I Samuel Chapter 8

I Samuel 8 — English translation

Translation: THE JPS TANAKH: Gender-Sensitive Edition. Verse numbers match the Hebrew text below.

1. 1When Samuel grew old, he appointed his sons judges over Israel.
2. 2The name of his first-born son was Joel, and his second son’s name was Abijah; they sat as judges in Beer-sheba.
3. 3But his sons did not follow in his ways; they were bent on gain, they accepted bribes, and they subverted justice.
4. 4All the elders of Israel assembled and came to Samuel at Ramah,
5. 5and they said to him, “You have grown old, and your sons have not followed your ways. Therefore appoint a king for us, to govern us like all other nations.”
6. 6Samuel was displeased that they said “Give us a king to govern us.” Samuel prayed to G OD ,
7. 7and G OD replied to Samuel, “Heed the demand of the people in everything they say to you. For it is not you that they have rejected; it is Me they have rejected to rule over them.
8. 8Like everything else they have done ever since I brought them out of Egypt to this day—forsaking Me and worshiping other gods—so they are doing to you.
9. 9Heed their demand; but warn them solemnly, and tell them about the practices of any king who will rule over them.”
10. 10Samuel reported all G OD ’s words to the people, who were asking him for a king.
11. 11He said, “This will be the practice of the king who will rule over you: He will take your sons and appoint them as his charioteers and riders, and they will serve as outrunners for his chariots.
12. 12He will appoint them as his chiefs of thousands and of fifties; or they will have to plow his fields, reap his harvest, and make his weapons and the equipment for his chariots.
13. 13He will take your daughters as perfumers, cooks, and bakers.
14. 14He will seize your choice fields, vineyards, and olive groves, and give them to his courtiers.
15. 15He will take a tenth part of your grain and vintage and give it to his eunuchs and courtiers.
16. 16He will take your male and female slaves, your choice young men, and your donkeys, and put them to work for him.
17. 17He will take a tenth part of your flocks, and you shall become his slaves.
18. 18The day will come when you cry out because of the king whom you yourselves have chosen; and G OD will not answer you on that day.”
19. 19But the people would not listen to Samuel’s warning. “No,” they said. “We must have a king over us,
20. 20that we may be like all the other nations: Let our king rule over us and go out at our head and fight our battles.”
21. 21When Samuel heard all that the people said, he reported it to G OD .
22. 22And G OD said to Samuel, “Heed their demands and appoint a king for them.” Samuel then said to the representatives of Israel, “All of you go home.”

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