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.
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Now listen to the people, but warn them what the king who rules over them will do."
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So Samuel told those who had asked him for a king what the Lord had said.
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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.
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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.
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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.