1 Samuel 8 | Biblion Bible Reader

WEB·1 Samuel 9

¹Now there was a man of Benjamin, whose name was Kish the son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Becorath, the son of Aphiah, the son of a Benjamite, a mighty man of valor.

KJVNow there was a man^H376 of Benjamin^H1144, whose name^H8034 was Kish^H7027, the son^H1121 of Abiel^H22, the son^H1121 of Zeror^H6872, the son^H1121 of Bechorath^H1064, the son^H1121 of Aphiah^H647, a Benjamite^H1145, a mighty^H1368 man^H376 of power^H2428.

² He had a son whose name was Saul, an impressive young man; and there was not among the children of Israel a more handsome person than he. From his shoulders and upward he was taller than any of the people.

KJVAnd he had a son^H1121, whose name^H8034 was Saul^H7586, a choice young man^H970, and a goodly^H2896: and there was not among the children^H1121 of Israel^H3478 a goodlier^H2896 person^H376 than he: from his shoulders^H7926 and upward^H4605 he was higher^H1364 than any of the people^H5971.

³ The donkeys of Kish, Saul’s father, were lost. Kish said to Saul his son, “Now take one of the servants with you, and arise, go look for the donkeys.”

KJVAnd the asses^H860 of Kish^H7027 Saul's^H7586 father^H1 were lost^H6^(H8799). And Kish^H7027 said^H559^(H8799) to Saul^H7586 his son^H1121, Take^H3947^(H8798) now one^H259 of the servants^H5288 with thee, and arise^H6965^(H8798), go^H3212^(H8798) seek^H1245^(H8761) the asses^H860.

⁴ He passed through the hill country of Ephraim, and passed through the land of Shalishah, but they didn’t find them. Then they passed through the land of Shaalim, and they weren’t there. Then he passed through the land of the Benjamites, but they didn’t find them.

KJVAnd he passed through^H5674^(H8799) mount^H2022 Ephraim^H669, and passed through^H5674^(H8799) the land^H776 of Shalisha^H8031, but they found^H4672^(H8804) them not: then they passed through^H5674^(H8799) the land^H776 of Shalim^H8171, and there they were not: and he passed through^H5674^(H8799) the land^H776 of the Benjamites^H1145, but they found^H4672^(H8804) them not.

⁵ When they had come to the land of Zuph, Saul said to his servant who was with him, “Come! Let’s return, lest my father stop caring about the donkeys and be anxious for us.”

KJVAnd when they were come^H935^(H8804) to the land^H776 of Zuph^H6689, Saul^H7586 said^H559^(H8804) to his servant^H5288 that was with him, Come^H3212^(H8798), and let us return^H7725^(H8799); lest my father^H1 leave^H2308^(H8799) caring for the asses^H860, and take thought^H1672^(H8804) for us.

⁶ The servant said to him, “Behold now, there is a man of God in this city, and he is a man who is held in honor. All that he says surely happens. Now let’s go there. Perhaps he can tell us which way to go.”

KJVAnd he said^H559^(H8799) unto him, Behold now, there is in this city^H5892 a man^H376 of God^H430, and he is an honourable^H3513^(H8737) man^H376; all that he saith^H1696^(H8762) cometh^H935^(H8799) surely to pass^H935^(H8800): now let us go^H3212^(H8799) thither; peradventure he can shew^H5046^(H8686) us our way^H1870 that we should go^H1980^(H8804).

⁷ Then Saul said to his servant, “But behold, if we go, what should we bring the man? For the bread is spent in our sacks, and there is not a present to bring to the man of God. What do we have?”

KJVThen said^H559^(H8799) Saul^H7586 to his servant^H5288, But, behold, if we go^H3212^(H8799), what shall we bring^H935^(H8686) the man^H376? for the bread^H3899 is spent^H235^(H8804) in our vessels^H3627, and there is not a present^H8670 to bring^H935^(H8687) to the man^H376 of God^H430: what have we?

