---
title: "1 Samuel 8 — World English Bible | Favorite Scriptures"
description: "Read 1 Samuel 8 in the World English Bible. Free Bible reading, no account needed. Browse books and chapters, then save favorite passages in your personal library."
last_updated: "2026-10-08"
doc_version: "1"
language: "en"
canonical: "https://favoritescriptures.com/bible/1-samuel/8"
---

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World English Bible

# 1 Samuel 8

[1](#verse-1) When Samuel was old, he made his sons judges over Israel.

[2](#verse-2) Now the name of his firstborn was Joel, and the name of his second, Abijah. They were judges in Beersheba.

[3](#verse-3) His sons didn’t walk in his ways, but turned away after dishonest gain, took bribes, and perverted justice.

[4](#verse-4) Then all the elders of Israel gathered themselves together and came to Samuel to Ramah.

[5](#verse-5) They said to him, “Behold, you are old, and your sons don’t walk in your ways. Now make us a king to judge us like all the nations.”

[6](#verse-6) But the thing displeased Samuel when they said, “Give us a king to judge us.” Samuel prayed to the LORD.

[7](#verse-7) The LORD said to Samuel, “Listen to the voice of the people in all that they tell you; for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected me as the king over them.

[8](#verse-8) According to all the works which they have done since the day that I brought them up out of Egypt even to this day, in that they have forsaken me and served other gods, so they also do to you.

[9](#verse-9) Now therefore, listen to their voice. However, you shall protest solemnly to them, and shall show them the way of the king who will reign over them.”

[10](#verse-10) Samuel told all the LORD’s words to the people who asked him for a king.

[11](#verse-11) He said, “This will be the way of the king who shall reign over you: he will take your sons and appoint them as his servants, for his chariots and to be his horsemen; and they will run before his chariots.

[12](#verse-12) He will appoint them to him for captains of thousands and captains of fifties; and he will assign some to plow his ground and to reap his harvest; and to make his instruments of war and the instruments of his chariots.

[13](#verse-13) He will take your daughters to be perfumers, to be cooks, and to be bakers.

[14](#verse-14) He will take your fields, your vineyards, and your olive groves, even your best, and give them to his servants.

[15](#verse-15) He will take one tenth of your seed and of your vineyards, and give it to his officers and to his servants.

[16](#verse-16) He will take your male servants, your female servants, your best young men, and your donkeys, and assign them to his own work.

[17](#verse-17) He will take one tenth of your flocks; and you will be his servants.

[18](#verse-18) You will cry out in that day because of your king whom you will have chosen for yourselves; and the LORD will not answer you in that day.”

[19](#verse-19) But the people refused to listen to the voice of Samuel; and they said, “No, but we will have a king over us,

[20](#verse-20) that we also may be like all the nations; and that our king may judge us, and go out before us, and fight our battles.”

[21](#verse-21) Samuel heard all the words of the people, and he rehearsed them in the ears of the LORD.

[22](#verse-22) The LORD said to Samuel, “Listen to their voice, and make them a king.” Samuel said to the men of Israel, “Everyone go to your own city.”

[← 1 Samuel 7](/bible/1-samuel/7)[1 Samuel 9 →](/bible/1-samuel/9)

World English Bible · Public domain

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