Why did Israel reject God as their king?

The rejection of God as king by Israel, as noted in 1 Samuel 8:7, illustrates humanity's propensity to seek tangible forms of leadership over divine sovereignty. Israel sought a king like other nations, reflecting a fundamental misunderstanding of their relationship with God and His desire for them to be set apart. This mirrored the state of spiritual blindness during the time of the Judges, where they acted based on their whims rather than adhering to the authority of God. This pattern demonstrates the ongoing human tendency to prioritize personal preference over divine truth.