1. WHEN SAMUEL was old, he made his sons judges over Israel.
2. Now the name of his firstborn was Joel and the name of his second, Abijah. They were judges in Beersheba.
3. His sons did not walk in his ways, but turned aside after gain, took bribes, and perverted justice.
4. All the elders of Israel assembled and came to Samuel at Ramah
5. And said to him, Behold, you are old, and your sons do not walk in your ways; now appoint us a king to rule over us like all the other nations.
6. But it displeased Samuel when they said, Give us a king to govern us. And Samuel prayed to the Lord.
7. And the Lord said to Samuel, Hearken to the voice of the people in all they say to you; for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me, that I should not be King over them.
8. According to all the works which they have done since I brought them up out of Egypt even to this day, forsaking Me and serving other gods, so they also do to you.
9. So listen now to their voice; only solemnly warn them and show them the ways of the king who shall reign over them.
10. So Samuel told all the words of the Lord to the people who asked of him a king.