But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to judge us. And Samuel prayed unto the LORD.
Ver. 6. But the thing displeased Samuel.] Chiefly because he knew it was displeasing to God, 1Sa 8:7 and then as an indignity done to himself, by shaking off his government even while he lived. But this is the manner of the many headed multitude, Cui praesentia fastidio, insueta desiderio sunt, a to loath things present, and to affect novelties; αει γαρ το παρον βαρυ, saith Thucydides, the present government is ever grievous; neither is the beauty of benefits seen but on the backside, that is, till men are bereft of them.
And Samuel prayed unto the Lord.] b He was not so far displeased at the ungrateful people, but that he could, at the same time, pity them and pray for them. So did Moses before him, Exodus 32:19 ; Exo 32:31 and our Saviour after him. Mar 3:5 Samuel prayed for the pardon of that sin of theirs, which they afterwards came to a sight of, and confessed against themselves. 1Sa 12:19 He also prayed, doubtless, for direction in that weighty work whereupon the people had put him.
a Sulpit. Sever., ibid.
b Consuluit Dominum praemissa oratione. - Vat.