| [an error occurred while processing this directive] | Christian Standard Bible |
| 1[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 1Then Samuel said to all Israel, "I have carefully listened to everything you said to me and placed a king over you. |
| 2[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 2Now you can see that the king is leading you. As for me, I'm old and gray, and my sons are here with you. I have led you from my youth until now. |
| 3[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 3Here I am. Bring charges against me before the LORD and his anointed: Whose ox or donkey have I taken? Whom have I wronged or mistreated? From whom have I accepted a bribe to overlook something? I will return it to you." |
| 4[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 4"You haven't wronged us, you haven't mistreated us, and you haven't taken anything from anyone," they responded. |
| 5[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 5He said to them, "The LORD is a witness against you, and his anointed is a witness today that you haven't found anything in my hand." "He is a witness," they said. |
| 6[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 6Then Samuel said to the people, "The LORD, who appointed Moses and Aaron and who brought your ancestors up from the land of Egypt, is a witness. |
| 7[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 7Now present yourselves, so I may confront you before the LORD about all the righteous acts he has done for you and your ancestors. |
| 8[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 8"When Jacob went to Egypt, your ancestors cried out to the LORD, and he sent them Moses and Aaron, who led your ancestors out of Egypt and settled them in this place. |
| 9[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 9But they forgot the LORD their God, so he handed them over to Sisera commander of the army of Hazor, to the Philistines, and to the king of Moab. These enemies fought against them. |
| 10[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 10Then they cried out to the LORD and said, 'We have sinned, for we abandoned the LORD and worshiped the Baals and the Ashtoreths. Now rescue us from the power of our enemies, and we will serve you.' |
| 11[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 11So the LORD sent Jerubbaal, Barak, Jephthah, and Samuel. He rescued you from the power of the enemies around you, and you lived securely. |
| 12[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 12But when you saw that Nahash king of the Ammonites was coming against you, you said to me, 'No, we must have a king reign over us'--even though the LORD your God is your king. |
| 13[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 13"Now here is the king you've chosen, the one you requested. Look, this is the king the LORD has placed over you. |
| 14[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 14If you fear the LORD, worship and obey him, and if you don't rebel against the LORD's command, then both you and the king who reigns over you will follow the LORD your God. |
| 15[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 15However, if you disobey the LORD and rebel against his command, the LORD's hand will be against you as it was against your ancestors. |
| 16[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 16"Now, therefore, present yourselves and see this great thing that the LORD will do before your eyes. |
| 17[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 17Isn't the wheat harvest today? I will call on the LORD, and he will send thunder and rain so that you will recognize what an immense evil you committed in the LORD's sight by requesting a king for yourselves." |
| 18[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 18Samuel called on the LORD, and on that day the LORD sent thunder and rain. As a result, all the people greatly feared the LORD and Samuel. |
| 19[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 19They pleaded with Samuel, "Pray to the LORD your God for your servants so we won't die! For we have added to all our sins the evil of requesting a king for ourselves." |
| 20[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 20Samuel replied, "Don't be afraid. Even though you have committed all this evil, don't turn away from following the LORD. Instead, worship the LORD with all your heart. |
| 21[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 21Don't turn away to follow worthless things that can't profit or rescue you; they are worthless. |
| 22[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 22The LORD will not abandon his people, because of his great name and because he has determined to make you his own people. |
| 23[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 23"As for me, I vow that I will not sin against the LORD by ceasing to pray for you. I will teach you the good and right way. |
| 24[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 24Above all, fear the LORD and worship him faithfully with all your heart; consider the great things he has done for you. |
| 25[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 25However, if you continue to do what is evil, both you and your king will be swept away." |
| [an error occurred while processing this directive] | The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. |
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