Study Desk

Now it came about, when Samuel was old, that he appointed his sons as judges over Israel.

And it came to pass, when Samuel was old, that he made his sons judges over Israel.

The name of his firstborn was Joel, and the name of his second, Abijah; they were judging in Beersheba.

Now the name of his firstborn was Joel; and the name of his second, Abiah: they were judges in Beersheba.

His sons, however, did not walk in his ways but turned aside after dishonest gain, and they took bribes and perverted justice.

And his sons walked not in his ways, but turned aside after lucre, and took bribes, and perverted judgment.

Then all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah;

Then all the elders of Israel gathered themselves together, and came to Samuel unto Ramah,

and they said to him, "Behold, you have grown old, and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now appoint us a king to judge us like all the nations."

And said unto him, Behold, thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways: now make us a king to judge us like all the nations.

But the matter was displeasing in the sight of Samuel when they said, "Give us a king to judge us." And Samuel prayed to the LORD.

But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to judge us. And Samuel prayed unto the Lord .

And the LORD said to Samuel, "Listen to the voice of the people regarding all that they say to you, because they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me from being King over them.

And the Lord said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them.

"Like 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.

According to all the works which they have done since the day that I brought them up out of Egypt even unto this day, wherewith they have forsaken me, and served other gods, so do they also unto thee.

"Now then, listen to their voice; however, you shall warn them strongly and tell them of the practice of the king who will reign over them."

Now therefore hearken unto their voice: howbeit yet protest solemnly unto them, and shew them the manner of the king that shall reign over them.