I will be thy King - (literally, “I would be” thy King) Where is any other that, etc. A better translation would be: “Where now is thy king, that he may save thee in all thy cities; and thy judges, of whom thou saidst, give me a king and princes.”
As Israel was under Samuel, such it remained. “Then” it mistrusted God, and looked to man for help, saying, “Nay, but we will have a king over us, that we also may be like other nations, and that our king may judge us, and go out before us, and fight our battles” 1 Samuel 8:19. In choosing man they rejected God. The like they did, when they chose Jeroboam. In order to rid themselves of the temporary pressure of Rehoboam’s taxes, they demanded anew “king and princes.” First they rejected God as their king; then they rejected the king whom God appointed, and Him in His appointment. “In all thy cities.” It was then to be one universal need of help. They had chosen a king “to fight their battles,” and had rejected God. Now was the test, whether their choice had been good or evil. One cry for help went up from “all their cities.” God would have heard it; could man?
: “This question is like that other, ‘Where are their gods, their rock in whom they trusted, which did eat the fat of their sacrifices, and drink the wine of their drink offerings?’ Deuteronomy 32:37-39. As there, when no answer could be made, He adds, ‘See now that I, I am He, and that there is no god with Me,’ so here He subjoins;”