New International Reader's Version

1 Samuel 8:14-21 New International Reader's Version (NIRV)

14. "He will take away your best fields and vineyards and olive groves. He'll give them to his attendants.

15. He will take a tenth of your grain and a tenth of your grapes. He'll give it to his officials and attendants.

16. He will also take your male and female servants. He'll take your best cattle and donkeys. He'll use all of them any way he wants to.

17. "He will take a tenth of your sheep and goats. You yourselves will become his slaves.

18. "When that time comes, you will cry out for help because of the king you have chosen. But the Lord won't answer you at that time."

19. In spite of what Samuel said, the people refused to listen to him. "No!" they said. "We want a king to rule over us.

20. Then we'll be like all of the other nations. We'll have a king to lead us. He'll go out at the head of our armies and fight our battles."

21. Samuel heard everything the people said. He told the Lord about it.