1 Samuel 8
8
Israel Demands a King
1Now when Samuel grew old, he appointed his sons as judges over Israel.
2The name of his firstborn was Joel and the name of his second Abijah—they were judges in Beersheba.
3His sons, however, did not walk in his ways, but turned aside after dishonest gain—they took bribes and perverted justice.
4Then all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah,
5and said to him, “Behold, you have grown old and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now appoint for us a king to judge us—like all the nations.”
6But the matter was displeasing in Samuel’s eyes when they said, “Give us a king to judge us.” So Samuel prayed to Adonai.
7Then Adonai said to Samuel, “Listen to the voice of the people in all that they say to you. For they have not rejected you, rather they have rejected Me from being king over them.
8Like all the deeds that they have done since the day I brought them out of Egypt to this day—forsaking Me and worshiping other gods—so they are doing to you also.
9So now, listen to their voice. However, you must earnestly forewarn them, and declare to them the rulings of the king who will reign over them.”
10Now Samuel reported all the words of Adonai to the people who were asking him for a king.
11“This will be the practice of the king that will reign over you,” he said. “He will draft your sons and assign them as his charioteers and horsemen, and they will run before his chariots.
12He will appoint them as commanders of thousands and captains of fifties, also some to plow his fields, reap his harvest, make his weapons of war and the equipment for his chariots.
13Also he will take your daughters to be perfumers, cooks and bakers.
14He will seize the best of your fields, vineyards and olive groves, and give them to his courtiers.
15He will take a tenth of your grain and your vintage and give it to his officials and slaves.
16He will also take your male and female servants, your best young men and your donkeys and make them do his work.
17He will also take the tenth of your flocks. Then you yourselves will become his slaves.
18When the day comes and you cry out because of your king, whom you have chosen for yourselves, Adonai will not answer you on that day.”
19But the people refused to listen to Samuel, and they said, “No! But a king should be over us!
20So we may become like all the nations—having our king who will judge us, go out before us and fight our battles.”
21After Samuel heard all the words of the people, he reported them back in the hearing of Adonai.
22Adonai said to Samuel, “Listen to their voice and appoint a king to reign for them.” So Samuel said to the men of Israel, “Go, each one to his town.”
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1 Samuel 8: TLV
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Copyright © 2014 - Messianic Jewish Family Bible Society
1 Samuel 8
8
Israel Asks for a King
1When Samuel was old, he appointed his sons to be judges for Israel. 2Samuel’s first son was named Joel. His second son was named Abijah. Joel and Abijah were judges in Beersheba. 3But Samuel’s sons did not live the same way he did. Joel and Abijah accepted bribes. They took money secretly and changed their decisions in court. They cheated people in court. 4So all the elders of Israel met together and went to Ramah to meet with Samuel. 5The elders said to Samuel, “You’re old, and your sons don’t live right. They are not like you. Now, give us a king to rule us like all the other nations.”
6So the elders asked for a king to lead them. Samuel thought this was a bad idea, so he prayed to the Lord. 7The Lord told Samuel, “Do what the people tell you. They have not rejected you. They have rejected me. They don’t want me to be their king. 8They are doing the same thing they have always done. I took them out of Egypt, but they left me and served other gods. They are doing the same to you. 9So listen to the people and do what they say. But give them a warning. Tell the people what a king will do to them. Tell them how a king rules people.”
10Those people asked for a king. So Samuel told them everything the Lord said. 11Samuel said, “If you have a king ruling over you, this is what he will do: He will take away your sons and force them to serve him. He will force them to be soldiers—they must fight from his chariots and become horse soldiers in his army. Your sons will become guards running in front of the king’s chariot.
12“A king will force your sons to become soldiers. He will choose which of your sons will be officers over 1000 men and which will be officers over 50 men.
“A king will force some of your sons to plow his fields and gather his harvest. He will force some of your sons to make weapons for war and to make things for his chariots.
13“A king will take your daughters and force some of them to make perfume for him and some to cook and bake for him.
14“A king will take your best fields, vineyards, and olive groves. He will take them from you and give them to his officers. 15He will take one-tenth of your grain and grapes, and he will give them to his officers and servants.
16“A king will take your men and women servants. He will take your best cattle#8:16 cattle This is from the ancient Greek version. The standard Hebrew text has “young men.” and your donkeys. He will use them all for his own work. 17He will take one-tenth of your flocks.
“And you yourselves will become slaves of this king. 18When that time comes, you will cry because of the king you chose. But the Lord won’t answer you at that time.”
19But the people would not listen to Samuel. They said, “No, we want a king to rule over us. 20Then we will be the same as all the other nations. Our king will lead us. He will go before us and fight our battles.”
21Samuel listened to the people and then repeated their words to the Lord. 22The Lord answered, “Listen to them and give them a king.”
Then Samuel told the Israelites, “You will have a king. Now go home.”
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