1 Samuel 8

1 And it was when he was old Samuel and he made sons his judges for Israel.

When Samuel became old, he appointed his two sons, Joel and Abijah, to lead/rule the people of Israel.

2 And it was [the] name of son his the firstborn Joel and [the] name of second his [was] Abijah judges in Beer Sheba.

They judged people’s disputes/cases in Beersheba [town].

3 And not they walked sons his (in ways his *Q(K)*) and they turned aside after unjust gain and they took a bribe and they turned aside justice.

But they were not like their father. They wanted only to get a lot of money. They accepted bribes, and they did not make honest decisions about people’s disputes/cases.

4 And they gathered together all [the] elders of Israel and they came to Samuel Ramah towards.

Finally, the Israeli leaders met at Ramah [town to discuss the matter] with Samuel.

5 And they said to him here! you you have become old and sons your not they have walked in ways your now appoint! for us a king to judge us like all the nations.

They said to him, “Listen! You are now old, and your sons are not like you. Appoint a king to rule over us, like the kings that other countries have!”

6 And it was displeasing the matter in [the] eyes of Samuel just when they said give! to us a king to judge us and he prayed Samuel to Yahweh.

Samuel was very unhappy with them for requesting that, so he prayed to Yahweh about it.

7 And he said Yahweh to Samuel listen to [the] voice of the people to all what they will say to you for not you they have rejected for me they have rejected from reigning over them.

Yahweh replied, “Do what they have requested you to do. But ([do not think/the truth is not]) that you are the one whom they are really rejecting. I have been their king, and I am the one they are really rejecting.

8 According to all the deeds which they have done from [the] day brought up I them from Egypt and until the day this and they have forsaken me and they have served gods other so they [are] doing also to you.

Ever since I brought them out of Egypt, they have rejected me, and they have worshiped other gods. And now they are also rejecting you in the same way.

9 And now listen to voice their nevertheless for certainly you will warn them and you will tell to them [the] right[s] of the king who he will reign over them.

Do what they are asking you to do. But warn/tell them about how their kings will act toward them!”

10 And he spoke Samuel all [the] words of Yahweh to the people who were asking from with him a king.

So Samuel told those people what Yahweh had said.

11 And he said this it will be [the] right[s] of the king who he will reign over you sons your he will take and he will appoint [them] for himself in chariot[s] his and among horsemen his and they will run before chariot his.

He said, “If a king rules over you, this is what he will do to you: He will force many of your sons to join the army. He will make [some of] them run in front of his chariots [to clear people out of his way].

12 And to appoint [them] for himself commanders of thousands and commanders of fifties and to plow plowing his and to harvest harvest his and to make [the] weapons of warfare his and [the] equipment of chariotry his.

[Some of] them will be commanders of his soldiers, but others will work for him like slaves. He will force some of them to plow his fields and [then later] harvest his crops. He will force others to make his weapons and equipment for his chariots.

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

The king will take [some of] your daughters [from you and force them] to make perfumes for him and cook food for him and bake [bread for him].

14 And fields your and vineyards your and olive groves your good he will take and he will give [them] to servants his.

He will take your best fields and vineyards and olive tree groves/orchards, and give them to his own officials.

15 And seed your and vineyards your he will take a tenth and he will give [them] to officials his and to servants his.

He will take a tenth of your harvests and distribute it among the officers and servants [who work in] his [palace].

16 And [male] servants your and female servants your and young men your good and donkeys your he will take and he will use [them] for work his.

He will take from you your male and female servants, your best cattle and donkeys, and force them to work for him.

17 Flock[s] your he will take a tenth and you you will become of him servants.

He will take one tenth of your sheep and goats. And you will become his slaves!

18 And you will cry out in the day that because of king your whom you have chosen for yourselves and not he will answer Yahweh you in the day that.

When that time comes, you will complain loudly to the king, the king that you yourselves have chosen, but Yahweh will not (pay attention to/help) you.”

19 And they refused the people to listen to [the] voice of Samuel and they said No! for except a king he will be over us.

But the people refused to pay attention to what Samuel said. They said, “We do not [care what you say]! We want a king!

20 And we will be also we like all the nations and he will judge us king our and he will go out before us and he will fight battles our.

We want to be like the other nations. We want a king to rule us and to lead our soldiers when they go to fight.”

21 And he heard Samuel all [the] words of the people and he spoke them in [the] ears of Yahweh.

When Samuel told Yahweh what the people had said,

22 And he said Yahweh to Samuel listen to voice their and you will make king for them a king and he said Samuel to [the] people of Israel go each man to own city his.

Yahweh replied, “Do what they are telling you to do. Give them a king!” [So Samuel agreed], and then he sent the people home.