¹ And Samuel said unto all Israel, Behold, I have hearkened unto your voice in all that ye said unto me, and have made a king over you.

² And now, behold, the king walketh before you: and I am old and grayheaded; and, behold, my sons are with you: and I have walked before you from my childhood unto this day.

³ Behold, here I am: witness against me before the LORD, and before his anointed: whose ox have I taken? or whose ass have I taken? or whom have I defrauded? whom have I oppressed? or of whose hand have I received any bribe to blind mine eyes therewith? and I will restore it you.

⁴ And they said, Thou hast not defrauded us, nor oppressed us, neither hast thou taken ought of any man's hand.

⁵ And he said unto them, The LORD is witness against you, and his anointed is witness this day, that ye have not found ought in my hand. And they answered, He is witness.

⁶ And Samuel said unto the people, It is the LORD that advanced Moses and Aaron, and that brought your fathers up out of the land of Egypt.

⁷ Now therefore stand still, that I may reason with you before the LORD of all the righteous acts of the LORD, which he did to you and to your fathers.

⁸ When Jacob was come into Egypt, and your fathers cried unto the LORD, then the LORD sent Moses and Aaron, which brought forth your fathers out of Egypt, and made them dwell in this place.

⁹ And when they forgat the LORD their God, he sold them into the hand of Sisera, captain of the host of Hazor, and into the hand of the Philistines, and into the hand of the king of Moab, and they fought against them.

¹⁰ And they cried unto the LORD, and said, We have sinned, because we have forsaken the LORD, and have served Baalim and Ashtaroth: but now deliver us out of the hand of our enemies, and we will serve thee.

¹¹ And the LORD sent Jerubbaal, and Bedan, and Jephthah, and Samuel, and delivered you out of the hand of your enemies on every side, and ye dwelled safe.

¹² And when ye saw that Nahash the king of the children of Ammon came against you, ye said unto me, Nay; but a king shall reign over us: when the LORD your God was your king.

¹³ Now therefore behold the king whom ye have chosen, and whom ye have desired! and, behold, the LORD hath set a king over you.

¹⁴ If ye will fear the LORD, and serve him, and obey his voice, and not rebel against the commandment of the LORD, then shall both ye and also the king that reigneth over you continue following the LORD your God:

¹⁵ But if ye will not obey the voice of the LORD, but rebel against the commandment of the LORD, then shall the hand of the LORD be against you, as it was against your fathers.

¹⁶ Now therefore stand and see this great thing, which the LORD will do before your eyes.

¹⁷ Is it not wheat harvest to day? I will call unto the LORD, and he shall send thunder and rain; that ye may perceive and see that your wickedness is great, which ye have done in the sight of the LORD, in asking you a king.

¹⁸ So Samuel called unto the LORD; and the LORD sent thunder and rain that day: and all the people greatly feared the LORD and Samuel.

¹⁹ And all the people said unto Samuel, Pray for thy servants unto the LORD thy God, that we die not: for we have added unto all our sins this evil, to ask us a king.

²⁰ And Samuel said unto the people, Fear not: ye have done all this wickedness: yet turn not aside from following the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart;

²¹ And turn ye not aside: for then should ye go after vain things, which cannot profit nor deliver; for they are vain.

²² For the LORD will not forsake his people for his great name's sake: because it hath pleased the LORD to make you his people.

²³ Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach you the good and the right way:

²⁴ Only fear the LORD, and serve him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great things he hath done for you.

²⁵ But if ye shall still do wickedly, ye shall be consumed, both ye and your king.

---

¹ And Samuel ^H8050 said ^H559 unto all Israel, ^H3478 Behold, I have hearkened ^H8085 unto your voice ^H6963 in all that ye said ^H559 unto me, and have made ^H4427 a king ^H4428 over you.

² And now, behold, the king ^H4428 walketh ^H1980 before ^H6440 you: and I am old ^H2204 and grayheaded; ^H7867 and, behold, my sons ^H1121 are with you: and I have walked ^H1980 before ^H6440 you from my childhood ^H5271 unto this day. ^H3117

³ Behold, here I am: witness ^H6030 against me before the LORD, ^H3068 and before his anointed: ^H4899 whose ox ^H7794 have I taken? ^H3947 or whose ass ^H2543 have I taken? ^H3947 or whom have I defrauded? ^H6231 whom have I oppressed? ^H7533 or of whose hand ^H3027 have I received any bribe ^H3724 to blind ^H5956 mine eyes ^H5869 therewith? and I will restore ^H7725 it you.

