1 Samuel 8

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

And it came to pass when Samuel was old, that he made his sons judges over Israel.

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

And these [are] the names of his sons; Joel the firstborn, and the name of the second Abia, judges in Bersabee.

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.

And his sons did not walk in his way; and they turned aside after gain, and took gifts, and perverted judgments.

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

And the men of Israel gather themselves together, and come to Armathaim to Samuel,

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!”

and they said to him, Behold, you are grown old, and your sons walk not in your way; and now set over us a king to judge us, as also the other nations [have].

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

And the thing [was] evil in the eyes of Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to judge us: and Samuel 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, Hear the voice of the people, in whatever they shall say to you; for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected me from reigning over them.

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.

According to all their doings which they have done to me, from the day that I brought them out of Egypt until this day, even [as] they have deserted me, and served other gods, so they do also to you.

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

And now listen to their voice; only you shall solemnly testify to them, and you shall describe to them the manner of the king who shall reign over them.

10 So Samuel told those people what Yahweh had said.

And Samuel spoke every word of the Lord to the people who asked of him 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].

And he said, This shall be the manner of the king that shall rule over you: he shall take your sons, and put them in his chariots, and among his horsemen, and running before 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.

and [his manner shall be] to make them to himself captains of hundreds and captains of thousands; and to reap his harvest, and gather his vintage, and prepare his instruments of war, and the implements of 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, and cooks, and bakers.

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

And he will take your fields, and your vineyards, and your good olive yards, 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].

And he will take the tithe of your seeds and your vineyards, and give [it] to his eunuchs, and to his 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 servants, and your handmaids, and your good herds and your asses, and will take the tenth of them for his works.

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

And he will tithe your flocks; and you shall be his servants.

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.”

And you shall cry out in that day because of your king whom you have chosen to yourselves, and the Lord shall not hear you in those days, because you have chosen to yourselves a king.

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!

But the people would not listen to Samuel; and they said to him, Nay, but there shall be 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.”

An we also will be like all the nations; and our king shall judge us, and shall go out before us, and fight our battles.

21 When Samuel told Yahweh what the people had said,

And Samuel heard all the words of the people, and spoke them in the ears 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.

And the Lord said to Samuel, Listen to their voice, and appoint them a king. And Samuel said to the men of Israel, Let each man depart to his city.