Thematic Bible




1 Samuel 8:1 (show verse)

When Samuel became old, he appointed his sons judges over Israel.

1 Samuel 8:2 (show verse)

The name of his firstborn son was Joel and the name of his second was Abijah. They were judges in Beer-sheba.

1 Samuel 8:3 (show verse)

His sons did not follow Samuel's example. Instead, they pursued dishonest gain, took bribes, and perverted justice.

1 Samuel 8:4 (show verse)

All the elders of Israel gathered together, and came to Samuel at Ramah.

1 Samuel 8:5 (show verse)

They told him, "Look, you're old, and your sons don't follow your example. So appoint a king to govern us like all the other nations."

1 Samuel 8:6 (show verse)

Samuel was displeased when they said, "Give us a king to govern us." So Samuel prayed to the LORD.

1 Samuel 8:7 (show verse)

The LORD told Samuel, "Listen to the people in all that they say to you. In fact, it's not you they have rejected, but rather they have rejected me from being their king.

1 Samuel 8:8 (show verse)

Like all the things they have done from the day I brought them up out of Egypt until this very day, they have forsaken me and followed other gods. They're also doing the same thing to you.

1 Samuel 8:9 (show verse)

Now, listen to them, but you are to clearly warn them and inform them about how the king who rules over them will operate."

1 Samuel 8:10 (show verse)

Samuel reported everything the LORD told him to the people who were asking him for a king.

1 Samuel 8:11 (show verse)

He said, "This is how the king who rules over you will operate: He will conscript your sons and assign them to his chariots. He will conscript them as his horsemen, and they'll run in front of his chariots.

1 Samuel 8:12 (show verse)

He will appoint his officers over thousands and officers over fifties some will plow his fields, reap his harvest, and craft his war implements and equipment for his chariots.

1 Samuel 8:13 (show verse)

He will take your daughters for perfumers, cooks, and bakers.

1 Samuel 8:14 (show verse)

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

1 Samuel 8:15 (show verse)

He will take a tenth of your seed and your vineyards and give it to his officers and servants.

1 Samuel 8:16 (show verse)

He will take your male and female servants, your best young men, and your donkeys to do his work.

1 Samuel 8:17 (show verse)

He will take a tenth of your flock, and you will become his servants.

1 Samuel 8:18 (show verse)

When all of this comes about, you will cry out because of your king whom you chose for yourselves, but the LORD won't answer you at that time."

1 Samuel 8:19 (show verse)

The people refused to listen to Samuel. Instead, they insisted, "No! Let a king rule over us instead!

1 Samuel 8:20 (show verse)

We, too, will be like all the nations! Our king will govern us and go out before us to fight our battles."

1 Samuel 8:21 (show verse)

So Samuel listened to all the words of the people, and he repeated them directly to the LORD.

1 Samuel 8:22 (show verse)

The LORD told Samuel, "Listen to them, and appoint a king for them." Then Samuel told the men of Israel, "Each of you go to his own town."