⁴ And they said, ^H559 Thou hast not defrauded ^H6231 us, nor oppressed ^H7533 us, neither hast thou taken ^H3947 ought ^H3972 of any man's ^H376 hand. ^H3027

⁵ And he said ^H559 unto them, The LORD ^H3068 is witness ^H5707 against you, and his anointed ^H4899 is witness ^H5707 this day, ^H3117 that ye have not found ^H4672 ought ^H3972 in my hand. ^H3027 And they answered, ^H559 He is witness. ^H5707

⁶ And Samuel ^H8050 said ^H559 unto the people, ^H5971 It is the LORD ^H3068 that advanced ^H6213 Moses ^H4872 and Aaron, ^H175 and that brought ^H5927 your fathers ^H1 up ^H5927 out of the land ^H776 of Egypt. ^H4714

⁷ Now therefore stand still, ^H3320 that I may reason ^H8199 with you before ^H6440 the LORD ^H3068 of all the righteous acts ^H6666 of the LORD, ^H3068 which he did ^H6213 to you and to your fathers. ^H1

⁸ When Jacob ^H3290 was come ^H935 into Egypt, ^H4714 and your fathers ^H1 cried ^H2199 unto the LORD, ^H3068 then the LORD ^H3068 sent ^H7971 Moses ^H4872 and Aaron, ^H175 which brought forth ^H3318 your fathers ^H1 out of Egypt, ^H4714 and made them dwell ^H3427 in this place. ^H4725

⁹ And when they forgat ^H7911 the LORD ^H3068 their God, ^H430 he sold ^H4376 them into the hand ^H3027 of Sisera, ^H5516 captain ^H8269 of the host ^H6635 of Hazor, ^H2674 and into the hand ^H3027 of the Philistines, ^H6430 and into the hand ^H3027 of the king ^H4428 of Moab, ^H4124 and they fought ^H3898 against them.

¹⁰ And they cried ^H2199 unto the LORD, ^H3068 and said, ^H559 We have sinned, ^H2398 because we have forsaken ^H5800 the LORD, ^H3068 and have served ^H5647 Baalim ^H1168 and Ashtaroth: ^H6252 but now deliver ^H5337 us out of the hand ^H3027 of our enemies, ^H341 and we will serve ^H5647 thee.

¹¹ And the LORD ^H3068 sent ^H7971 Jerubbaal, ^H3378 and Bedan, ^H917 and Jephthah, ^H3316 and Samuel, ^H8050 and delivered ^H5337 you out of the hand ^H3027 of your enemies ^H341 on every side, ^H5439 and ye dwelled ^H3427 safe. ^H983

¹² And when ye saw ^H7200 that Nahash ^H5176 the king ^H4428 of the children ^H1121 of Ammon ^H5983 came ^H935 against you, ye said ^H559 unto me, Nay; but a king ^H4428 shall reign ^H4427 over us: when the LORD ^H3068 your God ^H430 was your king. ^H4428

¹³ Now therefore behold the king ^H4428 whom ye have chosen, ^H977 and whom ye have desired! ^H7592 and, behold, the LORD ^H3068 hath set ^H5414 a king ^H4428 over you.

¹⁴ If ye will fear ^H3372 the LORD, ^H3068 and serve ^H5647 him, and obey ^H8085 his voice, ^H6963 and not rebel ^H4784 against the commandment ^H6310 of the LORD, ^H3068 then shall both ye and also the king ^H4428 that reigneth ^H4427 over you continue following ^H310 the LORD ^H3068 your God: ^H430

¹⁵ But if ye will not obey ^H8085 the voice ^H6963 of the LORD, ^H3068 but rebel ^H4784 against the commandment ^H6310 of the LORD, ^H3068 then shall the hand ^H3027 of the LORD ^H3068 be against you, as it was against your fathers. ^H1

¹⁶ Now therefore ^H1571 stand ^H3320 and see ^H7200 this great ^H1419 thing, ^H1697 which the LORD ^H3068 will do ^H6213 before your eyes. ^H5869

