1 Samuel 8
1 When Samuel became old, he appointed his two sons, Joel and Abijah, to lead/rule the people of Israel.
And it came to pass, when Samuel was old, that he appointed his sons judges over Israel.
2 They judged people’s disputes/cases in Beersheba [town].
And the name of his first-born was Joel; and the name of his second Abiyah: they judged in Beer-sheba'.
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.
But his sons walked not in his ways, and they inclined after their own advantage, and took bribes, and perverted justice.
4 Finally, the Israeli leaders met at Ramah [town to discuss the matter] with Samuel.
Then did all the elders of Israel assemble themselves together, and came to Samuel unto 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!”
And said unto him, Behold, thou art old, and thy sons have not walked in thy ways: now appoint for us a king to judge us like all the nations.
6 Samuel was very unhappy with them for requesting that, so he prayed to Yahweh about it.
But the thing was displeasing in the eyes of Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to judge us. And Samuel prayed unto the Lord.
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.
And the Lord said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they may say unto thee; for not thee have they rejected, but me have they rejected, that I should not reign over them.
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.
In accordance with all the deeds which they have done since the day that I brought them up out of Egypt even until this day, when they forsook me, and served other gods: so do they also unto thee.
9 Do what they are asking you to do. But warn/tell them about how their kings will act toward them!”
And now hearken unto their voice: nevertheless thou must still solemnly forewarn them, and tell them the manner of the king that will reign over them.
10 So Samuel told those people what Yahweh had said.
And Samuel said all the words of the Lord unto the people that had asked of him 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].
And he said, This will be the manner of the king that will reign over you: Your sons will he take, and appoint them for himself with his chariots, and among his horsemen; and they will have to run before 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.
And to appoint for himself captains over thousands, and captains over fifties; and to plough his ground, and to reap his harvest, and to make his instruments of war, and the instruments of his chariots.
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].
And your daughters will he take for ointment makers, and for cooks, and for bakers.
14 He will take your best fields and vineyards and olive tree groves/orchards, and give them to his own officials.
And your fields, and your vineyards, and your olive-yards, yea the best, will he take, and give them to his servants.
15 He will take a tenth of your harvests and distribute it among the officers and servants [who work in] his [palace].
And of your seeds, and of your vineyards will he take the tenth, and give [the same] to his officers, and to his servants.
16 He will take from you your male and female servants, your best cattle and donkeys, and force them to work for him.
And your men-servants, and your maid-servants, and your best young men, and your asses will he take, and employ [them] for his work.
17 He will take one tenth of your sheep and goats. And you will become his slaves!
Of your flocks will he take the tenth: and ye yourselves will become his servants.
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.”
And ye will cry out on that day because of your king whom ye will have chosen for yourselves, but the Lord will not answer you on that day.
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!
Nevertheless the people refused to listen to the voice of Samuel; and they said, No; but a king shall be over us;
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 we also may ourselves be like all the nations: and that our king may judge us, and go out before us, and fight our battles.
21 When Samuel told Yahweh what the people had said,
And Samuel heard all the words of the people, and he spoke them before the ears of 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.
And the Lord said to Samuel, Hearken unto their voice, and appoint them a king. And Samuel said unto the men of Israel, Go ye every man unto his city.
