The people knew Samuel’s sons were wicked and did not want them to rule over them
The people’s response/request: “Give us a king to judge us like all the nations.”
Samuel was grieved.
Samuel prayed and God said to listen to the request of the people. In reality, the people had rejected God not Samuel. They did not want God to rule over them. (1 Sam 8:7) This is not a new thing. (1 Sam. 8:8)
God told Samuel to listen to the request, but to also forewarn them how a king would behave. (1 Sam. 8:11-18) He (God) builds a laundry list of what a king would require.
Conscripted military service. (1 Sam. 8:11b)
They will work for “the man”. (1 Sam. 8:12-13)
Property would be confiscated. (1 Sam.8:14, 16-17)
They would be taxed. (1 Sam. 8:15)
They would regret that they asked for a king. (1 Sam. 8:18)
God would not listen to their cries of oppression. (1 Sam.8:18)
The people were insistent about wanting a king. (1 Sam. 8:19-20)
They did not care to have God as their ruler.
They did not want God to fight their battles.
God told Samuel again to listen to the people’s request and “make them a king.” (1 Sam. 8:21-22)