1When Samuel got to be an old man, he set his sons up as judges in Israel.
2His firstborn son was named Joel, the name of his second, Abijah. They were assigned duty in Beersheba.
3But his sons didn't take after him; they were out for what they could get for themselves, taking bribes, corrupting justice.
4Fed up, all the elders of Israel got together and confronted Samuel at Ramah.
5They presented their case: "Look, you're an old man, and your sons aren't following in your footsteps. Here's what we want you to do: Appoint a king to rule us, just like everybody else."
6When Samuel heard their demand—"Give us a king to rule us!"—he was crushed. How awful! Samuel prayed to God.
7God answered Samuel, "Go ahead and do what they're asking. They are not rejecting you. They've rejected me as their King.
8From the day I brought them out of Egypt until this very day they've been behaving like this, leaving me for other gods. And now they're doing it to you.
9So let them have their own way. But warn them of what they're in for. Tell them the way kings operate, just what they're likely to get from a king."
10So Samuel told them, delivered God's warning to the people who were asking him to give them a king.
11He said, "This is the way the kind of king you're talking about operates. He'll take your sons and make soldiers of them—chariotry, cavalry, infantry,
12regimented in battalions and squadrons. He'll put some to forced labor on his farms, plowing and harvesting, and others to making either weapons of war or chariots in which he can ride in luxury.
13He'll put your daughters to work as beauticians and waitresses and cooks.
14He'll conscript your best fields, vineyards, and orchards and hand them over to his special friends.
15He'll tax your harvests and vintage to support his extensive bureaucracy.
16Your prize workers and best animals he'll take for his own use.
17He'll lay a tax on your flocks and you'll end up no better than slaves.
18The day will come when you will cry in desperation because of this king you so much want for yourselves. But don't expect God to answer."
19But the people wouldn't listen to Samuel. "No!" they said. "We will have a king to rule us!
20Then we'll be just like all the other nations. Our king will rule us and lead us and fight our battles."
21Samuel took in what they said and rehearsed it with God.
22God told Samuel, "Do what they say. Make them a king." Then Samuel dismissed the men of Israel: "Go home, each of you to your own city."