brothers; you are not to set over yourselves a foreigner who is not one of your brothers. / But the king must not acquire many horses for himself or send the people back to Egypt to acquire more horses, for the LORD has said, ‘You are never to go back that way again.’ ...

1 Kings 12:4
“Your father put a heavy yoke on us. But now you must lighten the burden of your father’s service and the heavy yoke he put on us, and we will serve you.”

1 Kings 21:7-15
But his wife Jezebel said to him, “Do you not reign over Israel? Get up, eat some food, and be cheerful, for I will get you the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite.” / Then Jezebel wrote letters in Ahab’s name, sealed them with his seal, and sent them to the elders and nobles who lived with Naboth in his city. / In the letters she wrote: “Proclaim a fast and give Naboth a seat of honor among the people. ...

2 Samuel 15:1
Some time later, Absalom provided for himself a chariot with horses and fifty men to run ahead of him.

1 Kings 4:7
Solomon had twelve governors over all Israel to provide food for the king and his household. Each one would arrange provisions for one month of the year,

1 Kings 9:22
But Solomon did not consign any of the Israelites to slavery, because they were his men of war, his servants, his officers, his captains, and the commanders of his chariots and cavalry.

1 Kings 10:25
Year after year, each visitor would bring his tribute: articles of silver and gold, clothing, weapons, spices, horses, and mules.

1 Kings 12:10-11
The young men who had grown up with him replied, “This is how you should answer these people who said to you, ‘Your father made our yoke heavy, but you must make it lighter.’ This is what you should tell them: ‘My little finger is thicker than my father’s waist! / Whereas my father burdened you with a heavy yoke, I will add to your yoke. Whereas my father scourged you with whips, I will scourge you with scorpions.’”

1 Kings 14:26
He seized the treasures of the house of the LORD and of the royal palace. He took everything, including all the gold shields that Solomon had made.

2 Kings 23:35
So Jehoiakim paid the silver and gold to Pharaoh Neco, but to meet Pharaoh’s demand he taxed the land and exacted the silver and the gold from the people, each according to his wealth.

Ezekiel 45:8
This land will be his possession in Israel. And My princes will no longer oppress My people, but will give the rest of the land to the house of Israel according to their tribes.

Matthew 20:25
But Jesus called them aside and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their superiors exercise authority over them.

Mark 10:42
So Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their superiors exercise authority over them.

Luke 22:25
So Jesus declared, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those in authority over them call themselves benefactors.

Romans 13:1-7
Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which is from God. The authorities that exist have been appointed by God. / Consequently, whoever resists authority is opposing what God has set in place, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. / For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Do you want to be unafraid of the one in authority? Then do what is right, and you will have his approval. ...


Treasury of Scripture

And he said, This will be the manner of the king that shall reign over you: He will take your sons, and appoint them for himself, for his chariots, and to be his horsemen; and some shall run before his chariots.

This will

1 Samuel 10:25
Then Samuel told the people the manner of the kingdom, and wrote it in a book, and laid it up before the LORD. And Samuel sent all the people away, every man to his house.

Deuteronomy 17:14-20
When thou art come unto the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, and shalt possess it, and shalt dwell therein, and shalt say, I will set a king over me, like as all the nations that are about me; …

He will take

1 Samuel 14:52
And there was sore war against the Philistines all the days of Saul: and when Saul saw any strong man, or any valiant man, he took him unto him.

1 Kings 9:22,23
But of the children of Israel did Solomon make no bondmen: but they were men of war, and his servants, and his princes, and his captains, and rulers of his chariots, and his horsemen…

1 Kings 10:26
And Solomon gathered together chariots and horsemen: and he had a thousand and four hundred chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen, whom he bestowed in the cities for chariots, and with the king at Jerusalem.

run

2 Samuel 15:1
And it came to pass after this, that Absalom prepared him chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him.

1 Kings 1:5
Then Adonijah the son of Haggith exalted himself, saying, I will be king: and he prepared him chariots and horsemen, and fifty men to run before him.

1 Kings 18:46
And the hand of the LORD was on Elijah; and he girded up his loins, and ran before Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel.

Jump to Previous
Appoint Appointed Chariot Chariots Custom Drivers Horsemen Horses Manner Procedure Reign Ruler Run Servants Serve Sort War-Carriages Ways
Jump to Next
Appoint Appointed Chariot Chariots Custom Drivers Horsemen Horses Manner Procedure Reign Ruler Run Servants Serve Sort War-Carriages Ways
1 Samuel 8
1. By occasion of the ill government of Samuel's sons, the Israelites ask a king
6. Samuel praying in grief is comforted by God
10. He tells the manner of a king
19. God wills Samuel to yield unto the importunity of the people














He said
This phrase introduces the words of Samuel, the last judge of Israel, who is speaking under divine inspiration. The Hebrew root for "said" is "אָמַר" (amar), which is often used in the Old Testament to denote authoritative speech. Samuel, as a prophet, conveys God's message to the people, emphasizing the seriousness and divine authority behind his words.

This will be the manner of the king
The Hebrew word for "manner" is "מִשְׁפָּט" (mishpat), which can also mean "judgment" or "custom." This indicates not just a description but a legal or customary practice that will define the monarchy. The Israelites are being warned about the institutionalized practices that will come with a king, contrasting with the theocratic leadership they have known.

who will reign over you
The phrase "reign over you" uses the Hebrew root "מָלַךְ" (malak), meaning to rule or have dominion. This highlights a shift from God’s direct rule to human monarchy. Historically, this marks a pivotal transition in Israel's governance, reflecting their desire to be like other nations, which often led to spiritual and moral decline.

