As noted in the previous article in this series, the venal and irresponsible acts of Samuel's sons, whom he had appointed as judges, led to a demand that the position of judge be abolished forthwith and be replaced by a monarchical government.
One of the historians who writes in the First Book of Samuel represents the Lord as concurring with Samuel in wholeheartedly agreeing with this plan, as we have shown. However, an alternative account, now to be considered, gives a strikingly different interpretation of the situation. The actions and demands of the people and their elders, this later writer contended, disobeyed God's commands and ignored His righteous government, rebelling against Him and His loyal prophet Samuel.
Traces of this second account, closely intertwined with the earlier one by later editing, soon begin to appear (see I Sam. 8:5, 6). Instead of accepting the elders' plan, the prophet expresses displeasure; and when he turns to God for advice, he receives an ominous response. He is to give consideration to the people's plea, but, the divine message continues, "they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them" (verse 7) .