¹⁷ Is it not wheat ^H2406 harvest ^H7105 to day? ^H3117 I will call ^H7121 unto the LORD, ^H3068 and he shall send ^H5414 thunder ^H6963 and rain; ^H4306 that ye may perceive ^H3045 and see ^H7200 that your wickedness ^H7451 is great, ^H7227 which ye have done ^H6213 in the sight ^H5869 of the LORD, ^H3068 in asking ^H7592 you a king. ^H4428

¹⁸ So Samuel ^H8050 called ^H7121 unto the LORD; ^H3068 and the LORD ^H3068 sent ^H5414 thunder ^H6963 and rain ^H4306 that day: ^H3117 and all the people ^H5971 greatly ^H3966 feared ^H3372 the LORD ^H3068 and Samuel. ^H8050

¹⁹ And all the people ^H5971 said ^H559 unto Samuel, ^H8050 Pray ^H6419 for thy servants ^H5650 unto the LORD ^H3068 thy God, ^H430 that we die ^H4191 not: for we have added ^H3254 unto all our sins ^H2403 this evil, ^H7451 to ask ^H7592 us a king. ^H4428

²⁰ And Samuel ^H8050 said ^H559 unto the people, ^H5971 Fear ^H3372 not: ye have done ^H6213 all this wickedness: ^H7451 yet turn not aside ^H5493 from following ^H310 the LORD, ^H3068 but serve ^H5647 the LORD ^H3068 with all your heart; ^H3824

²¹ And turn ye not aside: ^H5493 for then should ye go after ^H310 vain ^H8414 things, which cannot profit ^H3276 nor deliver; ^H5337 for they are vain. ^H8414

²² For the LORD ^H3068 will not forsake ^H5203 his people ^H5971 for his great ^H1419 name's ^H8034 sake: because it hath pleased ^H2974 the LORD ^H3068 to make ^H6213 you his people. ^H5971

²³ Moreover as for me, ^H595 God forbid ^H2486 that I should sin ^H2398 against the LORD ^H3068 in ceasing ^H2308 to pray ^H6419 for you: ^H1157 but I will teach ^H3384 you the good ^H2896 and the right ^H3477 way: ^H1870

²⁴ Only fear ^H3372 the LORD, ^H3068 and serve ^H5647 him in truth ^H571 with all your heart: ^H3824 for consider ^H7200 how great things he hath done ^H1431 for you.

²⁵ But if ye shall still ^H7489 do wickedly, ^H7489 ye shall be consumed, ^H5595 both ye and your king. ^H4428

---

¹ And Samuel said unto all Israel, Behold, I have hearkened unto your voice in all that ye said unto me, and have made a king over you.

² And now, behold, the king walketh before you; and I am old and grayheaded; and, behold, my sons are with you: and I have walked before you from my youth unto this day.

³ Here I am: witness against me before Jehovah, and before his anointed: whose ox have I taken? or whose ass have I taken? or whom have I defrauded? whom have I oppressed? or of whose hand have I taken a ransom to blind mine eyes therewith? and I will restore it you.

⁴ And they said, Thou hast not defrauded us, nor oppressed us, neither hast thou taken aught of any man's hand.

⁵ And he said unto them, Jehovah is witness against you, and his anointed is witness this day, that ye have not found aught in my hand. And they said, He is witness.

⁶ And Samuel said unto the people, It is Jehovah that appointed Moses and Aaron, and that brought your fathers up out of the land of Egypt.

⁷ Now therefore stand still, that I may plead with you before Jehovah concerning all the righteous acts of Jehovah, which he did to you and to your fathers.

⁸ When Jacob was come into Egypt, and your fathers cried unto Jehovah, then Jehovah sent Moses and Aaron, who brought forth your fathers out of Egypt, and made them to dwell in this place.

⁹ But they forgat Jehovah their God; and he sold them into the hand of Sisera, captain of the host of Hazor, and into the hand of the Philistines, and into the hand of the king of Moab; and they fought against them.

¹⁰ And they cried unto Jehovah, and said, We have sinned, because we have forsaken Jehovah, and have served the Baalim and the Ashtaroth: but now deliver us out of the hand of our enemies, and we will serve thee.

