1. Give us a king to lead us (1-5)

At a time when the land of Israel was filled with idolatry and people did as they pleased, Samuel came and filled a leadership void. When Samuel got old, his sons were self-seeking and unfit to lead. So the elders of Israel approached him, asking him to appoint a king to lead them. They wanted to be like the other nations.

2. They have rejected me (6-22)

Samuel was displeased, but he took the matter in prayer. The Lord taught him discernment. They were rejecting the Lord as their king. But the Lord did not punish them. He was with the people even at this time. He had Samuel explain the truth of all earthly kings and their corruption. But the people refused to listen, and the Lord acquiesced to their desire. He would give them an earthly king, bearing their rejection on himself. In this way he would rule over their rejection and demonstrate his kingship over all things.