Why did the Israelites ask for a king?

1 Samuel 8 New King James Version (NKJV). Israel Demands a King. 8 Now it came to pass when Samuel was old that he made his sons judges over Israel. 2 The name of his firstborn was Joel, and the name of his second, Abijah; they were judges in Beersheba. read more

Other passages also predicted that the Israelites would one day ask for a king. For example, God promised Jacob, “A nation and a community of nations will come from you, and kings will be among your descendants” (Genesis 35: 11). read more

Seeing the unsuitability of Samuel’s sons, the Israelites ask him to “appoint for us, then, a king to govern us, like other nations.” This request displeases Samuel (1 Sam. 8: 4-6). read more

The reasons why people do something is always difficult to establish unless the actual person or persons making the decision are consulted. The fact that Israel did ask for a King is a historical fact documented in the Bible. The fact that Israel would ask for a King is portended by the writings of Moses. read more