¹¹ And Jehovah sent Jerubbaal, and Bedan, and Jephthah, and Samuel, and delivered you out of the hand of your enemies on every side; and ye dwelt in safety.

¹² And when ye saw that Nahash the king of the children of Ammon came against you, ye said unto me, Nay, but a king shall reign over us; when Jehovah your God was your king.

¹³ Now therefore behold the king whom ye have chosen, and whom ye have asked for: and, behold, Jehovah hath set a king over you.

¹⁴ If ye will fear Jehovah, and serve him, and hearken unto his voice, and not rebel against the commandment of Jehovah, and both ye and also the king that reigneth over you be followers of Jehovah your God, `well':

¹⁵ but if ye will not hearken unto the voice of Jehovah, but rebel against the commandment of Jehovah, then will the hand of Jehovah be against you, as it was against your fathers.

¹⁶ Now therefore stand still and see this great thing, which Jehovah will do before your eyes.

¹⁷ Is it not wheat harvest to-day? I will call unto Jehovah, that he may send thunder and rain; and ye shall know and see that your wickedness is great, which ye have done in the sight of Jehovah, in asking you a king.

¹⁸ So Samuel called unto Jehovah; and Jehovah sent thunder and rain that day: and all the people greatly feared Jehovah and Samuel.

¹⁹ And all the people said unto Samuel, Pray for thy servants unto Jehovah thy God, that we die not; for we have added unto all our sins `this' evil, to ask us a king.

²⁰ And Samuel said unto the people, Fear not; ye have indeed done all this evil; yet turn not aside from following Jehovah, but serve Jehovah with all your heart:

²¹ and turn ye not aside; for `then would ye go' after vain things which cannot profit nor deliver, for they are vain.

²² For Jehovah will not forsake his people for his great name's sake, because it hath pleased Jehovah to make you a people unto himself.

²³ Moreover as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against Jehovah in ceasing to pray for you: but I will instruct you in the good and the right way.

²⁴ Only fear Jehovah, and serve him in truth with all your heart; for consider how great things he hath done for you.

²⁵ But if ye shall still do wickedly, ye shall be consumed, both ye and your king.

---

¹ And Samuel saith unto all Israel, `Lo, I have hearkened to your voice, to all that ye said to me, and I cause to reign over you a king,

² and now, lo, the king is walking habitually before you, and I have become aged and gray-headed, and my sons, lo, they `are' with you, and I have walked habitually before you from my youth till this day.

³ `Lo, here `am' I; testify against me, over-against Jehovah, and over-against His anointed; whose ox have I taken, and whose ass have I taken, and whom have I oppressed; whom have I bruised, and of whose hand have I taken a ransom, and hide mine eyes with it? -- and I restore to you.'

⁴ And they say, `Thou hast not oppressed us, nor hast thou crushed us, nor hast thou taken from the hand of any one anything.'

⁵ And he saith unto them, `A witness `is' Jehovah against you: and a witness `is' His anointed this day, that ye have not found anything in my hand;' and they say, `A witness.'

⁶ And Samuel saith unto the people, `Jehovah -- He who made Moses and Aaron, and who brought up your fathers out of the land of Egypt!

⁷ and, now, station yourselves, and I judge you before Jehovah, with all the righteous acts of Jehovah, which He did with you, and with your fathers.

⁸ `When Jacob hath come in to Egypt, and your fathers cry unto Jehovah, then Jehovah sendeth Moses and Aaron, and they bring out your fathers from Egypt, and cause them to dwell in this place,

⁹ and they forget Jehovah their God, and He selleth them into the hand of Sisera, head of the host of Hazor, and into the hand of the Philistines, and into the hand of the king of Moab, and they fight against them,

¹⁰ and they cry unto Jehovah, and say, We have sinned, because we have forsaken Jehovah, and serve the Baalim, and Ashtaroth, and now, deliver us out of the hand of our enemies, and we serve Thee.

¹¹ `And Jehovah sendeth Jerubbaal, and Bedan, and Jephthah, and Samuel, and delivereth you out of the hand of your enemies round about, and ye dwell confidently.

¹² `And ye see that Nahash king of the Bene-Ammon hath come against you, and ye say to me, Nay, but a king doth reign over us; and Jehovah your God `is' your king!

