New English Translation

1 Samuel 8:6-15 New English Translation (NET)

6. But this request displeased Samuel, for they said, “Give us a king to lead us.” So Samuel prayed to the Lord.

7. The Lord said to Samuel, “Do everything the people request of you. For it is not you that they have rejected, but it is me that they have rejected as their king.

8. Just as they have done from the day that I brought them up from Egypt until this very day, they have rejected me and have served other gods. This is what they are also doing to you.

9. So now do as they say. But seriously warn them and make them aware of the policies of the king who will rule over them.”

10. So Samuel spoke all the words of the Lord to the people who were asking him for a king.

11. He said, “Here are the policies of the king who will rule over you: He will conscript your sons and put them in his chariot forces and in his cavalry; they will run in front of his chariot.

12. He will appoint for himself leaders of thousands and leaders of fifties, as well as those who plow his ground, reap his harvest, and make his weapons of war and his chariot equipment.

13. He will take your daughters to be ointment makers, cooks, and bakers.

14. He will take your best fields and vineyards and give them to his own servants.

15. He will demand a tenth of your seed and of the produce of your vineyards and give it to his administrators and his servants.