So all the elders(A) of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah.(B) They said to him, “You are old, and your sons do not follow your ways; now appoint a king(C) to lead[a](D) us, such as all the other nations(E) have.”

But when they said, “Give us a king(F) to lead us,” this displeased(G) Samuel; so he prayed to the Lord. And the Lord told him: “Listen(H) to all that the people are saying to you; it is not you they have rejected,(I) but they have rejected me as their king.(J) As they have done from the day I brought them up out of Egypt until this day, forsaking(K) me and serving other gods, so they are doing to you. Now listen to them; but warn them solemnly and let them know(L) what the king who will reign over them will claim as his rights.”

10 Samuel told(M) all the words of the Lord to the people who were asking him for a king. 11 He said, “This is what the king who will reign over you will claim as his rights: He will take(N) your sons and make them serve(O) with his chariots and horses, and they will run in front of his chariots.(P)

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Samuel 8:5 Traditionally judge; also in verses 6 and 20

16 Your male and female servants and the best of your cattle[a] and donkeys he will take for his own use. 17 He will take a tenth of your flocks, and you yourselves will become his slaves. 18 When that day comes, you will cry out for relief from the king you have chosen, but the Lord will not answer(A) you in that day.(B)

19 But the people refused(C) to listen to Samuel. “No!” they said. “We want(D) a king(E) over us. 20 Then we will be like all the other nations,(F) with a king to lead us and to go out before us and fight our battles.”

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Samuel 8:16 Septuagint; Hebrew young men

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