1 Samuel 8

1When Samuel was old, he made his sons judges over Israel.Cross-references: Deut 16:18 · Judg 5:10 · Judg 8:22 · Judg 10:4 · Judg 12:14 · 2Chr 19:5 · +2 more

2Now the name of his firstborn was Joel, and the name of his second, Abijah. They were judges in Beersheba.Cross-references: Gen 22:19 · 1Ki 19:3 · 1Chr 6:28 · 1Chr 6:38 · Amos 5:5

3His sons didn’t walk in his ways, but turned away after dishonest gain, took bribes, and perverted justice.Cross-references: Ex 18:21 · Ex 23:8 · Deut 16:19 · 2Sam 15:4 · 1Ki 12:6 · 2Ki 21:1 · +7 more

4Then all the elders of Israel gathered themselves together and came to Samuel to Ramah.Cross-references: Ex 3:16 · Ex 24:1 · 1Sam 7:17 · 2Sam 5:3

5They said to him, “Behold, you are old, and your sons don’t walk in your ways. Now make us a king to judge us like all the nations.”Cross-references: Num 23:9 · Deut 17:14 · 1Sam 8:6 · 1Sam 8:19 · 1Sam 12:17 · Hos 13:10 · +1 more

6But the thing displeased Samuel when they said, “Give us a king to judge us.” Samuel prayed to Yahweh.Cross-references: Ex 32:21 · Ex 32:32 · Num 16:15 · Num 16:22 · Num 16:46 · 1Sam 12:17 · +6 more

7Yahweh said to Samuel, “Listen to the voice of the people in all that they tell you; for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected me as the king over them.Cross-references: Ex 16:8 · Num 22:20 · 1Sam 10:19 · 1Sam 12:17 · Ps 81:11 · Isa 66:4 · +8 more

8According to all the works which they have done since the day that I brought them up out of Egypt even to this day, in that they have forsaken me and served other gods, so they also do to you.Cross-references: Ex 14:11 · Ex 16:3 · Ex 17:2 · Ex 32:1 · Num 14:2 · Num 16:2 · +11 more

9Now therefore, listen to their voice. However, you shall protest solemnly to them, and shall show them the way of the king who will reign over them.”Cross-references: 1Sam 2:13 · 1Sam 8:11 · 1Sam 10:25 · 1Sam 14:52 · Ezek 3:18 · Ezek 45:7 · +1 more

10Samuel told all Yahweh’s words to the people who asked him for a king.

11He said, “This will be the way of the king who shall reign over you: he will take your sons and appoint them as his servants, for his chariots and to be his horsemen; and they will run before his chariots.Cross-references: Deut 17:14 · 1Sam 10:25 · 1Sam 14:52 · 2Sam 15:1 · 1Ki 1:5 · 1Ki 9:22 · +5 more

12He will appoint them to him for captains of thousands and captains of fifties; and he will assign some to plow his ground and to reap his harvest; and to make his instruments of war and the instruments of his chariots.Cross-references: 1Sam 22:7 · 1Ki 4:7 · 1Ki 4:22 · 1Ki 4:27 · 1Chr 27:1 · 2Chr 32:28

13He will take your daughters to be perfumers, to be cooks, and to be bakers.

14He will take your fields, your vineyards, and your olive groves, even your best, and give them to his servants.Cross-references: 1Sam 22:7 · 1Ki 21:7 · 1Ki 21:19 · Ezek 46:18

15He will take one tenth of your seed and of your vineyards, and give it to his officers and to his servants.Cross-references: Gen 37:36 · Isa 39:7 · Dan 1:3 · Dan 1:7 · Dan 1:18

16He will take your male servants, your female servants, your best young men, and your donkeys, and assign them to his own work.

17He will take one tenth of your flocks; and you will be his servants.

18You will cry out in that day because of your king whom you will have chosen for yourselves; and Yahweh will not answer you in that day.”Cross-references: Job 27:9 · Ps 18:41 · Prov 1:25 · Prov 21:13 · Isa 1:15 · Isa 8:21 · +2 more

19But the people refused to listen to the voice of Samuel; and they said, “No, but we will have a king over us,Cross-references: Ps 81:11 · Isa 66:4 · Jer 7:13 · Jer 44:16 · Ezek 33:31

20that we also may be like all the nations; and that our king may judge us, and go out before us, and fight our battles.”Cross-references: Ex 33:16 · Lev 20:24 · Num 23:9 · Deut 7:6 · 1Sam 8:5 · Ps 106:35 · +5 more

21Samuel heard all the words of the people, and he rehearsed them in the ears of Yahweh.Cross-references: Judg 11:11

22Yahweh said to Samuel, “Listen to their voice, and make them a king.” Samuel said to the men of Israel, “Everyone go to your own city.”Cross-references: 1Sam 8:7 · Hos 13:11