Some commentators consider this instruction to be an act of disobedience on the part of Samuel. He delayed in carrying out the Lord’s instruction in the hope that the Lord would change his mind about giving Israel a king (see Genesis 18:23–33; Exodus 32:9–14).1 A silent intercession of sorts. There is, however, nothing in the text itself to suggest that Samuel’s instructions were at odds with the Lord’s decision to give his people a king. He was simply sending everyone home so that he could anoint a king in secret (1 Samuel 9:1 – 10:8) before that king was made public (1 Samuel 10:9–27).
22 And the LORD said to Samuel, “Obey their voice and make them a king.” Samuel then said to the men of Israel, “Go every man to his city.”