And the Lord said to Samuel,.... an audible voice, or by an impulse upon his mind:
hearken unto their voice, and make them a king; since they will have a king, let them have one, and let them know that they shall have one:
and Samuel said unto the men of Israel: the elders of the people that addressed him on this occasion, 1 Samuel 8:4
go ye every man unto his city; signifying they might return in peace, and be assured their request would be granted, and a king would be appointed in a short time, and which they might report to their fellow citizens; and they might expect to hear from him quickly, as soon as he had instructions from the Lord who should be their king, which right he had reserved to himself; and therefore in the mean while they might rest contented that they would have one in a little time.