1 Samuel 8
1 When Samuel grew old, he made his sons leaders over Israel.
撒母耳年紀老邁，就立他兒子作以色列的士師。
2 His first son was named Joel, and his second son was named Abijah. They were rulers in Beersheba.
長子名叫約珥，次子名叫亞比亞；他們在別是巴作士師。
3 However, his sons did not follow his ways. They were corrupt, making money by accepting bribes and perverting justice.
他兒子不行他的道，貪圖財利，收受賄賂，屈枉正直。
4 So the elders of Israel all joined together and came to meet Samuel at Ramah.
以色列的長老都聚集，來到拉瑪見撒母耳，
5 “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.”
對他說：「你年紀老邁了，你兒子不行你的道。現在求你為我們立一個王治理我們，像列國一樣。」
6 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.
撒母耳不喜悅他們說「立一個王治理我們」，他就禱告耶和華。
7 “Do what the people tell you,” the Lord said to Samuel, “because it's not you they're rejecting, but me as their king.
耶和華對撒母耳說：「百姓向你說的一切話，你只管依從；因為他們不是厭棄你，乃是厭棄我，不要我作他們的王。
8 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.
自從我領他們出埃及到如今，他們常常離棄我，事奉別神。現在他們向你所行的，是照他們素來所行的。
9 So do what they want, but give them a solemn warning—explain to them what a king will do when he rules over them.”
故此你要依從他們的話，只是當警戒他們，告訴他們將來那王怎樣管轄他們。」
10 Samuel repeated all that the Lord had said to the people asking him to give them a king.
撒母耳將耶和華的話都傳給求他立王的百姓，說：
11 “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.
「管轄你們的王必這樣行：他必派你們的兒子為他趕車、跟馬，奔走在車前；
12 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.
又派他們作千夫長、五十夫長，為他耕種田地，收割莊稼，打造軍器和車上的器械；
13 He will take your daughters and have them work as perfume-makers, cooks, and bakers.
必取你們的女兒為他製造香膏，做飯烤餅；
14 He will take your best fields, vineyards, and olive groves and give them to his officials.
也必取你們最好的田地、葡萄園、橄欖園賜給他的臣僕。
15 He will take a tenth of your grain harvest and the produce of your vineyards and allocate it to his chief officers and officials.
你們的糧食和葡萄園所出的，他必取十分之一給他的太監和臣僕；
16 He will take your male servants and your female servants, and your best young men and your donkeys, and make them work for him.
又必取你們的僕人婢女，健壯的少年人和你們的驢，供他的差役。
17 He will take a tenth of your flocks, and you yourselves will be his slaves.
你們的羊群他必取十分之一，你們也必作他的僕人。
18 On that day you will plead to be rescued from the king you have chosen, but the Lord won't answer you then.”
那時你們必因所選的王哀求耶和華，耶和華卻不應允你們。」
19 But the people refused to listen to what Samuel said. “No!” they insisted. “We want our own king!
百姓竟不肯聽撒母耳的話，說：「不然！我們定要一個王治理我們，
20 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.”
使我們像列國一樣，有王治理我們，統領我們，為我們爭戰。」
21 Samuel listened to everything the people said and repeated it to the Lord.
撒母耳聽見百姓這一切話，就將這話陳明在耶和華面前。
22 The Lord told Samuel, “Do what they say and give them a king.” Then Samuel told the Israelites, “Go back to your homes.”
耶和華對撒母耳說：「你只管依從他們的話，為他們立王。」撒母耳對以色列人說：「你們各歸各城去吧！」