⁸ The servant answered Saul again and said, “Behold, I have in my hand the fourth part of a shekel of silver. I will give that to the man of God, to tell us our way.”

KJVAnd the servant^H5288 answered^H6030^(H8800) Saul^H7586 again^H3254^(H8686), and said^H559^(H8799), Behold, I have^H4672^(H8738) here at hand^H3027 the fourth part^H7253 of a shekel^H8255 of silver^H3701: that will I give^H5414^(H8804) to the man^H376 of God^H430, to tell^H5046^(H8689) us our way^H1870.

⁹ (In earlier times in Israel, when a man went to inquire of God, he said, “Come! Let’s go to the seer;” for he who is now called a prophet was before called a seer.)

KJV(Beforetime^H6440 in Israel^H3478, when a man^H376 went^H3212^(H8800) to enquire^H1875^(H8800) of God^H430, thus he spake^H559^(H8804), Come^H3212^(H8798), and let us go^H3212^(H8799) to the seer^H7200^(H8802): for he that is now^H3117 called a Prophet^H5030 was beforetime^H6440 called^H7121^(H8735) a Seer^H7200^(H8802).)

¹⁰ Then Saul said to his servant, “Well said. Come! Let’s go.” So they went to the city where the man of God was.

KJVThen said^H1697 Saul^H7586 to his servant^H5288, Well^H2896 said^H559^(H8799); come^H3212^(H8798), let us go^H3212^(H8799). So they went^H3212^(H8799) unto the city^H5892 where the man^H376 of God^H430 was.

¹¹ As they went up the ascent to the city, they found young maidens going out to draw water, and said to them, “Is the seer here?”

KJVAnd as they went up^H5927^(H8802) the hill^H4608 to the city^H5892, they found^H4672^(H8804) young maidens^H5291 going out^H3318^(H8802) to draw^H7579^(H8800) water^H4325, and said^H559^(H8799) unto them, Is^H3426 the seer^H7200^(H8802) here?

¹² They answered them and said, “He is. Behold, he is before you. Hurry now, for he has come today into the city; for the people have a sacrifice today in the high place.

KJVAnd they answered^H6030^(H8799) them, and said^H559^(H8799), He is^H3426; behold, he is before^H6440 you: make haste^H4116^(H8761) now, for he came^H935^(H8804) to day^H3117 to the city^H5892; for there is a sacrifice^H2077 of the people^H5971 to day^H3117 in the high place^H1116:

¹³ As soon as you have come into the city, you will immediately find him before he goes up to the high place to eat; for the people will not eat until he comes, because he blesses the sacrifice. Afterwards those who are invited eat. Now therefore go up; for at this time you will find him.”

KJVAs soon as ye be come^H935^(H8800) into the city^H5892, ye shall straightway^H3651 find^H4672^(H8799) him, before he go up^H5927^(H8799) to the high place^H1116 to eat^H398^(H8800): for the people^H5971 will not eat^H398^(H8799) until he come^H935^(H8800), because he doth bless^H1288^(H8762) the sacrifice^H2077; and afterwards^H310^H3651 they eat^H398^(H8799) that be bidden^H7121^(H8803). Now therefore get you up^H5927^(H8798); for about this time^H3117 ye shall find^H4672^(H8799) him.

¹⁴ They went up to the city. As they came within the city, behold, Samuel came out toward them to go up to the high place.

KJVAnd they went up^H5927^(H8799) into^H8432 the city^H5892: and when they were come^H935^(H8802) into the city^H5892, behold, Samuel^H8050 came out^H3318^(H8802) against^H7125^(H8800) them, for to go up^H5927^(H8800) to the high place^H1116.

¹⁵ Now Yahweh had revealed to Samuel a day before Saul came, saying,

KJVNow the LORD^H3068 had told^H1540^(H8804) Samuel^H8050 in his ear^H241 a^H259 day^H3117 before^H6440 Saul^H7586 came^H935^(H8800), saying^H559^(H8800),

¹⁶ “Tomorrow about this time I will send you a man out of the land of Benjamin, and you shall anoint him to be prince over my people Israel. He will save my people out of the hand of the Philistines; for I have looked upon my people, because their cry has come to me.”

