1 Samuel 8

1 When Samuel grew old, he appointed his sons as judges over Israel.

And it cometh to pass, when Samuel [is] aged, that he maketh his sons judges over Israel.

2 The name of his firstborn son was Joel, and the name of his second was Abijah. They were judges in Beersheba.

And the name of his first-born son is Joel, and the name of his second Abiah, judges in Beer-Sheba:

3 But his sons did not walk in his ways; they turned aside toward dishonest gain, accepting bribes and perverting justice.

and his sons have not walked in his ways, and turn aside after the dishonest gain, and take a bribe, and turn aside judgment.

4 So all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah.

And all the elders of Israel gather themselves together, and come in unto Samuel to Ramath,

5 “Look,” they said, “you are old, and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now appoint a king to judge us like all the other nations.”

and say unto him, 'Lo, thou hast become aged, and thy sons have not walked in thy ways; now, appoint to us a king, to judge us, like all the nations.'

6 But when they said, “Give us a king to judge us,” their demand was displeasing in the sight of Samuel; so he prayed to the LORD.

And the thing is evil in the eyes of Samuel, when they have said, 'Give to us a king to judge us;' and Samuel prayeth unto Jehovah.

7 And the LORD said to Samuel, “Listen to the voice of the people in all that they say to you. For it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected Me as their king.

And Jehovah saith unto Samuel, 'Hearken to the voice of the people, to all that they say unto thee, for thee they have not rejected, but Me they have rejected, from reigning over them.

8 Just as they have done from the day I brought them up out of Egypt until this day, forsaking Me and serving other gods, so they are doing to you.

According to all the works that they have done from the day of My bringing them up out of Egypt, even unto this day, when they forsake Me, and serve other gods — so they are doing also to thee.

9 Now listen to them, but you must solemnly warn them and show them the manner of the king who will reign over them.”

And now, hearken to their voice; only, surely thou dost certainly protest to them, and hast declared to them the custom of the king who doth reign over them.'

10 So Samuel spoke all the words of the LORD to the people who were asking him for a king.

And Samuel speaketh all the words of Jehovah unto the people who are asking from him a king,

11 He said, “This will be the manner of the king who will reign over you: He will take your sons and appoint them to his own chariots and horses, to run in front of his chariots.

and saith, 'This is the custom of the king who doth reign over you: Your sons he doth take, and hath appointed for himself among his chariots, and among his horsemen, and they have run before his chariots;

12 He will appoint some for himself as commanders of thousands and of fifties, and others to plow his ground, to reap his harvest, to make his weapons of war, and to equip his chariots.

also to appoint for himself heads of thousands, and heads of fifties; also to plow his plowing, and to reap his reaping; and to make instruments of his war, and instruments of his charioteer.

13 And he will take your daughters to be perfumers, cooks, and bakers.

'And your daughters he doth take for perfumers, and for cooks, and for bakers;

14 He will take the best of your fields and vineyards and olive groves and give them to his servants.

and your fields, and your vineyards, and your olive-yards — the best — he doth take, and hath given to his servants.

15 He will take a tenth of your grain and grape harvest and give it to his officials and servants.

And your seed and your vineyards he doth tithe, and hath given to his eunuchs, and to his servants.

16 And he will take your menservants and maidservants and your best cattle and donkeys and put them to his own use.

And your men-servants, and your maid-servants, and your young men — the best, and your asses, he doth take, and hath prepared for his own work;

17 He will take a tenth of your flocks, and you yourselves will become his slaves.

your flock he doth tithe, and ye are to him for servants.

18 When that day comes, you will beg for relief from the king you have chosen, but the LORD will not answer you on that day.”

And ye have cried out in that day because of the king whom ye have chosen for yourselves, and Jehovah doth not answer you in that day.'

19 Nevertheless, the people refused to listen to Samuel. “No!” they said. “We must have a king over us.

And the people refuse to hearken to the voice of Samuel, and say, 'Nay, but a king is over us,

20 Then we will be like all the other nations, with a king to judge us, to go out before us, and to fight our battles.”

and we have been, even we, like all the nations; and our king hath judged us, and gone out before us, and fought our battles.'

21 Samuel listened to all the words of the people and repeated them in the hearing of the LORD.

And Samuel heareth all the words of the people, and speaketh them in the ears of Jehovah;

22 “Listen to their voice,” the LORD said to Samuel. “Appoint a king for them.” Then Samuel told the men of Israel, “Everyone must go back to his city.”

and Jehovah saith unto Samuel, 'Hearken to their voice, and thou hast caused to reign over them a king.' And Samuel saith unto the men of Israel, 'Go ye each to his city.'