¹³ And, now, lo, the king whom ye have chosen -- whom ye have asked! and lo, Jehovah hath placed over you a king.

¹⁴ `If ye fear Jehovah, and have served Him, and hearkened to His voice, then ye do not provoke the mouth of Jehovah, and ye have been -- both ye and the king who hath reigned over you -- after Jehovah your God.

¹⁵ `And if ye do not hearken to the voice of Jehovah -- then ye have provoked the mouth of Jehovah, and the hand of Jehovah hath been against you, and against your fathers.

¹⁶ `Also now, station yourselves and see this great thing which Jehovah is doing before your eyes;

¹⁷ is it not wheat-harvest to-day? I call unto Jehovah, and He doth give voices and rain; and know ye and see that your evil is great which ye have done in the eyes of Jehovah, to ask for you a king.'

¹⁸ And Samuel calleth unto Jehovah, and Jehovah giveth voices and rain, on that day, and all the people greatly fear Jehovah and Samuel;

¹⁹ and all the people say unto Samuel, `Pray for thy servants unto Jehovah thy God, and we do not die, for we have added to all our sins evil to ask for us a king.'

²⁰ And Samuel saith unto the people, `Fear not; ye have done all this evil; only, turn not aside from after Jehovah -- and ye have served Jehovah with all your heart,

²¹ and ye do not turn aside after the vain things which do not profit nor deliver, for they `are' vain,

²² for Jehovah doth not leave His people, on account of His great name; for Jehovah hath been pleased to make you to Him for a people.

²³ `I, also, far be it from me to sin against Jehovah, by ceasing to pray for you, and I have directed you in the good and upright way;

²⁴ only, fear ye Jehovah, and ye have served Him in truth with all your heart, for see that which He hath made great with you;

²⁵ and if ye really do evil, both ye and your king are consumed.'

---

¹ And Samuel said to all Israel, Behold, I have hearkened to your voice in all that ye said to me, and have made a king over you.

² And now behold, the king walks before you; and I am old and grey-headed; and behold, my sons are with you; and I have walked before you from my youth up to this day.

³ Here I am: testify against me before Jehovah, and before his anointed. Whose ox have I taken? or whose ass have I taken? or whom have I defrauded? whom have I injured? or of whose hand have I received any ransom and blinded mine eyes therewith? and I will restore it to you.

⁴ And they said, Thou hast not defrauded us, and thou hast not injured us, neither hast thou taken aught of any man's hand.

⁵ And he said to them, Jehovah is witness against you, and his anointed is witness this day, that ye have not found aught in my hand! And [the people] said, [He is] witness!

⁶ And Samuel said to the people, [It is] Jehovah who appointed Moses and Aaron, and who brought your fathers up out of the land of Egypt.

⁷ And now stand still, that I may plead with you before Jehovah of all the righteous acts of Jehovah which he did to you and to your fathers.

⁸ When Jacob had come into Egypt, and your fathers cried to Jehovah, then Jehovah sent Moses and Aaron, and they brought your fathers forth out of Egypt, and made them dwell in this place.

⁹ And they forgot Jehovah their God, and he sold them into the hand of Sisera, captain of the host of Hazor, and into the hand of the Philistines, and into the hand of the king of Moab, and they fought against them.

¹⁰ And they cried to Jehovah and said, We have sinned, because we have forsaken Jehovah, and have served the Baals and the Ashtoreths; and now deliver us out of the hand of our enemies, and we will serve thee.

¹¹ And Jehovah sent Jerubbaal and Bedan and Jephthah and Samuel, and delivered you out of the hand of your enemies round about, so that ye dwelt in safety.

¹² But when ye saw that Nahash the king of the children of Ammon came against you, ye said to me, Nay, but a king shall reign over us; when Jehovah your God was your king.

¹³ And now behold, the king whom ye have chosen, whom ye have asked for! and behold, Jehovah has set a king over you.

¹⁴ If ye fear Jehovah, and serve him, and hearken to his voice, and rebel not against the commandment of Jehovah, then both ye and the king also that reigns over you shall continue following Jehovah your God.

¹⁵ But if ye will not hearken to the voice of Jehovah, and if ye rebel against the commandment of Jehovah, then will the hand of Jehovah be against you, as against your fathers.

