In the book of Samuel, the people sought to change their government from a ____________________ to a ________________.

In the book of Samuel, the transition sought by the people was from a theocracy to a monarchy. This shift is significant because during the period of the judges, Israel was essentially governed by a theocracy, where God was recognized as the ultimate authority and leaders were appointed by divine selection. The judges served as temporary leaders raised up by God to deliver the people from their enemies and guide them according to His laws.

However, as the narrative unfolds, the people of Israel expressed dissatisfaction with this system, primarily due to the perceived failures of the judges and the rising threats from surrounding nations. They desired a more stable and human-centered leadership, leading them to request a king to rule over them, much like other nations had. This request is pivotal, marking the transition into a monarchy, which was a significant change in Israel's governance structure.

The correct choice captures this important transformation in Israel's identity, as they moved away from allowing God to be their direct leader through chosen judges, to establishing a king, which would be a monarchy where human leadership would play a central role. This decision has deep theological implications explored throughout the biblical narrative, illustrating the tension between divine authority and human governance.