1 Samuel 8

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

When Samuel grew old, he made his sons leaders over Israel.

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

His first son was named Joel, and his second son was named Abijah. They were rulers 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.

However, his sons did not follow his ways. They were corrupt, making money by accepting bribes and perverting justice.

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

So the elders of Israel all joined together and came to meet Samuel at 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.'

“Look here,” they told him, “you are old, and your sons do not follow your ways. Choose a king to rule over us like all the other 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.

Samuel thought this was a bad idea when they said, “Give us a king to rule over us,” so he prayed to the Lord 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.

“Do what the people tell you,” the Lord said to Samuel, “because it's not you they're rejecting, but me as their king.

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.

They're doing just as they have always done since I led them out of Egypt right up to now. They have abandoned me and worshiped other gods, and they're doing just the same 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.'

So do what they want, but give them a solemn warning—explain to them what a king will do when he rules over them.”

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

Samuel repeated all that the Lord had said to the people asking him to give them 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;

“This is what a king will do when he rules over you,” he told them. “He will take your sons and make them serve as charioteers and horsemen, and to run as a guard in front of his chariot.

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 he will make commanders of thousands and commanders of fifties, and some will have to plow his fields and reap his harvest. Some will be assigned to making weapons of war and chariot equipment.

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

He will take your daughters and have them work as perfume-makers, cooks, and 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 best fields, vineyards, and olive groves and give them to his 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 grain harvest and the produce of your vineyards and allocate it to his chief officers and officials.

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 and your female servants, and your best young men and your donkeys, and make them work for him.

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

He will take a tenth of your flocks, and you yourselves will be 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.'

On that day you will plead to be rescued from the king you have chosen, but the Lord won't answer you then.”

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 what Samuel said. “No!” they insisted. “We want our own 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.'

That way we can be like all the other nations. Our king will rule us, and will lead us when we go out to fight our battles.”

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

Samuel listened to everything the people said and repeated it to 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 told Samuel, “Do what they say and give them a king.” Then Samuel told the Israelites, “Go back to your homes.”