1
When Samuel got to be an old man, he set his sons up as judges in Israel.
2
His firstborn son was named Joel, the name of his second, Abijah. They were assigned duty in Beersheba.
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."
6
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."
10
So Samuel told them, delivered God's warning to the people who were asking him to give them a king.