However, his sons did not walk in his ways—they turned toward dishonest profit, took bribes, and perverted justice.(A)

So all the elders of Israel gathered together and went to Samuel at Ramah.(B) They said to him, “Look, you are old, and your sons do not walk in your ways. Therefore, appoint a king to judge us the same as all the other nations have.”(C)

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But his sons(A) did not follow his ways. They turned aside(B) after dishonest gain and accepted bribes(C) and perverted(D) justice.

So all the elders(E) of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah.(F) They said to him, “You are old, and your sons do not follow your ways; now appoint a king(G) to lead[a](H) us, such as all the other nations(I) have.”

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Samuel 8:5 Traditionally judge; also in verses 6 and 20

38 “‘After that, if you obey all I command you, walk in my ways, and do what is right in my sight in order to keep my statutes and my commands as my servant David did, I will be with you.(A) I will build you a lasting dynasty just as I built for David,(B) and I will give you Israel.

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38 If you do whatever I command you and walk in obedience to me and do what is right(A) in my eyes by obeying my decrees(B) and commands, as David my servant did, I will be with you. I will build you a dynasty(C) as enduring as the one I built for David and will give Israel to you.

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