1 Samuel 8:1-9

Expanded Bible

Israel Asks for a King

8 When Samuel was old, he ·made [appointed] his sons judges ·for [over] Israel. ² His first son was named Joel, and his second son was named Abijah. Joel and Abijah were judges in Beersheba [^Cin the Negev to the extreme south]. ³ But Samuel’s sons did not ·live as he did [^Lwalk/follow in his ways]. They ·tried to get money dishonestly [were greedy; wandered after money], and they accepted ·money secretly [bribes] ·to make wrong judgments [and perverted justice/made biased decisions].

⁴ So all the elders ·came together [assembled] and met Samuel at Ramah [1:1]. ⁵ They said to him, “You’re old, and your sons don’t ·live as you do [^Lwalk/follow in your ways]. Give us a king to ·rule over [judge] us like all the other nations [Deut. 17:14].”

⁶ When the elders said, “Give us [Appoint; ^LNow, set for us] a king to ·rule over [judge] us,” ·Samuel was not pleased [^Lit was evil/wrong in the eyes of Samuel]. So he prayed to the Lord, ⁷ and the Lord told Samuel, “Listen to ·whatever [^Lthe voice of] the people [^Lregarding what they] say to you. They have not rejected you. They have rejected me from being their king. ⁸ They are doing as they have always done. When I ·took them out of [brought them up from] Egypt, they ·left [abandoned; deserted; forsook] me and ·served [followed] other gods. They are doing the same to you. ⁹ Now ·listen to the people [listen to their voice; do as they ask], but [^Lsolemnly] warn them ·what the king who rules over them will do [about the way/manner/custom in which he will rule/reign over them].”