¹⁶ Now therefore stand and see this great thing which Jehovah will do before your eyes.

¹⁷ Is it not wheat-harvest to-day? I will call unto Jehovah, and he will send thunder and rain; and ye shall perceive and see that your wickedness is great which ye have done in the sight of Jehovah in asking for yourselves a king.

¹⁸ And Samuel called to Jehovah; and Jehovah sent thunder and rain that day. And all the people greatly feared Jehovah and Samuel.

¹⁹ And all the people said to Samuel, Pray to Jehovah thy God for thy servants, that we die not; for we have added to all our sins the wickedness to ask for ourselves a king.

²⁰ And Samuel said to the people, Fear not: *ye* have done all this wickedness; yet turn not aside from following Jehovah, and serve Jehovah with all your heart;

²¹ and turn ye not aside; for [it would be] after vain things which cannot profit nor deliver; for they are vain.

²² For Jehovah will not cast away his people for his great name's sake; because it has pleased Jehovah to make you his people.

²³ Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against Jehovah in ceasing to pray for you; and I will teach you the good and right way.

²⁴ Only, fear Jehovah, and serve him in truth, with all your heart; for see how great things he has done for you.

²⁵ But if ye do wickedly, ye shall perish, both ye and your king.

---

¹ Samuel said to all Israel, Behold, I have listened to your voice in all that you said to me, and have made a king over you.

² Now, behold, the king walks before you; and I am old and gray-headed; and, behold, my sons are with you: and I have walked before you from my youth to this day.

³ Here I am: witness against me before Yahweh, and before his anointed: whose ox have I taken? or whose donkey have I taken? or whom have I defrauded? whom have I oppressed? or of whose hand have I taken a ransom to blind my eyes therewith? and I will restore it you.

⁴ They said, You have not defrauded us, nor oppressed us, neither have you taken anything of any man's hand.

⁵ He said to them, Yahweh is witness against you, and his anointed is witness this day, that you have not found anything in my hand. They said, He is witness.

⁶ Samuel said to the people, It is Yahweh who appointed Moses and Aaron, and that brought your fathers up out of the land of Egypt.

⁷ Now therefore stand still, that I may plead with you before Yahweh concerning all the righteous acts of Yahweh, which he did to you and to your fathers.

⁸ When Jacob was come into Egypt, and your fathers cried to Yahweh, then Yahweh sent Moses and Aaron, who brought forth your fathers out of Egypt, and made them to dwell in this place.

⁹ But they forgot Yahweh their God; and he sold them into the hand of Sisera, captain of the host of Hazor, and into the hand of the Philistines, and into the hand of the king of Moab; and they fought against them.

¹⁰ They cried to Yahweh, and said, We have sinned, because we have forsaken Yahweh, and have served the Baals and the Ashtaroth: but now deliver us out of the hand of our enemies, and we will serve you.

¹¹ Yahweh sent Jerubbaal, and Bedan, and Jephthah, and Samuel, and delivered you out of the hand of your enemies on every side; and you lived in safety.

¹² When you saw that Nahash the king of the children of Ammon came against you, you said to me, No, but a king shall reign over us; when Yahweh your God was your king.

¹³ Now therefore see the king whom you have chosen, and whom you have asked for: and, behold, Yahweh has set a king over you.

¹⁴ If you will fear Yahweh, and serve him, and listen to his voice, and not rebel against the commandment of Yahweh, and both you and also the king who reigns over you are followers of Yahweh your God, [well]:

¹⁵ but if you will not listen to the voice of Yahweh, but rebel against the commandment of Yahweh, then will the hand of Yahweh be against you, as it was against your fathers.

¹⁶ Now therefore stand still and see this great thing, which Yahweh will do before your eyes.

¹⁷ Isn't it wheat harvest today? I will call to Yahweh, that he may send thunder and rain; and you shall know and see that your wickedness is great, which you have done in the sight of Yahweh, in asking you a king.

¹⁸ So Samuel called to Yahweh; and Yahweh sent thunder and rain that day: and all the people greatly feared Yahweh and Samuel.

¹⁹ All the people said to Samuel, Pray for your servants to Yahweh your God, that we not die; for we have added to all our sins [this] evil, to ask us a king.

