9. So listen to the people and do what they say. But give them a warning. Tell the people what a king will do to them. Tell them how a king rules people.”
10. Those people asked for a king. So Samuel told them everything the Lord said.
11. Samuel said, “If you have a king ruling over you, this is what he will do: He will take away your sons and force them to serve him. He will force them to be soldiers—they must fight from his chariots and become horse soldiers in his army. Your sons will become guards running in front of the king’s chariot.
12. “A king will force your sons to become soldiers. He will choose which of your sons will be officers over 1000 men and which will be officers over 50 men. “A king will force some of your sons to plow his fields and gather his harvest. He will force some of your sons to make weapons for war and to make things for his chariots.
13. “A king will take your daughters and force some of them to make perfume for him and some to cook and bake for him.
14. “A king will take your best fields, vineyards, and olive groves. He will take them from you and give them to his officers.
15. He will take one-tenth of your grain and grapes, and he will give them to his officers and servants.
16. “A king will take your men and women servants. He will take your best cattle and your donkeys. He will use them all for his own work.
17. He will take one-tenth of your flocks. “And you yourselves will become slaves of this king.
18. When that time comes, you will cry because of the king you chose. But the Lord won’t answer you at that time.”
19. But the people would not listen to Samuel. They said, “No, we want a king to rule over us.
20. Then we will be the same as all the other nations. Our king will lead us. He will go before us and fight our battles.”
21. Samuel listened to the people and then repeated their words to the Lord.
22. The Lord answered, “Listen to them and give them a king.” Then Samuel told the Israelites, “You will have a king. Now go home.”