1 Samuel 8

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

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

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

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

3 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.

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

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

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

5 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!”

“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.”

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

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.

7 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.

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.

8 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.

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.

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

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

10 So Samuel told those people what Yahweh had said.

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

11 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].

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.

12 [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.

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.

13 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].

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

18 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.”

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.”

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

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

20 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.”

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.”

21 When Samuel told Yahweh what the people had said,

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

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

“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.”