1 Samuel 8:1-9
Modern English Version
Israel Demands a King
8 And it came about when Samuel was old, that he installed his sons as judges for Israel. 2 Now the name of his firstborn son was Joel, and the name of his second son was Abijah. They were judging in Beersheba. 3 But his sons did not walk in his way, for they followed after unlawful gain, and they took bribes, and they perverted justice.
4 And all the elders of Israel gathered together and they came to Samuel at Ramah. 5 They said to him, “You are old and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now, install for us a king to govern us like all the nations.”
6 But the thing was evil in the eyes of Samuel, because they said, “Give us a king to govern us.” And Samuel prayed to the Lord. 7 The Lord said to Samuel, “Obey the voice of the people in relation to all that they say to you. For it is not you they have rejected, but Me they have rejected from reigning over them. 8 Just as all the deeds which they have done to Me, from the day I brought them up from Egypt even to this day, in that they have forsaken Me and have served other gods, so they are doing also to you now. 9 Now then, obey their voice. Only you will testify against them and proclaim to them the judgment concerning the king who will reign over them.”
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1 Samuel 8:1-9
21st Century King James Version
8 And it came to pass when Samuel was old that he made his sons judges over Israel.
2 Now the name of his firstborn was Joel, and the name of his second, Abijah; they were judges in Beersheba.
3 And his sons walked not in his ways, but turned aside after lucre and took bribes and perverted judgment.
4 Then all the elders of Israel gathered themselves together, and came to Samuel at Ramah
5 and said unto him, “Behold, thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways. Now make us a king to judge us, like all the nations.”
6 But the thing displeased Samuel when they said, “Give us a king to judge us.” And Samuel prayed unto the Lord.
7 And the Lord said unto Samuel, “Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee; for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected Me, that I should not reign over them.
8 According to all the works which they have done since the day that I brought them up out of Egypt even unto this day, wherewith they have forsaken Me and served other gods, so do they also unto thee.
9 Now therefore hearken unto their voice. However, yet protest solemnly unto them and show them the ways of the king that shall reign over them.”
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