Comments on 1 Samuel 8 v1-3 Despite having a spiritual father, the sons go bad. v4-6 The people demand a king, just like the surrounding nations have. Samuel is displeased with the request and asks the Lord what he should do. v7-9 The Lord responds to Samuel and tells him to go ahead and give them a king as they asked for, and it will turn into a curse (cp. v. 18). And, besides, it was all predicted in Deut. 17:14-20 anyway, so the Lord knew what the people's hearts would turn to. v10-18 Samuel goes ahead and grants them a king, warning them all the while of the risk they put themselves in. His comments are similar to those made in the BofM concerning kings, cp. 2 Ne. 5:18, Mosiah 23:6-7, Mosiah 29:21-36, Ether 6:22-28. v19-22 The people ignore Samuel's warning and insist on having a king. Copyright © 2002 by S. Kurt Neumiller . All rights reserved. No part of this text may be reproduced in any form or by any means for commercial gain without the express written consent of the author. Digital or printed copies may be freely made and distributed for personal and public non-commercial use.