Shmuel I Chapter 12 | "The Lord Has Set a King Over You"

When reading these chapters discussing monarchy, the question arises, why do God and Shmuel agree to the people’s request if they consider a king such a poor solution? Why don’t they just reject their request?

It could be that the people of Israel are being treated somewhat like a teenager. There is an age when a father might think something is foolish and simply say, “No.” But there’s also an age when, if the child insists, he lets them try and learn from the consequences and their mistakes.

In Chapter 8, Shmuel warns Israel about the costs of a monarchy, hoping it might change their minds. By this chapter, it’s clear that their decision has been made, so Shmuel warns them what will be required to make it work.

By choosing a king, they leave God’s direct rule. Direct rule under God means temporary human saviors are appointed by God when the people cry out. The people of Israel want to end this reliance, preferring the authority of a permanent human king over God’s irregular intervention. This choice comes with costs to Israel’s liberty, which they are willing to accept, but Shmuel reminds them of the spiritual costs: the renunciation of God's kingship and the cry for a mortal king will cause them to forget God.

Still, Shmuel surprises us and states that the model they are choosing is still a viable one. He encourages the people, saying that their misguided choice is not the end. There is a way to maintain a monarchy while still keeping a meaningful connection to God: "If you will fear the Lord, then serve Him and heed His voice, and do not spurn the word of God; both you and the king who reigns over you must follow the Lord your God." But this requires work. We see throughout Tanakh how the "teenager" continues to be tested: can he prove himself worthy of trust or must he learn the hard way.