1 Samuel 8
1 When Samuel grew old, he appointed his sons as judges over Israel.
2 The name of his firstborn son was Joel, and the name of the second was Abijah; they were judges in Beersheba.
3 But his sons did not follow his ways. They turned aside after dishonest gain, accepted bribes, and perverted justice.
4 Then all the elders of Israel gathered and went to Samuel at Ramah.
5 They said to him, “Look, you have grown old, and your sons do not follow your ways. Now appoint a king over us to judge us, like all the other nations.”
6 This displeased Samuel, because they said, “Give us a king to judge us.” And Samuel prayed to the LORD.
7 The LORD said to Samuel, “Listen to the people in everything they say to you, because it is not you they have rejected; they have rejected me, so that I would not reign over them.
8 Just as they have done in all their deeds from the day I brought them up from Egypt until today—forsaking me and serving other gods—so they are doing to you as well.
9 Now listen to them. But warn them solemnly and tell them what the king who will reign over them will demand.”
10 Samuel told the people who were asking him for a king all the words of the LORD.
11 He said, “This is what the king who will reign over you will demand: he will take your sons and put them in his chariots and among his horsemen, and they will run ahead of his chariot.
12 He will appoint them as commanders of thousands and commanders of fifties, and set them to plow his fields, harvest his crops, and make his weapons of war and equipment for his chariots.
13 He will take your daughters to be perfumers, cooks, and bakers.
14 He will take your best fields, vineyards, and olive groves and give them to his officials.
15 He will take a tenth of your seed and your vineyards and give it to his eunuchs and officials.
16 He will take your male and female servants, your best young men, and your donkeys, and put them to work for him.
17 He will take a tenth of your flocks, and you will become his slaves.
18 On that day you will cry out because of the king you chose for yourselves, but the LORD will not answer you on that day.”
19 But the people refused to listen to Samuel and said, “No! We will have a king over us.
20 Then we too will be like all the other nations. Our king will judge us, go out before us, and fight our battles.”
21 Samuel heard all the words of the people and repeated them in the hearing of the LORD.
22 The LORD said to Samuel, “Listen to them and appoint a king for them.” Then Samuel said to the men of Israel, “Go, each of you to your own city.”
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