He will take your sons
The verb "take" is from the Hebrew "לָקַח" (laqach), implying a forceful or authoritative action. This signifies the loss of personal freedom and family autonomy under a king. The taking of sons for royal service was a common practice in ancient Near Eastern monarchies, indicating the king's absolute power over his subjects.

and appoint them to his own chariots and horses
The word "appoint" comes from the Hebrew "שׂוּם" (sum), meaning to set or place. This denotes the king's authority to assign roles and duties, often for his benefit. Chariots and horses were symbols of military power and prestige in ancient times, suggesting that the king would prioritize his military strength over the welfare of the people.

to run in front of his chariots
Running in front of chariots was a position of servitude and danger, often reserved for the king's most trusted or expendable men. This phrase underscores the king's demand for loyalty and service, often at great personal cost. It serves as a metaphor for the burdens and sacrifices the people would endure under monarchical rule.

(11) And he said, This will be the manner of the king that shall reign over you.--In obedience to the word of the Lord, Samuel, the judge of Israel, without blaming the people for their desire, quietly asks them if they were in real earnest--if they had fully considered the grave changes which such an appointment as that of a sovereign over the nation would bring about in the constitution. Were they willing to exchange their Republican freedom for the condition of subjection to a sovereign who, after the manner of those other kings of foreign nations--the Pharaohs, for instance--would of course govern Israel after his own will? in other words, were they really willing to give up their Republic for a Despotism?

In this whole transaction of the appointment of an earthly king in Israel, we must not forget that although under the present circumstances of Israel it was the best course to pursue, and, as such, received the Divine sanction, yet it was giving up the old grand ideal of a nation dwelling on earth ruled over directly by a King whose throne and home were in the eternal heavens. The glorious hope had to be given up, because Israel had been tried and found unworthy to share in the undreamed-of blessings of such a Government.

He will take your sons.--Here follows a graphic picture of the changed life of the people under a despotic monarch. They must be prepared, must those elders, for a court--a gorgeous court such as they had heard of, and perhaps some of them had seen on the banks of the Nile, the Euphrates, or the Tigris; all that was best and choicest in Israel would be summoned there. The old pastoral life would disappear; the dwelling under their own vines and fig-trees would give place to a very different way of living; the pleasures and vices of a gay and brilliant city life would allure the sons and daughters. and tempt them from the old simple way of living, dear to so many in Israel. War, too, on a scale they hitherto had never dreamed of, would be their portion--all these heavy burdens would become the heritage of Israel if they chose to imitate in their government the nations of the world. Had they thought of all this when they asked for a king?

Verse 11. - This will be the manner of the king. On the meaning of this word see 1 Samuel 2:13. Here also it signifies not so much the legal right itself, as the way in which that right was exercised. His chariots. The word is singular, both here and at the end of the verse, and though it may be taken, as in the A.V., for a collective noun, "his chariotry," yet the singular is better, because this verse does not refer to war, but to the personal magnificence and grandeur of the king. Instead of the old simplicity in which the judges had lived, he would have a state chariot (see 2 Kings 9:21), and go forth escorted by horsemen and runners on foot. To be his horsemen. Rather, "upon his homes." The whole clause should be translated, "And he will set them for him (i.e. for his service) upon his chariot and on his horses; and they will run before his chariot."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
He said,
וַיֹּ֕אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“This
זֶ֗ה (zeh)
Pronoun - masculine singular
Strong's 2088: This, that

will be
יִֽהְיֶה֙ (yih·yeh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

the manner
מִשְׁפַּ֣ט (miš·paṭ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4941: A verdict, a sentence, formal decree, divine law, penalty, justice, privilege, style

of the king
הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ (ham·me·leḵ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king

who
אֲשֶׁ֥ר (’ă·šer)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

will rule
יִמְלֹ֖ךְ (yim·lōḵ)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 4427: To reign, inceptively, to ascend the throne, to induct into royalty, to take counsel

over you:
עֲלֵיכֶ֑ם (‘ă·lê·ḵem)
Preposition | second person masculine plural
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

He will take
יִקָּ֗ח (yiq·qāḥ)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3947: To take

your sons
בְּנֵיכֶ֣ם (bə·nê·ḵem)
Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine plural
Strong's 1121: A son

and appoint [them]
וְשָׂ֥ם (wə·śām)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7760: Put -- to put, place, set

to
לוֹ֙ (lōw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's Hebrew

his own chariots
בְּמֶרְכַּבְתּ֣וֹ (bə·mer·kaḇ·tōw)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 4818: A chariot

and horses,
וּבְפָרָשָׁ֔יו (ū·ḇə·p̄ā·rā·šāw)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 6571: A steed, a driver, cavalry

to run
וְרָצ֖וּ (wə·rā·ṣū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 7323: To run

in front of
לִפְנֵ֥י (lip̄·nê)
Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct
Strong's 6440: The face

his chariots.
מֶרְכַּבְתּֽוֹ׃ (mer·kaḇ·tōw)
Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 4818: A chariot


Links
1 Samuel 8:11 NIV
1 Samuel 8:11 NLT
1 Samuel 8:11 ESV
1 Samuel 8:11 NASB
1 Samuel 8:11 KJV

1 Samuel 8:11 BibleApps.com
1 Samuel 8:11 Biblia Paralela
1 Samuel 8:11 Chinese Bible
1 Samuel 8:11 French Bible
1 Samuel 8:11 Catholic Bible

OT History: 1 Samuel 8:11 He said This will be the manner (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa)
1 Samuel 8:10
Top of Page
Top of Page