Albert Barnes Commentary 1 Samuel 8:22

"And Jehovah said to Samuel, Hearken unto their voice, and make them a king. And Samuel said unto the men of Israel, Go ye every man unto his city." — 1 Samuel 8:22 (ASV)

The repetition of God’s will in 1 Samuel 8:7 and 1 Samuel 8:9, mentioned for the third time, highlights Samuel’s great unwillingness to comply with the people’s request.

Besides the natural aversion he felt to being thrust aside after so many years of faithful service, and the prejudice he would feel at his age against a new form of government, he doubtless saw the evil heart of unbelief in their desire. They wanted a visible king for their leader instead of trusting the invisible Lord who had led them until now.

But God had His own purpose in establishing the kingdom, which was to be a type of the kingdom of His only begotten Son.