3
But his sons didn't take after him; they were out for what they could get for themselves, taking bribes, corrupting justice.
4
Fed up, all the elders of Israel got together and confronted Samuel at Ramah.
5
They presented their case: "Look, you're an old man, and your sons aren't following in your footsteps. Here's what we want you to do: Appoint a king to rule us, just like everybody else."
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When Samuel heard their demand - "Give us a king to rule us!" - he was crushed. How awful! Samuel prayed to God.
7
God answered Samuel, "Go ahead and do what they're asking. They are not rejecting you. They've rejected me as their King.
8
From the day I brought them out of Egypt until this very day they've been behaving like this, leaving me for other gods. And now they're doing it to you.
9
So let them have their own way. But warn them of what they're in for. Tell them the way kings operate, just what they're likely to get from a king."
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So Samuel told them, delivered God's warning to the people who were asking him to give them a king.
11
He said, "This is the way the kind of king you're talking about operates. He'll take your sons and make soldiers of them - chariotry, cavalry, infantry,
12
regimented in battalions and squadrons. He'll put some to forced labor on his farms, plowing and harvesting, and others to making either weapons of war or chariots in which he can ride in luxury.
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He'll put your daughters to work as beauticians and waitresses and cooks.