1 Kingdoms (1 Samuel) 8:6Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

This grief, as noted in 1 Samuel 8:3, was not merely succeeded but rather compounded by the unrighteous request of the Israelites, leaving Samuel deeply disheartened and in need of significant comfort.

To those lacking patience, the Lord, in His displeasure, grants the desires they seek. The Scriptures recount the requests of the Israelites and the consequences they faced when their fleeting desires were fulfilled, resulting in the Lord striking them with a severe plague (Num. 11:1-34). When they clamored for a king, He provided one, responding to the desires of the people rather than the guidance of His will. This is documented so that if anyone, in their earnest supplication, receives what they yearn for, which might ultimately not be in their best interest, they would remain humble and not overestimate their worthiness.

Why did Samuel feel sorrow when the people requested a king? (1 Sam. 8:6) This request contradicted God's divine law. The Almighty was meant to be their God and Monarch, while the Prophet served as His primary minister, akin to a steward or leader of the people. God made His position clear when He instructed Samuel, "Listen to the voice of the people, for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me, that I should not reign over them, in accordance with all their deeds, which they have performed against Me: from the day I brought them up from Egypt until now," etc. (1 Sam. 8:7, 8).

You ought to respect your bishop and refrain from opposing him in any matter. It is a serious matter to challenge such an individual. While one might not mislead this visible leader, they can certainly mislead the unseen God, who cannot be deceived. This action pertains not to man, but to the Lord. As it is written: ‘They have not deceived you, but Me.’

In the First Book of Kings, when it became evident that the Israelite community had dismissed Samuel the prophet due to his old age, the Lord expressed His displeasure, stating: They have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me, that I should not reign over them. In response to this defiance, He appointed King Saul to rule over them, who subjected the people to severe miseries, oppressing and humiliating the arrogant with various offenses and punishments—this illustrates God's retribution against the haughty for their scorn towards His servant.