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1 Samuel

Tells about Samuel, the last judge, and the beginning of Israel's monarchy with King Saul and young David. ... click to read full summary of this book.

Chapter 8

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And it came to pass, when Samuel was old, that he made his sons judges over Israel.

When Samuel got old, he appointed his sons as judges for Israel.

Now the name of his firstborn was Joel; and the name of his second, Abiah: they were judges in Beersheba.

Now, his first child's name was Joel, then came Abiah as his second. They both became judges in a place called Beersheba.

And his sons walked not in his ways, but turned aside after lucre, and took bribes, and perverted judgment.

His children didn't follow his path; instead, they pursued money, accepted bribes, and corrupted justice.

Then all the elders of Israel gathered themselves together, and came to Samuel unto Ramah,

Then, all the older people of Israel met together and went to Samuel in a place called Ramah.

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.

He said, "Look, you're old, and your children don't follow your ways. So, now make us a king to rule and judge us like all other countries."

But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to judge us. And Samuel prayed unto the LORD.

But Samuel was unhappy when they asked for a king to rule them. So, he talked to God in prayer.

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.

And God told Samuel, Listen to what the people say to you. They haven't rejected you, but they have rejected me, so I can't be their ruler.

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.

Based on all the actions they've done since I took them from Egypt until now, when they turned away from me and worshiped other gods, they will also do to you.

Now therefore hearken unto their voice: howbeit yet protest solemnly unto them, and shew them the manner of the king that shall reign over them.

So now, listen to what they say. But at the same time, seriously tell them about the kind of king who will rule them.

And Samuel told all the words of the LORD unto the people that asked of him a king.

Samuel shared all of God's messages with the people who wanted a king.

And he said, This will be the manner of the king that shall reign over you: He will take your sons, and appoint them for himself, for his chariots, and to be his horsemen; and some shall run before his chariots.

He said, "The future king will do this: He'll choose your sons for himself, using them in his chariots and as horse riders; some will run ahead of his chariots."

And he will appoint him captains over thousands, and captains over fifties; and will set them to ear his ground, and to reap his harvest, and to make his instruments of war, and instruments of his chariots.

He will choose leaders for groups of a thousand and groups of fifty. They will help with farming and harvesting, and they'll create weapons and tools for his chariots.

And he will take your daughters to be confectionaries, and to be cooks, and to be bakers.

And he will teach your girls to make sweets, cook food, and bake bread.

And he will take your fields, and your vineyards, and your oliveyards, even the best of them, and give them to his servants.

He will take your fields, farms, and olive groves, the best ones, and give them to his workers.

And he will take the tenth of your seed, and of your vineyards, and give to his officers, and to his servants.

He will collect 10% of your crops and grape plants, then give it to his helpers and workers.

And he will take your menservants, and your maidservants, and your goodliest young men, and your asses, and put them to his work.

He will also take your servants, female workers, best young men, and donkeys, using them for his tasks.

He will take the tenth of your sheep: and ye shall be his servants.

He will take every tenth sheep from you, and you will become his servants.

And ye shall cry out in that day because of your king which ye shall have chosen you; and the LORD will not hear you in that day.

On that day, you'll shout because of the king you chose; but the Lord won't listen to you then.

Nevertheless the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel; and they said, Nay; but we will have a king over us;

However, the people did not listen to Samuel's message. They replied, "No, we want a king to rule us instead."

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

That we can be like other countries; and our ruler can judge us, lead us, and fight our wars for us.

And Samuel heard all the words of the people, and he rehearsed them in the ears of the LORD.

Samuel listened to everything the people said and then told God about it.

And the LORD said to Samuel, Hearken unto their voice, and make them a king. And Samuel said unto the men of Israel, Go ye every man unto his city.

And God told Samuel, Listen to their request and choose a king for them. Then Samuel told the people of Israel, go back to your towns.

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