Parallel Bible results for "1 samuel 8"

1 Samuel 8

The Message Bible MSG

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.

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.

13 He'll put your daughters to work as beauticians and waitresses and cooks.

14 He'll conscript your best fields, vineyards, and orchards and hand them over to his special friends.

15 He'll tax your harvests and vintage to support his extensive bureaucracy.

16 Your prize workers and best animals he'll take for his own use.

17 He'll lay a tax on your flocks and you'll end up no better than slaves.

18 The day will come when you will cry in desperation because of this king you so much want for yourselves. But don't expect God to answer."

19 But the people wouldn't listen to Samuel. "No!" they said. "We will have a king to rule us!

20 Then we'll be just like all the other nations. Our king will rule us and lead us and fight our battles."

21 Samuel took in what they said and rehearsed it with God.

22 God told Samuel, "Do what they say. Make them a king." Then Samuel dismissed the men of Israel: "Go home, each of you to your own city."

New Century Version NCV

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.

11 Samuel said, "If you have a king ruling over you, this is what he will do: He will take your sons and make them serve with his chariots and his horses, and they will run in front of the king's chariot.

12 The king will make some of your sons commanders over thousands or over fifties. He will make some of your other sons plow his ground and reap his harvest. He will take others to make weapons of war and equipment for his chariots.

13 He will take your daughters to make perfume and cook and bake for him.

14 He will take your best fields, vineyards, and olive groves and give them to his servants.

15 He will take one-tenth of your grain and grapes and give it to his officers and servants.

16 He will take your male and female servants, your best cattle, and your donkeys and use them all for his own work.

17 He will take one-tenth of your flocks, and you yourselves will become his slaves.

18 When that time comes, you will cry out because of the king you chose. But the Lord will not answer you then."

19 But the people would not listen to Samuel. They said, "No! We want a king to rule over us.

20 Then we will be the same as all the other nations. Our king will judge for us and go with us and fight our battles."

21 After Samuel heard all that the people said, he repeated their words to the Lord.

22 The Lord answered, "You must listen to them. Give them a king." Then Samuel told the people of Israel, "Go back to your towns."