I Samuelis 8
1 factum est autem cum senuisset Samuhel posuit filios suos iudices Israhel
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 Iohel 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 Israhel venerunt ad Samuhel 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 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 displicuitque sermo in oculis Samuhelis eo quod dixissent da nobis regem ut iudicet nos et oravit Samuhel Dominum
Samuel was very unhappy with them for requesting that, so he prayed to Yahweh about it.
7 dixit autem Dominus ad Samuhel 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 audi vocem eorum 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 Samuhel 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 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
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 Samuhel 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 Samuhel omnia verba populi et locutus est ea in auribus Domini
When Samuel told Yahweh what the people had said,
22 dixit autem Dominus ad Samuhel audi vocem eorum et constitue super eos regem et ait Samuhel ad viros Israhel 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.
