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 comes to pass, when Samuel [is] aged, that he makes his sons judges over Israel.

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

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

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

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

And all [the] elderly of Israel gather themselves together, and come to Samuel at Ramath,

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 say to him, “Behold, you have become aged, and your sons have not walked in your ways; now, appoint a king to us, to judge us, like all the nations.”

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

And the thing is evil in the eyes of Samuel when they have said, “Give a king to us, to judge us”; and Samuel prays to YHWH.

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 YHWH says to Samuel, “Listen to the voice of the people, to all that they 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 the works that they have done from the day of My bringing them up out of Egypt, even to this day, when they forsake Me, and serve other gods—so they are also doing 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, surely you certainly protest to them, and have declared to them the custom of the king who reigns over them.”

10 So Samuel told those people what Yahweh had said.

And Samuel speaks all the words of YHWH to the people who are asking [for] a king from him,

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 says, “This is the custom of the king who reigns over you: he takes your sons, and has appointed for himself among his chariots, and among his horsemen, and they have run 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.

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 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 takes your daughters for perfumers, and for cooks, and for bakers;

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

and your fields, and your vineyards, and your olive-yards—he takes the best, and has given 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 tithes your seed and your vineyards, and has given 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 your menservants and your maidservants, and the best of your young men and your donkeys, he takes, and has prepared for his own work;

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

he tithes your flock, and you are for servants to him.

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 have cried out in that day because of the king whom you have chosen for yourselves, and YHWH does not answer you in 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!

And the people refuse to listen to the voice of Samuel, and say, “No, but a king is 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.”

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

21 When Samuel told Yahweh what the people had said,

And Samuel hears all the words of the people, and speaks them in the ears of YHWH;

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 YHWH says to Samuel, “Listen to their voice, and you have caused a king to reign over them.” And Samuel says to the men of Israel, “Go, each man, to his city.”