[1] In his old age, Samuel retired and appointed his sons as judges in his place. [2] Joel and Abijah, his oldest sons, held court in Beersheba; [3] but they were not like their father, for they were greedy for money. They accepted bribes and were very corrupt in the administration of justice. [4] Finally the leaders of Israel met in Ramah to discuss the matter with Samuel. [5] They told him that since his retirement things hadn't been the same, for his sons were not good men. "Give us a king like all the other nations have," they pleaded. [6] Samuel was terribly upset and went to the Lord for advice. [7] "Do as they say," the Lord replied, "for I am the one they are rejecting, not you-they don't want me to be their king any longer. [8] Ever since I brought them from Egypt they have continually forsaken me and followed other gods. And now they are giving you the same treatment. [9] Do as they ask, but warn them about what it will be like to have a king!" [10] So Samuel told the people what the Lord had said: [11] "If you insist on having a king, he will conscript your sons and make them run before his chariots; [12] some will be made to lead his troops into battle, while others will be slave laborers; they will be forced to plow in the royal fields and harvest his crops without pay, and make his weapons and chariot equipment. [13] He will take your daughters from you and force them to cook and bake and make perfumes for him. [14] He will take away the best of your fields and vineyards and olive groves and give them to his friends. [15] He will take a tenth of your harvest and distribute it to his favorites. [16] He will demand your slaves and the finest of your youth and will use your animals for his personal gain. [17] He will demand a tenth of your flocks, and you shall be his slaves. [18] You will shed bitter tears because of this king you are demanding, but the Lord will not help you." [19] But the people refused to listen to Samuel's warning. "Even so, we still want a king," they said, [20] "for we want to be like the nations around us. He will govern us and lead us to battle." [21] So Samuel told the Lord what the people had said, [22] and the Lord replied again, "Then do as they say and give them a king." So Samuel agreed and sent the men home again.
