1 Samuel 8:20
“That we also may be like all the nations, and that our King may iudge vs, and goe out before vs, and fight our battels.”
1611 King James Version (KJV)
Viewing the original 1611 KJV with archaic English spelling.
Click to switch to the Standard KJV.
1 Samuel 8:20 Context
18And ye shall cry out in that day, because of your king which ye shall haue chosen you; and the Lord will not heare you in that day. 19¶ Neuerthelesse, the people refused to obey the voyce of Samuel; and they said, Nay, but we will haue a King ouer vs: 20That we also may be like all the nations, and that our King may iudge vs, and goe out before vs, and fight our battels. 21And Samuel heard all the words of the people, and he rehearsed them in the eares of the Lord. 22And the Lord said to Samuel, Hearken vnto their voyce, and make them a King. And Samuel said vnto the men of Israel, Goe yee euery man vnto his citie.
Share This Verse:
Other Translations for 1 Samuel 8:20
That we also may be like all the nations; and that our king may judge us, and go out before us, and fight our battles.
- King James Version
that we also may be like all the nations, that our king may judge us and go out before us and fight our battles."
- New American Standard Version (1995)
that we also may be like all the nations, and that our king may judge us, and go out before us, and fight our battles.
- American Standard Version (1901)
So that we may be like the other nations, and so that our king may be our judge and go out before us to war.
- Basic English Bible
that we also may be like all the nations; and our king shall judge us, and go out before us, and conduct our wars.
- Darby Bible
That we also may be like all the nations; and that our king may judge us, and go out before us, and fight our battles.
- Webster's Bible
that we also may be like all the nations, and that our king may judge us, and go out before us, and fight our battles."
- World English Bible
and we have been, even we, like all the nations; and our king hath judged us, and gone out before us, and fought our battles.'
- Youngs Literal Bible
that we also may be like all the nations; and that our king may judge us, and go out before us, and fight our battles.'
- Jewish Publication Society Bible
Wesley's Notes for 1 Samuel 8:20
8:20 Be like - What stupidity! It was their happiness that they were unlike all other nations, #Numb 23:9 Deut 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.