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.”

But when they said, “Give us a king(J) to lead us,” this displeased(K) Samuel; so he prayed to the Lord.

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Footnotes

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

And his sons walked not in his ways, but turned aside after lucre, and took bribes, and perverted judgment.

Then all the elders of Israel gathered themselves together, and came to Samuel unto Ramah,

And said unto him, Behold, thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways: now make us a king to judge us like all the nations.

But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to judge us. And Samuel prayed unto the Lord.

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