1 Samuel 8:4-6

The Message

^4-5 Fed up, all the elders of Israel got together and confronted Samuel at Ramah. They presented their case: “Look, you’re an old man, and your sons aren’t following in your footsteps. Here’s what we want you to do: Appoint a king to rule us, just like everybody else.”

⁶ When Samuel heard their demand—“Give us a king to rule us!”—he was crushed. How awful! Samuel prayed to God.