When Israel is old, the elders of Israel come to him and demand a king. Two reasons are given. Samuel’s sons lack his integrity, for they accept bribes. And Israel wants to be like “all other nations.” Samuel takes this as a personal affront, but it is really a rejection of God, Israel’s true ruler.
7 And the Lord said to Samuel, “Heed the voice of the people in all that they say to you; for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me, that I should not reign over them. 8 According to all the works which they have done since the day that I brought them up out of Egypt, even to this day–with which they have forsaken Me and served other gods–so they are doing to you also.
Samuel tries to warn Israel of the disadvantages of an absolute ruler, but the people will not listen. They demand a king, and the Lord tells Samuel to do as they ask.
9 Now therefore, heed their voice. However, you shall solemnly forewarn them, and show them the behavior of the king who will reign over them.” 10 So Samuel told all the words of the Lord to the people who asked him for a king.
11 And he said, “This will be the behavior of the king who will reign over you: He will take your sons and appoint them for his own chariots and to be his horsemen, and some will run before his chariots… And you will be his servants. 18 And you will cry out in that day because of your king whom you have chosen for yourselves, and the Lord will not hear you in that day.” 19 Nevertheless the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel; and they said, “No, but we will have a king over us, 20 that we also may be like all the nations, and that our king may judge us and go out before us and fight our battles.”
[My thoughts]
Rejection of God is also manifest by the fact that many people prefer reading human authors’ books to reading the Bible on their own. Although these books may quote Bible verses, it would be impossible to know discern whether the author is telling the truth or heresy without reading the Bible first on our own.
Reasons for People Not Reading the Bible