1 Samuel 8:7

“And the Lord said unto Samuel, etc.] He appeared to him in a vision or dream, and by an articulate voice delivered to him what follows: hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee; not as approving of what they said, but permitting and allowing what they asked, as a punishment of them for their disloyalty and ingratitude, and as resenting their ill behaviour to him; for it was in anger he assented to their request, (<281311>Hosea 13:11) for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me that I should not reign over them; most interpreters supply the word “only”, as if the sense was, that they had not only rejected Samuel from judging them, but the Lord also…”

“Hearken - God grants their desire in anger, and for their punishment. Rejected me - This injury and contumely, reflects chiefly upon me and my government. Should not reign - By my immediate government, which was the great honour, safety, and happiness of this people, if they had had hearts to prize it. 1 Kings (1 Samuel) 8:8”

“8:7 Do everything they say: God rarely instructed a prophet to heed the voice of the errant populace. The will of the people and the will of God would converge in King David (see 2 Sam 7:8-17). • they are rejecting me: Their rejection of judgeship was a deeper rejection of God’s rule and sovereignty (see also 1 Sam 12:1-17).”

“Hearken: Num 22:20; Psa 81:11, Psa 81:12; Isa 66:4; Hos 13:10, Hos 13:11 they have not: Sa1 10:19, Sa1 12:17-19; Exo 16:8; Mat 10:24, Mat 10:25, Mat 10:40; Luk 10:16, Luk 19:14, Luk 19:27; Joh 13:16, Joh 15:20, Joh 15:21 1 Kings (1 Samuel) 8:8”