1 Samuel 8

1When Samuel grew old, he appointed his sons judges over Israel.

2The name of his firstborn son was Joel, and the name of his second was Abijah; they were judges in Beersheba.

3His sons did not walk in his way or his ways, but turned after gain, took bribes, and twisted justice.

4All the elders of Israel gathered and came to Samuel at Ramah.

5They said to him, "See, you have grown old, and your sons have not followed your ways; now appoint a king for us to judge us like all the nations."

6The matter was offensive to Samuel when they said, "Give us a king to judge us." Samuel prayed to Yahweh.

7Yahweh said to Samuel, “Listen to the voice of the people in everything they say to you, for they have not rejected you but have rejected me from reigning over them.”

8As in every deed they performed from the day I brought them up from Egypt until today—forsaking me and serving other gods—so they are doing to you also.

9Now listen to their voice; however, solemnly warn them and tell them the rights of the king who will reign over them.

10Samuel spoke all Yahweh's words to the people seeking a king from him.

11He said, "This will be the custom of the king who will reign over you: he will take your sons and station them for his chariots and horsemen, and they will run before his chariots."

12He will appoint them as his commanders of thousands and of fifties, and to plow his fields and reap his harvest, and to make his battle equipment and the equipment for his chariots.

13He will take your daughters to be perfumers, cooks, and bakers.

14He will take your fields, your vineyards, and your best olive groves and give them to his servants.

15He will tithe your seed and your vineyards and give them to his officers and his servants.

16He will take your male servants, your female servants, your choicest young men, and your donkeys, and make them do his work.

17He will tithe your flocks, and you will be his servants.

18You will cry out that day because of your king, whom you have chosen for yourselves, but Yahweh will not answer you in that day.

19But the people refused to listen to Samuel's voice, and they said, "No, but a king shall be over us."

20that we also may be like all the nations, and our king may judge us, go out before us, and fight our battles.

21Samuel heard all that the people said and spoke their words in Yahweh's ears.

22Yahweh said to Samuel, "Listen to their voice and appoint a king for them." Samuel said to the men of Israel, "Each go to his city."