I Samuelis 8
1 Factum est autem cum senuisset Samuel, posuit filios suos iudices Israel.
When Samuel became old, he appointed his two sons, Joel and Abijah, to lead/rule the people of Israel.
2 Fuitque nomen filii eius primogeniti Ioel: et nomen secundi Abia, iudicum in Bersabee.
They judged people’s disputes/cases in Beersheba [town].
3 Et non ambulaverunt filii illius in viis eius: sed declinaverunt post avaritiam, acceperuntque munera, et perverterunt iudicium.
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 Congregati ergo universi maiores natu Israel, venerunt ad Samuelem in Ramatha.
Finally, the Israeli leaders met at Ramah [town to discuss the matter] with Samuel.
5 Dixeruntque ei: Ecce tu senuisti, et filii tui non ambulant in viis tuis: constitue nobis regem, ut iudicet nos, sicut et universae habent nationes.
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 Displicuit sermo in oculis Samuelis, eo quod dixissent: Da nobis regem, ut iudicet nos. Et oravit Samuel ad Dominum.
Samuel was very unhappy with them for requesting that, so he prayed to Yahweh about it.
7 Dixit autem Dominus ad Samuelem: Audi vocem populi in omnibus quae loquuntur tibi. non enim te abiecerunt, sed me, ne regnem super eos.
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 Iuxta omnia opera sua, quae fecerunt a die qua eduxi eos de Aegypto usque ad diem hanc: sicut dereliquerunt me, et servierunt diis alienis, sic faciunt etiam tibi.
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 Nunc ergo vocem eorum audi: verumtamen contestare eos, et praedic eis ius regis, qui regnaturus est super eos.
Do what they are asking you to do. But warn/tell them about how their kings will act toward them!”
10 Dixit itaque Samuel omnia verba Domini ad populum, qui petierat a se regem,
So Samuel told those people what Yahweh had said.
11 et ait: Hoc erit ius regis, qui imperaturus est vobis: filios vestros tollet, et ponet in curribus suis, facietque sibi equites et praecursores quadrigarum suarum,
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 et constituet sibi tribunos, et centuriones, et aratores agrorum suorum, et messores segetum, et fabros armorum et curruum suorum.
[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 Filias quoque vestras faciet sibi unguentarias, et focarias, et panificas.
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 Agros quoque vestros, et vineas, et oliveta optima tollet, et dabit servis suis.
He will take your best fields and vineyards and olive tree groves/orchards, and give them to his own officials.
15 Sed et segetes vestras, et vinearum reditus addecimabit, ut det eunuchis et famulis suis.
He will take a tenth of your harvests and distribute it among the officers and servants [who work in] his [palace].
16 Servos etiam vestros, et ancillas, et iuvenes optimos, et asinos, auferet, et ponet in opere suo.
He will take from you your male and female servants, your best cattle and donkeys, and force them to work for him.
17 Greges quoque vestros addecimabit, vosque eritis ei servi.
He will take one tenth of your sheep and goats. And you will become his slaves!
18 Et clamabitis in die illa a facie regis vestri, quem elegistis vobis: et non exaudiet vos Dominus in die illa, quia petistis vobis regem.
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 Noluit autem populus audire vocem Samuelis, sed dixerunt: Nequaquam: rex enim erit super nos,
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 et erimus nos quoque sicut omnes gentes: et iudicabit nos rex noster, et egredietur ante nos, et pugnabit bella nostra pro nobis.
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 Et audivit Samuel omnia verba populi, et locutus est ea in auribus Domini.
When Samuel told Yahweh what the people had said,
22 Dixit autem Dominus ad Samuelem: Audi vocem eorum, et constitue super eos regem. Et ait Samuel ad viros Israel: Vadat unusquisque in civitatem suam.
Yahweh replied, “Do what they are telling you to do. Give them a king!” [So Samuel agreed], and then he sent the people home.
