But the people refused to listen to the voice of Samuel; and they said, No: but we will have a king over us,
There is a marvelous lesson in prayer in this chapter.  When the request of the elders for a king came as a severe stroke of disappointment and grief to Samuel, he took his sorrow to the Lord in prayer.  And when, despite all the warnings, Israel's elders said, "No! we will have a king," once more, it is stated that Samuel repeated all the words of the people in the ears of the Lord  (1 Samuel 8:21).  This is the great example for all believers, "Take it to the Lord in prayer."