1 Samuel 8
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[an error occurred while processing this directive]New Living Translation
1[an error occurred while processing this directive]1As Samuel grew old, he appointed his sons to be judges over Israel.
2[an error occurred while processing this directive]2Joel and Abijah, his oldest sons, held court in Beersheba.
3[an error occurred while processing this directive]3But they were not like their father, for they were greedy for money. They accepted bribes and perverted justice.
4[an error occurred while processing this directive]4Finally, all the elders of Israel met at Ramah to discuss the matter with Samuel.
5[an error occurred while processing this directive]5“Look,” they told him, “you are now old, and your sons are not like you. Give us a king to judge us like all the other nations have.”
6[an error occurred while processing this directive]6Samuel was displeased with their request and went to the LORD for guidance.
7[an error occurred while processing this directive]7“Do everything they say to you,” the LORD replied, “for they are rejecting me, not you. They don’t want me to be their king any longer.
8[an error occurred while processing this directive]8Ever since I brought them from Egypt they have continually abandoned me and followed other gods. And now they are giving you the same treatment.
9[an error occurred while processing this directive]9Do as they ask, but solemnly warn them about the way a king will reign over them.” Samuel Warns against a Kingdom
10[an error occurred while processing this directive]10So Samuel passed on the LORD’s warning to the people who were asking him for a king.
11[an error occurred while processing this directive]11“This is how a king will reign over you,” Samuel said. “The king will draft your sons and assign them to his chariots and his charioteers, making them run before his chariots.
12[an error occurred while processing this directive]12Some will be generals and captains in his army, some will be forced to plow in his fields and harvest his crops, and some will make his weapons and chariot equipment.
13[an error occurred while processing this directive]13The king will take your daughters from you and force them to cook and bake and make perfumes for him.
14[an error occurred while processing this directive]14He will take away the best of your fields and vineyards and olive groves and give them to his own officials.
15[an error occurred while processing this directive]15He will take a tenth of your grain and your grape harvest and distribute it among his officers and attendants.
16[an error occurred while processing this directive]16He will take your male and female slaves and demand the finest of your cattle and donkeys for his own use.
17[an error occurred while processing this directive]17He will demand a tenth of your flocks, and you will be his slaves.
18[an error occurred while processing this directive]18When that day comes, you will beg for relief from this king you are demanding, but then the LORD will not help you.”
19[an error occurred while processing this directive]19But the people refused to listen to Samuel’s warning. “Even so, we still want a king,” they said.
20[an error occurred while processing this directive]20“We want to be like the nations around us. Our king will judge us and lead us into battle.”
21[an error occurred while processing this directive]21So Samuel repeated to the LORD what the people had said,
22[an error occurred while processing this directive]22and the LORD replied, “Do as they say, and give them a king.” Then Samuel agreed and sent the people home.
[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.
1 Samuel 7
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