But the people would not receive the advice of Samuel, and continued to demand a king. “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.” Here, God granted to rebellious Israel that which would prove a heavy curse to them, because they would not submit to have the Lord rule over them. They thought that it would be more honorable in the sight of other nations to have it said, The Hebrews have a king. The Lord directed Samuel to anoint Saul as king of Israel. His appearance was noble, such as would suit the pride of the children of Israel. But God gave them an exhibition of his displeasure. It was not a season of the year when they were visited with heavy rains accompanied with thunder. “So Samuel called unto the Lord, and the Lord sent thunder and rain that day. And all the people greatly feared the Lord and Samuel. And all the people said unto Samuel, Pray for thy servants unto the Lord thy God, that we die not; for we have added unto all our sins this evil, to ask us a king.” Samuel sought to encourage the people, that although they had sinned, yet if they from that time followed the Lord, he would not forsake them, for his great name’s sake. “Moreover, as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you; but I will teach you the good and the right way; only fear the Lord, and serve him in truth with all your heart; for consider how great things he hath done for you. But if ye shall still do wickedly, ye shall be consumed, both ye and your king.” {1SP 355.2}

Men folket vil ikke tage imod Samuels råd, og fortsatte med at kræve en konge. "Da sagde Herren til Samuel: Ret dig i et og alt efter, hvad folket siger, thi det er ikke dig, de vrager, men det er mig, de vrager som deres konge." Her gav Gud det oprørske Israel det som vil vise sig som en svær forbandelse for dem, fordi de ikke ville underligge sig at Herren hersker over dem. De tænkte at det ville være mere ærværdigt i andre nationers øjne, at det kunne siges: Hebræerne har en konge. Herren anviste Samuel at salve Saul som konge over Israel. Han så pæn ud, som passer til Israels børns stolthed. Men Gud gav dem en tilkendegivelse af hans misfornøjelse. Det var ikke den tid på året hvor de blev hjemsøgt med kraftig regn ledsaget af torden. "Derpå råbte Samuel til Herren, og Herren sendte samme dag torden og regn. Da frygtede hele folket såre for Herren og Samuel, og hele folket sagde til Samuel: Bed for dine trælle til Herren din Gud, at vi ikke skal dø, fordi vi til vore andre synder har føjet den brøde at kræve en konge!" Samuel forsøgte at opmuntre folket, selvom de havde syndet, selvom de fra det tidspunkt havde fulgt Herre, ville han ikke forlade dem, for hans store navns skyld. "Det være også langt fra mig at synde mod Herren og høre op med at bede for eder; jeg vil også vise eder den gode og rette vej; men frygt Herren og tjen ham oprigtigt af hele eders hjerte; thi se, hvor store ting han gjorde imod eder! Men hvis I handler ilde, skal både I og eders konge gå til grunde!"