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1 Samuel / Israel Demands a King
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Hannah's Prayer for a Son Hannah Presents Samuel to the Lord Hannah's Song of Praise Eli's Corrupt Sons and Samuel's Childhood Prophecy of Judgment on Eli's House Samuel's Call and the Lord's Word to Eli Israel Defeated and the Ark Captured Eli's Death and the Birth of Ichabod The Ark Brings Judgment in Philistine Cities The Ark Returned to Israel Samuel Judges Israel and Delivers Them at Mizpah Israel Demands a King Saul Chosen and Given Signs Saul Proclaimed King by Lot Saul's Victory at Jabesh-Gilead Saul Confirmed as King at Gilgal Samuel's Farewell and Exhortation to Israel Saul's Unauthorized Sacrifice and Rebuke Philistine Pressure and Israel's Lack of Arms Jonathan's Bold Assault and Victory Saul's Rash Oath and Its Consequences Saul's Pursuit and Jonathan's Exploits Saul's Family and Mighty Men Saul's Disobedience and Rejection as King David Anointed by Samuel David Serves Saul and Eases His Torment David and Goliath David's Rise and Saul's Jealousy Saul's Attempts on David's Life and Jonathan's Intervention David and Jonathan's Covenant David at Nob: Bread and Goliath's Sword David Feigns Madness at Gath David Gathers Followers and Seeks Priestly Aid Massacre at Nob and Abiathar Joins David David Delivers Keilah and Inquires of God Saul's Pursuit, Ziphite Betrayal, and David's Escape David Spares Saul in a Cave Nabal's Folly and Abigail's Intervention David Again Spares Saul in His Camp David Seeks Refuge with Achish Saul and the Witch of Endor The Philistines Reject David David Recovers His Family and Defeats the Amalekites The Death of Saul and His Sons

Israel Demands a King

1 Samuel 8:1-22

8
Chapter 8
1 When Shemuel had grown old, he set his sons as judges for Israel. 2 His firstborn son was Joel, and the name of his second was Abijah; they were judges in Beersheba. 3 But his sons did not walk in his ways. They turned after gain, took bribes, and turned justice aside. 4 All the elders of Israel assembled and came to Samuel at Ramah. 5 And they said to him, "You have grown old, and your sons have not walked in your ways. Now appoint a king for us to judge us like all the nations." 6 And the thing was evil in Samuel's eyes when they said, "Give us a king to judge us." So Samuel prayed to the LORD. 7 The LORD said to Shemuel, "Hear the voice of the people in all that they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected me from reigning over them." 8 According to all the deeds they did from the day I brought them up from Egypt until this day—they have forsaken me and served other gods, so they are doing to you also. 9 Now hear their voice. But surely testify against them and tell them the legal requirements of the king who will reign over them. 10 And Shemuel told all the words of the LORD to the people who were asking him for a king. 11 And he said, "This will be the judgment of the king who will reign over you: he will take your sons and set them for himself in his chariots and his horsemen, and they will run before his chariots." 12 and to appoint for himself rulers of thousands and rulers of fifties, and to plow his plowing and reap his harvest, and to make his weapons of war and vessels of his chariots. 13 And he will take your daughters as perfumers, cooks, and bakers. 14 He will take your best fields, vineyards, and olive trees and give them to his servants. 15 He will tithe your grain and your vineyards and give it to his eunuchs and servants. 16 He will take your servants and your maidservants and your good young men and your donkeys and use them for his work. 17 It will take your fattened sheep, and you will be his slaves. 18 And you will cry out on that day because of your king whom you chose for yourselves, but the LORD will not answer you on that day. 19 But the people refused to obey Samuel. They said, "No, but a king shall be over us." 20 And we will be like all the nations also, and our king will judge us, and he will go out before us and fight our battles. 21 And Samuel heard all the words of the people and repeated them to the LORD. 22 And the LORD said to Samuel, "Listen to their voice and appoint a king for them." And Samuel said to the men of Israel, "Go, each man to his city."