Thematic Bible: Demands a king

One day the nation's elders came to Samuel at Ramah. They said: You are an old man. You set a good example for your sons. But they have not followed it. Now we want a king to be our leader like all the other nations. Choose one for us! Samuel was upset to hear the leaders say they wanted a king. So he prayed about it. read more.
Jehovah answered: Samuel, do everything they want you to do. I am really the one they have rejected as their king. Ever since the day I rescued my people from Egypt, they have turned from me to worship idols. Now they are turning away from you. Listen to them. But be sure to warn them and tell them about the behavior and rights of a king who rules over them. Then Samuel told the people who had asked him for a king everything Jehovah said.

But the people refused to listen to Samuel. They said: We want a king! We want to be like other nations, with our own king to rule us and to lead us out to war and to fight our battles. Samuel listened to everything they said. Then he repeated it to Jehovah. read more.
Jehovah answered: Do what they want. Give them a king. Then Samuel told all the men of Israel to go back home.