1 Samuel 8:19

19 The people refused to listen to Samuel. "No!" they said. "We must have a king over us.

1 Samuel 8:19 Meaning and Commentary

1 Samuel 8:19

Nevertheless, the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel,
&c.] The advice he gave not to think of a king, but be content with the government under which they were; but to this they would not hearken, notwithstanding all the inconveniences that would attend such a change:

and they said, nay, but we will have a king over us;
they would not believe what Samuel said concerning a king, even though they were the words of the Lord he delivered to them; and though they knew Samuel was a prophet, and spoke by a spirit of prophecy, and none of his words had ever fallen to the ground: but such was their stubbornness and obstinacy, and so set upon having a king, that one they would have, let them suffer what hardships, or be at what expenses they might; at all events, and against all remonstrances, they were determined to have one.

1 Samuel 8:19 In-Context

17 He can take a tenth of your flocks, and you yourselves can become his servants.

18 When that day comes, you will cry out because of the king you've chosen for yourselves, but the Lord won't answer you on that day."

19 The people refused to listen to Samuel. "No!" they said. "We must have a king over us.

20 Then we'll be like all the other nations: our king will judge us, go out before us, and fight our battles."

21 Samuel listened to all the people's words and then repeated them to the Lord.