English Standard Version ESV
New International Version NIV
1 When Samuel became old, he made his sons judges over Israel.
1
When Samuel grew old, he appointed his sons as Israel’s leaders.
2 The name of his firstborn son was Joel, and the name of his second, Abijah; they were judges in Beersheba.
2
The name of his firstborn was Joel and the name of his second was Abijah, and they served at Beersheba.
3 Yet his sons did not walk in his ways but turned aside after gain. They took bribes and perverted justice.
3
But his sons did not follow his ways. They turned aside after dishonest gain and accepted bribes and perverted justice.
4 Then all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah
4
So all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah.
5 and said to him, “Behold, you are old and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now appoint for us a king to judge us like all the nations. ”
5
They said to him, “You are old, and your sons do not follow your ways; now appoint a king to lead us, such as all the other nations have.”
6 But the thing displeased Samuel when they said, “Give us a king to judge us. ” And Samuel prayed to the Lord.
6
But when they said, “Give us a king to lead us,” this displeased Samuel; so he prayed to the LORD.
7 And the Lord said to Samuel, “Obey the voice of the people in all that they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected me from being king over them.
7
And the LORD told him: “Listen to all that the people are saying to you; it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king.
8 According to all the deeds that they have done, from the day I brought them up out of Egypt even to this day, forsaking me and serving other gods, so they are also doing to you.
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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.
9 Now then, obey their voice; only you shall solemnly warn them and show them the ways of the king who shall reign over them. ”
9
Now listen to them; but warn them solemnly and let them know what the king who will reign over them will claim as his rights.”
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®) © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. All rights reserved. ESV Text Edition: 2025
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.