1 Samuel 8
1 And it cometh to pass, when Samuel [is] aged, that he maketh his sons judges over Israel.
When Samuel became old, he appointed his two sons, Joel and Abijah, to lead/rule the people of Israel.
2 And the name of his first-born son is Joel, and the name of his second Abiah, judges in Beer-Sheba:
They judged people’s disputes/cases in Beersheba [town].
3 and his sons have not walked in his ways, and turn aside after the dishonest gain, and take a bribe, and turn aside judgment.
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 all the elders of Israel gather themselves together, and come in unto Samuel to Ramath,
Finally, the Israeli leaders met at Ramah [town to discuss the matter] with Samuel.
5 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.'
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 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.
Samuel was very unhappy with them for requesting that, so he prayed to Yahweh about it.
7 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.
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 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.
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, 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.'
Do what they are asking you to do. But warn/tell them about how their kings will act toward them!”
10 And Samuel speaketh all the words of Jehovah unto the people who are asking from him a king,
So Samuel told those people what Yahweh had said.
11 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;
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 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.
[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 your daughters he doth take for perfumers, and for cooks, and for 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 your fields, and your vineyards, and your olive-yards — the best — he doth take, and hath given to his servants.
He will take your best fields and vineyards and olive tree groves/orchards, and give them to his own officials.
15 And your seed and your vineyards he doth tithe, and hath given to his eunuchs, and to his servants.
He will take a tenth of your harvests and distribute it among the officers and servants [who work in] his [palace].
16 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;
He will take from you your male and female servants, your best cattle and donkeys, and force them to work for him.
17 your flock he doth tithe, and ye are to him for servants.
He will take one tenth of your sheep and goats. And you will become his slaves!
18 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.'
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 the people refuse to hearken to the voice of Samuel, and say, 'Nay, but a king is 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 have been, even we, like all the nations; and our king hath judged us, and gone out before us, and fought our battles.'
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 Samuel heareth all the words of the people, and speaketh them in the ears of Jehovah;
When Samuel told Yahweh what the people had said,
22 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.'
Yahweh replied, “Do what they are telling you to do. Give them a king!” [So Samuel agreed], and then he sent the people home.
