1 Samuel 8

1 And it cometh to pass, when Samuel [is] aged, that he maketh his sons judges over Israel.

When Samuel was old, he made his sons judges over Israel.

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

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

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.

His sons didn’t walk in his ways, but turned away after dishonest gain, took bribes, and perverted justice.

4 And all the elders of Israel gather themselves together, and come in unto Samuel to Ramath,

Then all the elders of Israel gathered themselves together and came to Samuel to Ramah.

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, “Behold, you are old, and your sons don’t walk in your ways. Now make us a king to judge us like all the nations.”

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.

But the thing displeased Samuel when they said, “Give us a king to judge us.” Samuel prayed to the LORD.

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.

The LORD said to Samuel, “Listen to the voice of the people in all that they tell you; for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected me as the king over them.

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.

According to all the works which they have done since the day that I brought them up out of Egypt even to this day, in that they have forsaken me and served other gods, so they also do to you.

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.'

Now therefore, listen to their voice. However, you shall protest solemnly to them, and shall show them the way of the king who will reign over them.”

10 And Samuel speaketh all the words of Jehovah unto the people who are asking from him a king,

Samuel told all the LORD’s words to the people who asked him for a king.

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, “This will be the way of the king who shall reign over you: he will take your sons and appoint them as his servants, for his chariots and to be his horsemen; and they will run before his chariots.

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.

He will appoint them to him for captains of thousands and captains of fifties; and he will assign some to plough his ground and to reap his harvest; and to make his instruments of war and the instruments of his chariots.

13 'And your daughters he doth take for perfumers, and for cooks, and for bakers;

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

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 fields, your vineyards, and your olive groves, even your best, and give them to his servants.

15 And your seed and your vineyards he doth tithe, and hath given to his eunuchs, and to his servants.

He will take one tenth of your seed and of your vineyards, and give it to his officers and to his servants.

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 your male servants, your female servants, your best young men, and your donkeys, and assign them to his own work.

17 your flock he doth tithe, and ye are to him for servants.

He will take one tenth of your flocks; and you will be his servants.

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.'

You will cry out in that day because of your king whom you will have chosen for yourselves; and the LORD will not answer you in that day.”

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 listen to the voice of Samuel; and they said, “No, but we will have a king over us,

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.'

that we also may be like all the nations; and that our king may judge us, and go out before us, and fight our battles.”

21 And Samuel heareth all the words of the people, and speaketh them in the ears of Jehovah;

Samuel heard all the words of the people, and he rehearsed them in the ears of the LORD.

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.'

The LORD said to Samuel, “Listen to their voice, and make them a king.” Samuel said to the men of Israel, “Everyone go to your own city.”