1 Samuel 8:1-7 ▼

1 In his old age Samuel appointed his sons judges over Israel.

2 His firstborn was named Joel, his second son, Abijah; they judged at Beer-sheba.

3 His sons did not follow his example, but looked to their own gain, accepting bribes and perverting justice.

4 Therefore all the elders of Israel assembled and went to Samuel at Ramah

5 and said to him, “Now that you are old, and your sons do not follow your example, appoint a king over us, like all the nations, to rule us.”

6 Samuel was displeased when they said, “Give us a king to rule us.” But he prayed to the LORD.

7 The LORD said: Listen to whatever the people say. You are not the one they are rejecting. They are rejecting me as their king.