1 And it came to pass when Samuel was old that he made his sons judges over Israel. 2 Now the name of his firstborn was Joel, and the name of his second, Abiah; they were judges in Beersheba. 3 And his sons did not walk in his ways but turned aside after greed, receiving bribes and perverting that which is right.
4 Then all the elders of Israel gathered themselves together and came to Samuel in Ramah 5 and said unto him, Behold, thou art old, and thy sons do not walk in thy ways; therefore make us a king to judge us like all the Gentiles. 6 But the thing displeased Samuel when they said, Give us a king to judge us. And Samuel prayed unto the LORD. 7 And the LORD said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee, for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me that I should not reign over them. 8 According to all the works which they have done since the day that I brought them up out of Egypt even unto this day, with which they have forsaken me and served other gods, so they also do unto thee. 9 Now, therefore, hearken unto their voice; however first protest solemnly against them by declaring unto them the rights of the king that shall reign over them.