Israel Demands a King

Now it came about, when Samuel was old, that (A)he appointed his sons as judges over Israel. The name of his firstborn was Joel, and the name of his second, Abijah; they were judging in (B)Beersheba. His sons, however, did not walk in his ways but turned aside after dishonest gain, and they (C)took bribes and perverted justice.

Then all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at (D)Ramah; and they said to him, “Behold, you have grown old, and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now (E)appoint us a king to judge us like all the nations.” But the matter was [a](F)displeasing in the sight of Samuel when they said, “Give us a king to judge us.” And (G)Samuel prayed to the Lord. And the Lord said to Samuel, “Listen to the voice of the people regarding all that they say to you, because (H)they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me from being King over them. Like all the deeds which they have done since the day that I brought them up from Egypt even to this day—in that they have abandoned Me and served other gods—so they are doing to you as well. Now then, listen to their voice; (I)however, you shall warn them strongly and tell them of (J)the [b]practice of the king who will reign over them.”

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Samuel 8:6 Or evil
  2. 1 Samuel 8:9 Lit custom

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