1 Samuel 8:19

19 In spite of what Samuel said, the people refused to listen to him. "No!" they said. "We want a king to rule 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 will take a tenth of your sheep and goats. You yourselves will become his slaves.

18 "When that time comes, you will cry out for help because of the king you have chosen. But the LORD won't answer you at that time."

19 In spite of what Samuel said, the people refused to listen to him. "No!" they said. "We want a king to rule over us.

20 Then we'll be like all of the other nations. We'll have a king to lead us. He'll go out at the head of our armies and fight our battles."

21 Samuel heard everything the people said. He told the LORD about it.