10 ¶ So Samuel told all the words of the Lord unto the people that asked a king of him.

11 And he said, This shall be the [a]manner of the king that shall reign over you: he will take your sons, and appoint them to his chariots, and to be his horsemen, and some shall run before his chariot.

12 Also he will make them his captains over thousands, and captains over fifties, and to ear his ground, and to reap his harvest, and to make instruments of war, and the things that serve for his chariots.

13 He will also take your daughters and make them Apothecaries, and Cooks, and Bakers.

14 And he will take your fields, and your vineyards, and your best Olive trees, and give them to his servants.

15 And he will take the tenth of your seed, and of your vineyards, and give it to his [b]Eunuchs, and to his servants.

16 And he will take your menservants, and your maidservants, and the chief of your young men, and your asses, and put them to his work.

17 He will take the tenth of your sheep, and ye shall be his servants.

18 And ye shall cry out at that day, because of your king, whom ye have chosen you, and the Lord will not [c]hear you at that day.

19 But the people would not hear the voice of Samuel, but did say, Nay, but there shall be a king over us.

20 And we also will be like all other nations, and our king shall judge us, and go out before us and fight our battles.

21 Therefore when Samuel heard all the words of the people, he rehearsed them in the ears of the Lord.

22 And the Lord said to Samuel, [d]Hearken unto their voice, and make them a king. And Samuel said unto the men of Israel, Go every man unto his city.

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Samuel 8:11 Not that kings have this authority by their office, but that such as reign in God’s wrath should usurp this over their brethren, contrary to the law, Deut. 17:20.
  2. 1 Samuel 8:15 Or, chief officers.
  3. 1 Samuel 8:18 Because ye repent not for your sins, but because ye smart for your afflictions, whereinto ye cast yourselves willingly.
  4. 1 Samuel 8:22 Or, grant their request.

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