John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 8:22
And the Lord said to Samuel ,.... an audible voice, or by an impulse upon his mind: hearken unto their voice, and make them a king ; since they will have a king, let them have one, and let them know that they shall have one: and Samuel said unto the men of Israel : the elders of the people that addressed him on this occasion, 1 Samuel 8:4 . go ye every man unto his city ; signifying they might return in peace, and be assured their request would be granted, and a king would be... 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