New International Reader's Version

1 Samuel 8:8-12 New International Reader's Version (NIRV)

8. They are doing just as they have always done. They have deserted me and served other gods. They have done that from the time I brought them up out of Egypt until this very day. Now they are deserting you too.

9. "Let them have what they want. But give them a strong warning. Let them know what the king who rules over them will do."

10. Samuel told the people who were asking him for a king everything the Lord had said.

11. Samuel told them, "Here's what the king who rules over you will do. He will take your sons. He'll make them serve with his chariots and horses. They will run in front of his chariots.

12. He'll choose some of your sons to be commanders of thousands of men. Some will be commanders of fifties. Others will have to plow his fields and gather his crops. Still others will have to make weapons of war and parts for his chariots.