Samuel’s Warning

So Samuel spoke all the words of the LORD to the people who were asking him for a king. 11 He said,“This will be the manner of the king who will reign over you: He will take your sons and appoint [them] to serve his own chariots and horses, and to run in front of his chariots.

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He will appoint some for himself as commanders of thousands and of fifties, and others to plow his ground, to reap his harvest, and to make his weapons of war and equipment for his chariots.

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And he will take your daughters [to be] perfumers, cooks, and bakers.

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He will take the best of your fields and vineyards and olive groves and give them to his servants. 15 He will take a tenth of your grain and grape harvest and give it to his officials and servants. 16 And he will take your menservants and maidservants and your best cattle[fn] and donkeys and put [them] to his own use.

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He will take a tenth of your flocks, and you yourselves will become his slaves. 18 When that day comes, you will beg for relief from the king you have chosen but the LORD will not answer you on that day.”

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