Matthew Poole and continuators on 1 Samuel 8:7

7 And the LORD said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee , but have rejected me , that I should not reign over them .

God grants their Desire in Anger, and for their Punishment, as is affirmed, Hos. 13. 11. Compare Numb. 22. 13, 20. Deut. 1. 22. Psal. 77. 20.

i. e. Not thee only, nor principally. Compare Gen. 32. 28. Exod. 16. 7. Hos. 6. 6. Mat. 10. 20.

This injury and contumely, reflects chiefly upon me and my Government.

To wit, by my immediate and peculiar Government, which was the great honour, safety, and happiness of this People, if they had had wit to know it, or hearts to prize it. And all the Infelicities of Israel, under this kind of Government, did not proceed from the Nature of the Government, but from the ungovernableness and wickedness of the People, which, they might be sure, would produce the same or greater Calamities under their Kingly Government. Qu. First, Did not God Reign over them when they had Kings? Ans. Yes, in a general way, but not in such a peculiar manner as he did by the Judges, who were generally raised and called by Gods particular Appoitnment, Endowed and Sanctified by his Spirit, directed and assisted by his special Providence upon all Emergencies; whereas all things were for the most part contrary in their Kings. Qu. Secondly, Was it simply unlawful for the People to desire a King? Ans. No, as appears from Deut. 17. 14. but herein was their Sin, That they desired it upon Sinful grounds, of which see on v. 7. and in an Impetuous manner, and at an unseasonable time, and without asking Leave or Advice from God; which in so weighty and difficult a Case they could not neglect without great Sin.

Marginal references: Chap. 10. 19.