1Samuel 8

1 When Samuel became old, he appointed his sons judges over Israel.ISV — 1Samuel 8:1

2 The name of his firstborn son was Joel and the name of his second was Abijah. They were judges in Beer-sheba.ISV — 1Samuel 8:2

3 His sons did not follow Samuel’s example. ^{a8:3 Lit. not walk in his ways} Instead, they pursued ^{b8:3 Lit. turned after} dishonest gain, took bribes, and perverted justice. ^{c8:3 Lit. caused justice to be turned aside}ISV — 1Samuel 8:3

4 All the elders of Israel gathered together, and came to Samuel at Ramah.ISV — 1Samuel 8:4

5 They told him, “Look, you’re old, and your sons don’t follow your example. ^{d8:5 Lit. not walk in his ways} So appoint a king to govern us like all the other ^{e8:5 The Heb. lacks other} nations.”ISV — 1Samuel 8:5

6 Samuel was displeased ^{f8:6 Lit. the thing was bad in the eyes of} when they said, “Give us a king to govern us.” So Samuel prayed to the LORD.ISV — 1Samuel 8:6

7 The LORD told Samuel, “Listen to the people ^{g8:7 Lit. the voice of the people} in all that they say to you. In fact, it’s not you they have rejected, but rather they have rejected me from being their king.ISV — 1Samuel 8:7

8 Like all the things they have done from the day I brought them up out of Egypt until this very day, they have forsaken me and followed other gods. They’re also doing the same thing to you.ISV — 1Samuel 8:8

9 Now, listen to them, but you are to clearly warn them and inform them about how the king who rules over them will operate.” ^{h8:9 Lit. the practice of the king}ISV — 1Samuel 8:9

10 Samuel reported everything the LORD told him to the people who were asking him for a king.ISV — 1Samuel 8:10

11 He said, “This is how the king who rules over you will operate: He will conscript your sons and assign them ^{i8:11 Lit. them for himself} to his chariots. He will conscript them ^{j8:11 The Heb. lacks conscripting them} as his horsemen, and they’ll run in front of his chariots.ISV — 1Samuel 8:11

12 He will appoint his officers over thousands and officers over fifties—some will plow his fields, ^{k8:12 Lit. and to plow his plowing} reap his harvest, and craft his war implements and equipment for his chariots.ISV — 1Samuel 8:12

13 He will take your daughters for perfumers, cooks, and bakers.ISV — 1Samuel 8:13

14 He will take the best products of your fields, your vineyards, and your olive groves and give them to his servants. ^{l 8:14 Or officials}ISV — 1Samuel 8:14

15 He will take a tenth of your seed and your vineyards and give it to his officers and servants. ^{m8:15 Or officials}ISV — 1Samuel 8:15

16 He will take your male and female servants, your best young men, and your donkeys to do his work.ISV — 1Samuel 8:16

17 He will take a tenth of your flock, and you will become his servants.ISV — 1Samuel 8:17

18 When all of this comes about, you will cry out because of your king whom you chose for yourselves, but the LORD won’t answer you at that time.”ISV — 1Samuel 8:18

19 The people refused to listen to Samuel. ^{n8:19 Lit. to the voice of Samuel} Instead, they insisted, “No! Let a king rule over us instead!ISV — 1Samuel 8:19

20 We, too, will be like all the nations! Our king will govern us and go out before us to fight our battles.”ISV — 1Samuel 8:20

21 So Samuel listened to all the words of the people, and he repeated them directly to ^{o8:21 Lit. them in the ears of} the LORD.ISV — 1Samuel 8:21

22 The LORD told Samuel, “Listen to them, and appoint a king for them.” Then Samuel told the men of Israel, “Each of you go to his own town.”ISV — 1Samuel 8:22