Warning concerning a King

10 So Samuel spoke all the words of the Lord to (A)the people who had asked him for a king. 11 And he said, “(B)This will be the [a]practice of the king who will reign over you: (C)he will take your sons and put them in his chariots for himself and among his horsemen, and (D)they will run before his chariots. 12 (E)He will appoint for himself commanders of thousands and commanders of fifties, and some to [b]do his plowing and to gather in his harvest, and to make his weapons of war and equipment for his chariots. 13 He will also take your daughters and use them as perfumers, cooks, and bakers. 14 (F)He will take the best of your fields, your vineyards, and your olive groves, and give them to his servants. 15 And he will take a tenth of your seed and your vineyards and give it to his high officials and his servants. 16 He will also take your male servants and your female servants, and your best young men, and your donkeys, and [c]use them for his work. 17 He will take a tenth of your flocks, and you yourselves will become his servants. 18 Then (G)you will cry out on that day because of your king whom you have chosen for yourselves, but (H)the Lord will not answer you on that day.”

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Samuel 8:11 Lit custom
  2. 1 Samuel 8:12 Lit plow his plowing
  3. 1 Samuel 8:16 Lit make

10 Samuel told(A) 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(B) your sons and make them serve(C) with his chariots and horses, and they will run in front of his chariots.(D) 12 Some he will assign to be commanders(E) of thousands and commanders of fifties, and others to plow his ground and reap his harvest, and still others to make weapons of war and equipment for his chariots. 13 He will take your daughters to be perfumers and cooks and bakers. 14 He will take the best of your(F) fields and vineyards(G) and olive groves and give them to his attendants.(H) 15 He will take a tenth(I) of your grain and of your vintage and give it to his officials and attendants. 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(J) you in that day.(K)

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Footnotes

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