1 Samuel 8:7 - Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

The Lord said, Hearken unto the people, &c. He grants their desire in anger, for their punishment. For these, it is plain, are the words of displeasure, being as much as to say, Let them have their will. Samuel took it very ill that they should be dissatisfied with his government: but God tells him that he himself had more reason to be angry. For, in truth, they had thrown off his authority who was their king, as Samuel tells them afterward, 1 Samuel 12:12; and who had governed them by judges, whom he raised up and extraordinarily inspired when he saw occasion; as he had before conducted them by Moses and Joshua, who never ordained any thing of moment without a special command from God. They have not rejected thee Merely or chiefly. They have rejected me This injury and contumely reflects chiefly upon me and my government. Should not reign By my immediate government, which was the great honour, safety, and happiness of this people, if they had had hearts to prize it.