Concerns Regarding the Monarchy/2

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Problem With the King

Exegetical Approaches

Overview

 

 

Rejection of Hashem as Savior

In requesting a human monarch to fight their wars, the people betrayed a lack of faith in and recognition of Hashem as their warrior and savior.

"וְיָצָא לְפָנֵינוּ וְנִלְחַם אֶת מִלְחֲמֹתֵנוּ" – Rashi and Radak points to these words of the nation as evidence that the people were not requesting a king who would serve a judicial purpose, but rather a military leader.
"שִׂימָה לָּנוּ מֶלֶךְ לְשׇׁפְטֵנוּ" – One might argue that in their initial request, the people made no mention of any military role, but only a judicial one (לְשׇׁפְטֵנוּ). These sources could answer that the people were using the verb in the military sense of the word, asking for a king who would serve as a שופט, like the leaders of the Book of Judges who were mainly saviors in war.
"וַיֵּרַע הַדָּבָר בְּעֵינֵי שְׁמוּאֵל כַּאֲשֶׁר אָמְרוּ תְּנָה לָּנוּ מֶלֶךְ לְשׇׁפְטֵנוּ" – This position might say that Shemuel misunderstood the people's request, understanding "וַלְשׇׁפְטֵנוּ" in its judicial sense.  He was personally insulted as he assumed that they found him lacking.
Hashem's response: "כִּי אֹתִי מָאֲסוּ" – Hashem corrects Shemuel's misconception and explains that the request is really a rejection of Hashem, not Shemuel.
"כְּכָל הַגּוֹיִם"
Mishpat haMelekh
Granting a king
Laws in Devarim

Rejection of the Shofet

The people's desire for a king "to judge us" was problematic either because it usurped the institution of judges as a whole, or because it was a personal affront to Shemuel specifically.

"לְשׇׁפְטֵנוּ"
"כְּכָל הַגּוֹיִם"
Shemuel' complaint
Hashem's retort

Rejection of Torah Law

Hashem was upset by the people's request since they desired a king who would be like the other nations and not subject to the laws of Torah.

"כְּכָל הַגּוֹיִם"
"לְשׇׁפְטֵנוּ"
Shemuel's complaint
Hashem's response

Wrong Timing

Though there is nothing inherently wrong with the institution of monarchy, in this era of miraculous providence, there was no need for a king.