Definition: 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.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from 1 Samuel 8:7. It's a really important and dramatic moment in the story of God choosing David to be King of Israel. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: This verse is about God’s displeasure with the people. They weren’t rejecting him, but they were rejecting him – meaning they were saying things that made God uncomfortable and displeased. Let's unpack it piece by piece: “And the LORD said unto Samuel…” - This sets the scene: God is speaking directly to Samuel, the prophet who had been advising David about his future role as king. “…Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee:” – This means Samuel needs to listen carefully to what everyone is saying. He’s being told to pay attention to what the people are saying, because their words matter. “for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me…” – This is the core of the verse. The people didn't reject God, but they were rejecting him through their complaints and demands. They were saying things that made him feel bad or like he wasn’t in control. What does this mean practically? It means that the people were focusing on David's shortcomings – his failures, his laziness, his disobedience – and complaining about him rather than praising him. They were essentially saying things that displeased God. Why was this a big deal for God? Because it showed that David wasn’t truly in control of the people. He wasn't leading them with righteousness and obedience. Instead, they were prioritizing complaints against him , which made God feel uncomfortable. God needed to be respected and obeyed, and this verse shows that he was feeling a lack of respect. In short: The verse is about God’s frustration with the people’s negativity toward him and their focus on his faults rather than on his good qualities and leadership. It's a significant moment because it highlights the importance of obedience and humility from God's perspective. --- Do you want me to: Explain another part of this verse? Discuss the significance of this story in the Bible?