1 Kings — Chapter 8
These annotations are from the original 1609 Douay Old Testament, the first complete English Catholic Bible translation, produced by English scholars in exile at the English College of Douai. The archaic spelling is preserved.
This content was digitized from the original 1609 Douay (Old Testament) and 1582 Rheims (New Testament) print editions by OCR. The OCR process sometimes confused print page numbers with verse numbers, and may have assigned annotations to the wrong chapter. Chapter and verse labels on this page reflect the OCR output from the original print pagination and may not correspond to canonical Scripture chapter/verse numbers. For canonical reference, consult a standard Douay-Rheims edition. The annotation texts themselves are authentic 1609/1582 Douay-Rheims content.
Verse 7
For so much as God had chosen Israel a peculiar people to himselfe, and hitherto ruled the same by his Priests established among them, and by Iudges extraordinarily raised vp and sent by him, to deliuer them in their distresses, their demand now to haue a King, who (after the manner of other nations) should be their Lord, is interpreted, as in effect to reiect God: in that they disliked, and sought to change his forme of gouernment. And therfore this request of the people iustly displeased both Samuel and God himselfe.
Verse 11
Samuel here by Gods appointment, to diswade the people from their desire of a King, reciteth such things, as Kings abusing their power doe oftentimes practise, by reason of their high dignitie, but vniustly and vnlawfully; according to the doctrine of ancient Fathers. S. Cyprian calleth the exactions of Kings here recited, grieuous iniuries. S. Hierome, dura imperia and seruitutem. S. Gregorie proueth the same by contrarie examples. Neuertheles Kings haue great prerogatiues, besides and aboue, but neuer contrarie to the law. Furthermore in case Kings or other Princes commit excesses, and oppresse their subiects, yet are they not by and by to be deposed by the people, but must be tolerated with patience, til God by his souerereigne authoritie, left in his Church, dispose of them.
Verse 18
God wil punish the sinnes of the people, by suffering euil Princes to reigne. Iob. 34. v. 30.