²⁰ Samuel said to the people, "Don't be afraid; you have indeed done all this evil; yet don't turn aside from following Yahweh, but serve Yahweh with all your heart:

²¹ and don't turn aside; for [then would you go] after vain things which can't profit nor deliver, for they are vain.

²² For Yahweh will not forsake his people for his great name's sake, because it has pleased Yahweh to make you a people to himself.

²³ Moreover as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against Yahweh in ceasing to pray for you: but I will instruct you in the good and the right way.

²⁴ Only fear Yahweh, and serve him in truth with all your heart; for consider how great things he has done for you.

²⁵ But if you shall still do wickedly, you shall be consumed, both you and your king."

---

¹ And Samuel said to all Israel, You see that I have given ear to everything you said to me, and have made a king over you.

² And now, see, the king is before you: and I am old and grey-headed, and my sons are with you: I have been living before your eyes from my early days till now.

³ Here I am: give witness against me before the Lord and before the man on whom he has put the holy oil: whose ox or ass have I taken? to whom have I been untrue? who has been crushed down by me? from whose hand have I taken a price for the blinding of my eyes? I will give it all back to you.

⁴ And they said, You have never been untrue to us or cruel to us; you have taken nothing from any man.

⁵ Then he said, The Lord is witness against you, and the man on whom he has put the holy oil is witness this day that you have seen no wrong in me. And they said, He is witness.

⁶ And Samuel said to the people, The Lord is witness, who gave authority to Moses and Aaron, and who took your fathers up out of the land of Egypt.

⁷ Keep your places now, while I take up the argument with you before the Lord, and give you the story of the righteousness of the Lord, which he has made clear by his acts to you and to your fathers.

⁸ When Jacob and his sons had come into Egypt, and were crushed by the Egyptians, the prayers of your fathers came up to the Lord, and the Lord sent Moses and Aaron, who took your fathers out of Egypt, and he put them into this place.

⁹ But they were false to the Lord their God, and he gave them up into the hands of Sisera, captain of the army of Jabin, king of Hazor, and into the hands of the Philistines, and into the hands of the king of Moab, who made war against them.

¹⁰ Then crying out to the Lord, they said, We have done evil, because we have been turned away from the Lord, worshipping the Baals and the Astartes: but now, make us safe from those who are against us and we will be your servants.

¹¹ So the Lord sent Jerubbaal and Barak and Jephthah and Samuel and took you out of the power of those who were fighting against you on every side, and made you safe.

¹² And when you saw that Nahash, the king of the Ammonites, was coming against you, you said to me, No more of this; we will have a king for our ruler: when the Lord your God was your king.

¹³ Here, then, is the king marked out by you: the Lord has put a king over you.

¹⁴ If in the fear of the Lord you are his servants, hearing his voice and not going against the orders of the Lord, but being true to the Lord your God, you and the king ruling over you, then all will be well:

¹⁵ But if you do not give ear to the voice of the Lord, but go against his orders, then the hand of the Lord will be against you and against your king for your destruction, as it was against your fathers.

¹⁶ Now keep where you are and see this great thing which the Lord will do before your eyes.

¹⁷ Is it not now the time of the grain cutting? My cry will go up to the Lord and he will send thunder and rain: so that you may see and be conscious of your great sin which you have done in the eyes of the Lord in desiring a king for yourselves.

¹⁸ So Samuel made prayer to the Lord; and the Lord sent thunder and rain that day: and all the people were in fear of the Lord and of Samuel.

¹⁹ And all the people said to Samuel, Make prayer for us to the Lord your God so that death may not overtake us: for in addition to all our sins we have done this evil, in desiring a king.

²⁰ Then Samuel said to the people, Have no fear: truly you have done evil, but do not be turned away from the Lord; be his servants with all your heart;

²¹ And do not go from the right way turning to those false gods in which there is no profit and no salvation, for they are false.

²² For the Lord will not give his people up, because of the honour of his name; for it was the Lord's pleasure to make of you a people for himself.

²³ And as for me, never will I go against the orders of the Lord by giving up my prayers for you: but I will go on teaching you the good and right way.

²⁴ Only go in the fear of the Lord, and be his true servants with all your heart, keeping in mind what great things he has done for you.

²⁵ But if you still do evil, destruction will overtake you and your king.