John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 4. Then all the elders of Israel gathered themselves together , etc.] At some place of rendezvous appointed; these were the heads of the tribes, and fathers of the houses and families of Israel, the principal persons of age and authority: and came to Samuel unto Ramah ; the place of his nativity and abode, and where he now dwelt, and judged Israel; they went in a very respectable body with an address to him.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 4-9 - Samuel was displeased; he could patiently bear what reflected of himself, and his own family; but it displeased him when they said, Giv us a king to judge us, because that reflected upon God. It drove him to his knees. When any thing disturbs us, it is our interest, as well a our duty, to show our trouble before God. Samuel is to tell them tha they shall have a king. Not that God was pleased with their request but as sometimes he opposes us from loving-kindness, so at other time he gratifies us in wrath; he did so here. God knows how to bring glor to himself, and serves his own wise purposes, even by men's foolis counsels.
Original Hebrew ויתקבצו6908 כל3605 זקני2205 ישׂראל3478 ויבאו935 אל413 שׁמואל8050 הרמתה׃7414
