1 When Samuel {shemuel: God Hears} had become old, he set his sons as judges {shofet: Judicial Leaders} for Israel.
2 His firstborn {bekhor: birthright heir} was named Joel, and his second was Abijah; both served as judges {shofetim: legal adjudicators} in Beersheba.
3 But his sons did not walk in his ways; rather, they turned aside after unjust gain {batsa: greedy profit}, took bribes, and perverted justice {mishpat: rightful order}.
4 Then all the elders of Israel assembled {vayitqabbetsu: assembled in unity} and went to Samuel in Ramah {ha-ramata: high place}.
5 And they said to him, “See, you are old, and your sons have not walked in your ways; now appoint for us a king {melekh: national monarch} to judge us {leshofteinu: administer justice} like all the nations.”
6 Samuel was displeased {vayera: strong disapproval} when they said, “Give us a king to judge us,” and he prayed to the LORD {YHWH, Covenant Judge}.
7 And the LORD {YHWH, Divine Judge} said to Samuel, “Do what the people say in all that they tell you, for it is not you they have rejected; they have rejected {maʾasu: decisively turned away} Me from ruling over them.”
8 It is in line with all the deeds they have done since the day I brought them up from Egypt {Mitzrayim: land of bondage} until this day—forsaking Me {YHWH, Covenant Lord} and serving other gods—so they are doing the same to you.
9 Now then, listen to their voice; however, you must solemnly warn {taʿid: intensive caution} them and tell them the rule {mishpat: authoritative decree} of the king who will reign over them.
10 Samuel proclaimed every utterance of the LORD {YHWH, Divine Speaker} to the people {am: national community} who had asked him to install a king over them.
11 And he said, “This shall be the judgment {mishpat: royal decree} of the king {melekh: sovereign ruler} who shall reign over you: he will take your sons and appoint them to serve in his chariots and his horsemen, and they will run before his chariot.”
12 He will appoint for himself commanders of thousands and commanders of fifties, assign some to plow his fields and gather his harvest, and make weapons for his war {milchamah: battle conflict} and fittings for his chariots {rekhev: royal vehicle}.
13 He will take your daughters {banot: female descendants} and assign them to be perfumers {rakkachot: scent mixers}, cooks, and bakers.
14 He will confiscate your fields {s'doteikhem: cultivated land} and vineyards {karmeikhem: grape plantations}, along with the choicest olive groves, and he will assign them to his servants.
15 He will take a tenth {yaesor: mandated portion} of your seed and of your vineyards, and he will give it to his officials and to his servants {evedim: bonded laborers}.
16 He will conscript your male servants and your female servants, the choicest of your young men {bachureikhem: selected youth}, and your donkeys, assigning them to his labor {melakhah: assigned task}.
17 He will exact a tenth from your flocks {tsonkhem: small livestock} and you will become his slaves {avadim: lifelong servants}.
18 And you will cry out on that day because of your king whom you have chosen for yourselves, but the LORD {YHWH, Righteous Judge} will not answer you on that day {yom: appointed time}.
19 But the people {haam: assembled community} refused to listen to the voice of Samuel, and they said, “No, for a king {melekh: royal authority} will be over us.”
20 Then we too will be like all the nations, and our king {malkeinu: royal authority} will judge us, go out before us, and fight our battles {milchamotenu: military campaigns}.
21 Samuel heard all the words of the people and repeated {vayedabberem: direct relay} them in the ears of the LORD {YHWH, Divine Hearer}.
22 And the LORD {YHWH, Sovereign King} said to Samuel, “Attend to their plea {qolam: collective petition}, and you shall establish a king for them.” Then Samuel said to the men of Israel, “Return, each of you, to your own city.”