| Berean Study Bible | NET Bible |
| 1When Samuel grew old, he appointed his sons as judges over Israel. | 1In his old age Samuel appointed his sons as judges over Israel. |
| 2The name of his firstborn son was Joel, and the name of his second was Abijah. They were judges in Beersheba. | 2The name of his firstborn son was Joel, and the name of his second son was Abijah. They were judges in Beer Sheba. |
| 3But his sons did not walk in his ways; they turned aside toward dishonest gain, accepting bribes and perverting justice. | 3But his sons did not follow his ways. Instead, they made money dishonestly, accepted bribes, and perverted justice. |
| 4So all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah. | 4So all the elders of Israel gathered together and approached Samuel at Ramah. |
| 5“Look,” they said, “you are old, and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now appoint a king to judge us like all the other nations.” | 5They said to him, "Look, you are old, and your sons don't follow your ways. So now appoint over us a king to lead us, just like all the other nations have." |
| 6But when they said, “Give us a king to judge us,” their demand was displeasing in the sight of Samuel; so he prayed to the LORD. | 6But this request displeased Samuel, for they said, "Give us a king to lead us." So Samuel prayed to the LORD. |
| 7And the LORD said to Samuel, “Listen to the voice of the people in all that they say to you. For it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected Me as their king. | 7The LORD said to Samuel, "Do everything the people request of you. For it is not you that they have rejected, but it is me that they have rejected as their king. |
| 8Just as they have done from the day I brought them up out of Egypt until this day, forsaking Me and serving other gods, so they are doing to you. | 8Just as they have done from the day that I brought them up from Egypt until this very day, they have rejected me and have served other gods. This is what they are also doing to you. |
| 9Now listen to them, but you must solemnly warn them and show them the manner of the king who will reign over them.” | 9So now do as they say. But seriously warn them and make them aware of the policies of the king who will rule over them." |
| 10So Samuel spoke all the words of the LORD to the people who were asking him for a king. | 10So Samuel spoke all the words of the LORD to the people who were asking him for a king. |
| 11He said, “This will be the manner of the king who will reign over you: He will take your sons and appoint them to his own chariots and horses, to run in front of his chariots. | 11He said, "Here are the policies of the king who will rule over you: He will conscript your sons and put them in his chariot forces and in his cavalry; they will run in front of his chariot. |
| 12He will appoint some for himself as commanders of thousands and of fifties, and others to plow his ground, to reap his harvest, to make his weapons of war, and to equip his chariots. | 12He will appoint for himself leaders of thousands and leaders of fifties, as well as those who plow his ground, reap his harvest, and make his weapons of war and his chariot equipment. |
| 13And he will take your daughters to be perfumers, cooks, and bakers. | 13He will take your daughters to be ointment makers, cooks, and bakers. |
| 14He will take the best of your fields and vineyards and olive groves and give them to his servants. | 14He will take your best fields and vineyards and give them to his own servants. |
| 15He will take a tenth of your grain and grape harvest and give it to his officials and servants. | 15He will demand a tenth of your seed and of the produce of your vineyards and give it to his administrators and his servants. |
| 16And he will take your menservants and maidservants and your best cattle and donkeys and put them to his own use. | 16He will take your male and female servants, as well as your best cattle and your donkeys, and assign them for his own use. |
| 17He will take a tenth of your flocks, and you yourselves will become his slaves. | 17He will demand a tenth of your flocks, and you yourselves will be his servants. |
| 18When that day comes, you will beg for relief from the king you have chosen, but the LORD will not answer you on that day.” | 18In that day you will cry out because of your king whom you have chosen for yourselves, but the LORD won't answer you in that day." |
| 19Nevertheless, the people refused to listen to Samuel. “No!” they said. “We must have a king over us. | 19But the people refused to heed Samuel's warning. Instead they said, "No! There will be a king over us! |
| 20Then we will be like all the other nations, with a king to judge us, to go out before us, and to fight our battles.” | 20We will be like all the other nations. Our king will judge us and lead us and fight our battles." |
| 21Samuel listened to all the words of the people and repeated them in the hearing of the LORD. | 21So Samuel listened to everything the people said and then reported it to the LORD. |
| 22“Listen to their voice,” the LORD said to Samuel. “Appoint a king for them.” Then Samuel told the men of Israel, “Everyone must go back to his city.” | 22The LORD said to Samuel, "Do as they say and install a king over them." Then Samuel said to the men of Israel, "Each of you go back to his own city." |
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