Shmuel Alef 8:19

19 Nevertheless the people refused to obey the voice of Shmuel; and they said, No; but we will have a Melech over us;

Shmuel Alef 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.

Shmuel Alef 8:19 In-Context

17 He will take the tenth of your tzon; and ye shall be his avadim.

18 And ye shall cry out in that day because of your melech which ye shall have chosen for you; and Hashem will not hear you in that day.

19 Nevertheless the people refused to obey the voice of Shmuel; and they said, No; but we will have a Melech over us;

20 That we also may be like kol HaGoyim; and that our Melech may judge us, and go out before us, and fight milchamoteinu (our battles).

21 And Shmuel heard all the words of the people, and he rehearsed them in the ears of Hashem.