1
When Samuel became old, he made his sons judges over Israel.
2
The name of his firstborn son was Joel, and the name of his second, Abijah; they were judges in Beer-sheba.
3
Yet his sons did not follow in his ways, but turned aside after gain; they took bribes and perverted justice.
4
Then all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah,
5
and said to him, "You are old and your sons do not follow in your ways; appoint for us, then, a king to govern us, like other nations."
6
But the thing displeased Samuel when they said, "Give us a king to govern us." Samuel prayed to the Lord,
7
and the Lord said to Samuel, "Listen to the voice of the people in all that they say to you; for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected me from being king over them.
8
Just as they have done to me, from the day I brought them up out of Egypt to this day, forsaking me and serving other gods, so also they are doing to you.
9
Now then, listen to their voice; only—you shall solemnly warn them, and show them the ways of the king who shall reign over them."