Midrash su Amos 3:5

This is what Scripture says: (Job 34:30) "That the godless should not reign, lest the people be trapped (memokshei am)." [An argument between] Rabbi Yochanan and Reish Lakish: Rabbi Yochanan says, "If you see a godless and wicked person as the leader of the generation, it would be better for the generation to fly into the air and not to serve him, and the language of "memokshei am" only means to be trapped, as it similarly says (Amos 3:5) "Can a bird fall into a trap if there is no lure (mokesh) for it?". "That the godless should not reign..." Our rabbis stated: Once kings were appointed in Israel, they started to be enslave them. Says the Holy One, blessed be He, "You haven't abandoned Me, yet you want kings?" That's what it means, (Deuteronomy 17:14) "I will appoint for myself a king." This is what Scripture says: (Psalms 146:3) "Do not place trust in important people..." Rabbi Simon said in the name of Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi: Anyone who trusts in God merits to be like Him. How do we know? As it says: (Jeremiah 17:7) "Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, and whose hope is the Lord." But anyone who places trusts in pagan worship, he becomes indebted to be like it. How do we know? As it says, (Psalms 115:8) "May they who make them become like them, [and everyone who trusts in them.]" Our rabbis said: Anyone who relies on man transgresses, even for his protection, he transgresses, for it says, (Psalms 146:3), "...in humans who cannot save." What does it say afterwards? (Psalms 146:4) "His breath goes forth, he returns to his earth." Says the Holy One, blesses be He: They know that humans are nothing, yet they put aside My Glory and say: "Appoint for us a king"? What do you want a king for? By your lives, your end will be to feel what will happen to you in the future under the reign of your kings!" How do we know? As it says, (Hosea 7:7) "All their kings have fallen; there is none among them who call me."