JETS 33:1 (March 1990) p. 53 with which the request was linked. Dynastic kingship would eliminate from Israel the spontaneity and direction by Yahweh that judgeship had provided, thus cutting the cord of Yahweh’s spiritual guidance of Israel by providing for a doctrine of ordered succession. Moreover the demand to “be like the other nations” carries with it a virtual unilateral withdrawal from the Sinai covenant and, in effect, reverses Exod 19:5b–6. To be sure it echoed (as indicated) Deut 17:14,