1Sa 8:20 | TNotes | STEP | 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.

bLev 20:26►

cNum 23:9►

d1 Sam 8:5-7►

eDeut 17:14►

‏ 1 Samuel 8:20

8:20 ^a God had set Israel apart from the nations (Lev 20:26 ^b; Num 23:9 ^c). By insisting on a king and desiring to be like the nations, they were rejecting God’s plan (see 1 Sam 8:5-7 ^d; cp. Deut 17:14 ^e).

• 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.