| [an error occurred while processing this directive] | New Living Translation |
| 1[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 1Then Samuel addressed all Israel: “I have done as you asked and given you a king. |
| 2[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 2Your king is now your leader. I stand here before you—an old, gray-haired man—and my sons serve you. I have served as your leader from the time I was a boy to this very day. |
| 3[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 3Now testify against me in the presence of the LORD and before his anointed one. Whose ox or donkey have I stolen? Have I ever cheated any of you? Have I ever oppressed you? Have I ever taken a bribe and perverted justice? Tell me and I will make right whatever I have done wrong.” |
| 4[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 4“No,” they replied, “you have never cheated or oppressed us, and you have never taken even a single bribe.” |
| 5[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 5“The LORD and his anointed one are my witnesses today,” Samuel declared, “that my hands are clean.” “Yes, he is a witness,” they replied. |
| 6[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 6“It was the LORD who appointed Moses and Aaron,” Samuel continued. “He brought your ancestors out of the land of Egypt. |
| 7[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 7Now stand here quietly before the LORD as I remind you of all the great things the LORD has done for you and your ancestors. |
| 8[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 8“When the Israelites were in Egypt and cried out to the LORD, he sent Moses and Aaron to rescue them from Egypt and to bring them into this land. |
| 9[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 9But the people soon forgot about the LORD their God, so he handed them over to Sisera, the commander of Hazor’s army, and also to the Philistines and to the king of Moab, who fought against them. |
| 10[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 10“Then they cried to the LORD again and confessed, ‘We have sinned by turning away from the LORD and worshiping the images of Baal and Ashtoreth. But we will worship you and you alone if you will rescue us from our enemies.’ |
| 11[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 11Then the LORD sent Gideon, Bedan, Jephthah, and Samuel to save you, and you lived in safety. |
| 12[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 12“But when you were afraid of Nahash, the king of Ammon, you came to me and said that you wanted a king to reign over you, even though the LORD your God was already your king. |
| 13[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 13All right, here is the king you have chosen. You asked for him, and the LORD has granted your request. |
| 14[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 14“Now if you fear and worship the LORD and listen to his voice, and if you do not rebel against the LORD’s commands, then both you and your king will show that you recognize the LORD as your God. |
| 15[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 15But if you rebel against the LORD’s commands and refuse to listen to him, then his hand will be as heavy upon you as it was upon your ancestors. |
| 16[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 16“Now stand here and see the great thing the LORD is about to do. |
| 17[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 17You know that it does not rain at this time of the year during the wheat harvest. I will ask the LORD to send thunder and rain today. Then you will realize how wicked you have been in asking the LORD for a king!” |
| 18[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 18So Samuel called to the LORD, and the LORD sent thunder and rain that day. And all the people were terrified of the LORD and of Samuel. |
| 19[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 19“Pray to the LORD your God for us, or we will die!” they all said to Samuel. “For now we have added to our sins by asking for a king.” |
| 20[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 20“Don’t be afraid,” Samuel reassured them. “You have certainly done wrong, but make sure now that you worship the LORD with all your heart, and don’t turn your back on him. |
| 21[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 21Don’t go back to worshiping worthless idols that cannot help or rescue you—they are totally useless! |
| 22[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 22The LORD will not abandon his people, because that would dishonor his great name. For it has pleased the LORD to make you his very own people. |
| 23[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 23“As for me, I will certainly not sin against the LORD by ending my prayers for you. And I will continue to teach you what is good and right. |
| 24[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 24But be sure to fear the LORD and faithfully serve him. Think of all the wonderful things he has done for you. |
| 25[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 25But if you continue to sin, you and your king will be swept away.” |
| [an error occurred while processing this directive] | Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. |
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