1 Samuel 8

1 When Samuel grew old, he appointed his sons as judges over Israel.

1 撒母耳在年老的时候立了他的儿子做以色列人的士师。

2 The name of his firstborn son was Joel, and the name of his second was Abijah. They were judges in Beersheba.

2 他的长子是约珥，次子是亚比亚，他们在别示巴做士师。

3 But his sons did not walk in his ways; they turned aside toward dishonest gain, accepting bribes and perverting justice.

3 然而，他们没有效法自己的父亲，反而爱慕不义之财，贪赃枉法。

4 So all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah.

4 于是，以色列的长老一起到拉玛去见撒母耳，

5 “Look,” they said, “you are old, and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now appoint a king to judge us like all the other nations.”

5 说：“你年纪大了，你的儿子不效法你。现在求你为我们立一个王治理我们，像其他国家一样。”

6 But when they said, “Give us a king to judge us,” their demand was displeasing in the sight of Samuel; so he prayed to the LORD.

6 撒母耳听到他们要求立一个王治理他们，心中不悦，就向耶和华祷告。

7 And the LORD said to Samuel, “Listen to the voice of the people in all that they say to you. For it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected Me as their king.

7 耶和华对撒母耳说：“你照他们所说的去做吧，因为他们不是拒绝你，而是拒绝我做他们的王。

8 Just as they have done from the day I brought them up out of Egypt until this day, forsaking Me and serving other gods, so they are doing to you.

8 自从我带他们出埃及那天一直到今日，他们常常背弃我，去供奉其他神明。现在，他们也这样对待你。

9 Now listen to their voice; but you must solemnly warn them and show them the manner of the king who will reign over them.”

9 你就照他们所求的去做吧！但你要严厉地警告他们，让他们知道将来王会怎样管辖他们。”

10 So Samuel spoke all the words of the LORD to the people who were asking him for a king.

10 撒母耳就把耶和华的话转告给那些请求他立王的民众，说：

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.

11 “将来管辖你们的王会征用你们的儿子做他的战车兵、骑兵，要他们跑在他的战车前面。

12 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.

12 他会派一些人做千夫长、五十夫长，一些人为他耕种田地、收割庄稼，一些人制造兵器和战车的装备。

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

13 他会把你们的女儿带走，要她们给他造香膏、煮饭和烤饼。

14 He will take the best of your fields and vineyards and olive groves and give them to his servants.

14 他会夺去你们最好的田地、葡萄园和橄榄园，送给他的臣仆。

15 He will take a tenth of your grain and grape harvest and give it to his officials and servants.

15 他会从你们的粮食和葡萄园的出产中收取十分之一，送给他的官员和臣仆。

16 And he will take your menservants and maidservants and your best cattle and donkeys and put them to his own use.

16 他会征用你们的仆婢及最好的牛 和驴来为他效劳。

17 He will take a tenth of your flocks, and you yourselves will become his slaves.

17 他会拿去你们羊群的十分之一，你们必做他的奴仆。

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.”

18 那时你们会因所选之王的压迫而呼求耶和华，耶和华却不会垂听。”

19 Nevertheless, the people refused to listen to Samuel. “No!” they said. “We must have a king over us.

19 民众却不肯听从撒母耳的话。他们说：“不，我们想要一个王治理我们，

20 Then we will be like all the other nations, with a king to judge us, to go out before us, and to fight our battles.”

20 这样我们就会像其他国家一样，有王来统治我们，率领我们，为我们作战。”

21 Samuel listened to all the words of the people and repeated them in the hearing of the LORD.

21 撒母耳听后，就把民众这些话转告耶和华。

22 “Listen to their voice,” the LORD said to Samuel. “Appoint a king for them.” Then Samuel told the men of Israel, “Everyone must go back to his city.”

22 耶和华对撒母耳说：“照他们说的去为他们立一个王吧。”于是，撒母耳对以色列人说：“你们各人回自己的城去吧。”