1
And it came to pass, when Samuel was old, that he made his sons judges over Israel.
2
Now the name of his first-born was Joel; and the name of his second, Abiah: [they were] judges in Beer-sheba.
3
And his sons walked not in his ways, but turned aside after lucre, and took bribes, and perverted judgment.
4
Then all the elders of Israel assembled, and came to Samuel to Ramah,
5
And said to him, Behold, thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways: now make us a king to judge us like all the nations.
6
But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to judge us: and Samuel prayed to the LORD.
7
And the LORD said to Samuel, Hearken to the voice of the people in all that they say to thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them.
8
According to all the works which they have done since the day that I brought them out of Egypt even to this day, by which they have forsaken me, and served other gods, so do they also to thee.
9
Now therefore hearken to their voice: yet protest solemnly to them, and show them the manner of the king that will reign over them.