1
When Samuel was old, he made his sons judges for Israel.
2
His first son was named Joel, and his second son was named Abijah. Joel and Abijah were judges in Beersheba.
3
But Samuel's sons did not live as he did. They tried to get money dishonestly, and they accepted money secretly to make wrong judgments.
4
So all the older leaders came together and met Samuel at Ramah.
5
They said to him, "You're old, and your sons don't live as you do. Give us a king to rule over us like all the other nations."
6
When the older leaders said that, Samuel was not pleased. He prayed to the Lord,
7
and the Lord told Samuel, "Listen to whatever the people say to you. They have not rejected you. They have rejected me from being their king.
8
They are doing as they have always done. When I took them out of Egypt, they left me and served other gods. They are doing the same to you.
9
Now listen to the people, but warn them what the king who rules over them will do."
10
So Samuel told those who had asked him for a king what the Lord had said.