And the LORD said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them.
And the LORD said to Samuel, 'Listen to what the people are saying to you and do what they ask. They haven't rejected you—they have rejected me as their king.'
God is telling Samuel that when the people demanded a human king, they weren't rejecting Samuel's leadership but God's direct rule over them.
📚 Historical Context
The Israelites had asked Samuel to appoint a king to rule over them like other nations, even though God had been their direct ruler through judges like Samuel. This marked a major transition in Israel's government from a theocracy (God's direct rule) to a monarchy (human kingship). Samuel was troubled by their request, but God told him to grant it while warning them of the consequences.
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