1 Samuel 8:1-22 GW

[1] When Samuel was old, he made his sons judges over Israel. [2] The name of his firstborn son was Joel; the name of his second son was Abijah. They were judges in Beersheba. [3] The sons didn't follow their father's example but turned to dishonest ways of making money. They took bribes and denied people justice. [4] Then all the leaders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah. [5] They told him, "You're old, and your sons aren't following your example. Now appoint a king to judge us so that we will be like all the other nations." [6] But Samuel considered it wrong for them to request a king to judge them. So Samuel prayed to the LORD. [7] The LORD told Samuel, "Listen to everything the people are saying to you. They haven't rejected you; they've rejected me. [8] They're doing just what they've done since I took them out of Egypt-leaving me and serving other gods. [9] Listen to them now, but be sure to warn them and tell them about the rights of a king." [10] Then Samuel told the people who had asked him for a king everything the LORD had said. [11] Samuel said, "These are the rights of a king: He will draft your sons, make them serve on his chariots and horses, and make them run ahead of his chariots. [12] He will appoint them to be his officers over 1,000 or over 50 soldiers, to plow his ground and harvest his crops, and to make weapons and equipment for his chariots. [13] He will take your daughters and have them make perfumes, cook, and bake. [14] He will take the best of your fields, vineyards, and olive orchards and give them to his officials. [15] He will take a tenth of your grain and wine and give it to his aids and officials. [16] He will take your male and female slaves, your best cattle, and your donkeys for his own use. [17] He will take a tenth of your flocks. In addition, you will be his servants. [18] "When that day comes, you will cry out because of the king whom you have chosen for yourselves. The LORD will not answer you when that day comes." [19] But the people refused to listen to Samuel. They said, "No, we want a king! [20] Then we, too, will be like all the other nations. Our king will judge us, lead us out to war, and fight our battles." [21] When Samuel heard everything the people had to say, he reported it privately to the LORD. [22] The LORD told him, "Listen to them, and give them a king." Then Samuel told the people of Israel, "Go back to your own cities."