1 Samuel 8:1-10

1Now it came about, when Samuel was old, that 1he appointed his sons as judges over Israel. 2The name of his firstborn was Joel, and the name of his second, Abijah; they were judging in 2Beersheba. 3His sons, however, did not walk in his ways but turned aside after dishonest gain, and they 3took bribes and perverted justice.

4Then all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at 4Ramah; 5and they said to him, “Behold, you have grown old, and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now 5appoint us a king to judge us like all the nations.” 6But the matter was 67displeasing in the sight of Samuel when they said, “Give us a king to judge us.” And 8Samuel prayed to the Lord. 7And the Lord said to Samuel, “Listen to the voice of the people regarding all that they say to you, because 9they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me from being King over them. 8Like all the deeds which they have done since the day that I brought them up from Egypt even to this day--in that they have abandoned Me and served other gods--so they are doing to you as well. 9Now then, listen to their voice; 10however, you shall warn them strongly and tell them of 11the 12practice of the king who will reign over them.”

10So Samuel spoke all the words of the Lord to 13the people who had asked him for a king.