1 Samuel 8
1 When Samuel became old, he appointed his two sons, Joel and Abijah, to lead/rule the people of Israel.
When Samuel grew old, he made his sons leaders over Israel.
2 They judged people’s disputes/cases in Beersheba [town].
His first son was named Joel, and his second son was named Abijah. They were rulers in Beersheba.
3 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.
However, his sons did not follow his ways. They were corrupt, making money by accepting bribes and perverting justice.
4 Finally, the Israeli leaders met at Ramah [town to discuss the matter] with Samuel.
So the elders of Israel all joined together and came to meet Samuel at Ramah.
5 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!”
“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 Samuel was very unhappy with them for requesting that, so he prayed to Yahweh about it.
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 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.
“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 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.
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 Do what they are asking you to do. But warn/tell them about how their kings will act toward 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 So Samuel told those people what Yahweh had said.
Samuel repeated all that the Lord had said to the people asking him to give them a king.
11 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].
“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 [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.
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 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].
He will take your daughters and have them work as perfume-makers, cooks, and bakers.
14 He will take your best fields and vineyards and olive tree groves/orchards, and give them to his own officials.
He will take your best fields, vineyards, and olive groves and give them to his officials.
15 He will take a tenth of your harvests and distribute it among the officers and servants [who work in] his [palace].
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 He will take from you your male and female servants, your best cattle and donkeys, and force them to work for him.
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 He will take one tenth of your sheep and goats. And you will become his slaves!
He will take a tenth of your flocks, and you yourselves will be his slaves.
18 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.”
On that day you will plead to be rescued from the king you have chosen, but the Lord won't answer you then.”
19 But the people refused to pay attention to what Samuel said. They said, “We do not [care what you say]! We want a king!
But the people refused to listen to what Samuel said. “No!” they insisted. “We want our own king!
20 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.”
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 When Samuel told Yahweh what the people had said,
Samuel listened to everything the people said and repeated it to the Lord.
22 Yahweh replied, “Do what they are telling you to do. Give them a king!” [So Samuel agreed], and then he sent the people home.
The Lord told Samuel, “Do what they say and give them a king.” Then Samuel told the Israelites, “Go back to your homes.”
