John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 8:4
Then all the elders of Israel gathered themselves together ,.... At some place of rendezvous appointed; these were the heads of the tribes, and fathers of the houses and families of Israel, the principal persons of age and authority: and came to Samuel unto Ramah ; the place of his nativity and abode, and where he now dwelt, and judged Israel; they went in a very respectable body with an address to him. read more
Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Samuel 8:4-22
We have here the starting of a matter perfectly new and surprising, which was the setting up of kingly government in Israel. Perhaps the thing had been often talked of among them by those that were given to change and affected that which looked great. But we do not find that it was ever till now publicly proposed and debated. Abimelech was little better than a titular king, though he is said to reign over Israel (Jdg. 9:22), and perhaps his fall had for a great while rendered the title of king... read more