KJVTo morrow^H4279 about this time^H6256 I will send^H7971^(H8799) thee a man^H376 out of the land^H776 of Benjamin^H1144, and thou shalt anoint^H4886^(H8804) him to be captain^H5057 over my people^H5971 Israel^H3478, that he may save^H3467^(H8689) my people^H5971 out of the hand^H3027 of the Philistines^H6430: for I have looked^H7200^(H8804) upon my people^H5971, because their cry^H6818 is come^H935^(H8804) unto me.

¹⁷ When Samuel saw Saul, Yahweh said to him, “Behold, the man of whom I spoke to you! He will have authority over my people.”

KJVAnd when Samuel^H8050 saw^H7200^(H8804) Saul^H7586, the LORD^H3068 said^H6030^(H8804) unto him, Behold the man^H376 whom I spake^H559^(H8804) to thee of! this same shall reign^H6113^(H8799) over my people^H5971.

¹⁸ Then Saul approached Samuel in the gateway, and said, “Please tell me where the seer’s house is.”

KJVThen Saul^H7586 drew near^H5066^(H8799) to Samuel^H8050 in^H8432 the gate^H8179, and said^H559^(H8799), Tell^H5046^(H8685) me, I pray thee, where^H335 the seer's^H7200^(H8802) house^H1004 is.

¹⁹ Samuel answered Saul and said, “I am the seer. Go up before me to the high place, for you are to eat with me today. In the morning I will let you go and will tell you all that is in your heart.

KJVAnd Samuel^H8050 answered^H6030^(H8799) Saul^H7586, and said^H559^(H8799), I am the seer^H7200^(H8802): go up^H5927^(H8798) before^H6440 me unto the high place^H1116; for ye shall eat^H398^(H8804) with me to day^H3117, and to morrow^H1242 I will let thee go^H7971^(H8765), and will tell^H5046^(H8686) thee all that is in thine heart^H3824.

²⁰ As for your donkeys who were lost three days ago, don’t set your mind on them, for they have been found. For whom does all Israel desire? Is it not you and all your father’s house?”

KJVAnd as for thine asses^H860 that were lost^H6^(H8802) three^H7969 days^H3117 ago^H3117, set^H7760^(H8799) not thy mind^H3820 on them; for they are found^H4672^(H8738). And on whom is all the desire^H2532 of Israel^H3478? Is it not on thee, and on all thy father's^H1 house^H1004?

²¹ Saul answered, “Am I not a Benjamite, of the smallest of the tribes of Israel? And my family the least of all the families of the tribe of Benjamin? Why then do you speak to me like this?”

KJVAnd Saul^H7586 answered^H6030^(H8799) and said^H559^(H8799), Am not I a Benjamite^H1145, of the smallest^H6996 of the tribes^H7626 of Israel^H3478? and my family^H4940 the least^H6810 of all the families^H4940 of the tribe^H7626 of Benjamin^H1144? wherefore then speakest^H1696^(H8765) thou so^H1697 to me?

²² Samuel took Saul and his servant and brought them into the guest room, and made them sit in the best place among those who were invited, who were about thirty persons.

KJVAnd Samuel^H8050 took^H3947^(H8799) Saul^H7586 and his servant^H5288, and brought^H935^(H8686) them into the parlour^H3957, and made them sit^H5414^(H8799) in the chiefest^H7218 place^H4725 among them that were bidden^H7121^(H8803), which were about thirty^H7970 persons^H376.

²³ Samuel said to the cook, “Bring the portion which I gave you, of which I said to you, ‘Set it aside.’”

KJVAnd Samuel^H8050 said^H559^(H8799) unto the cook^H2876, Bring^H5414^(H8798) the portion^H4490 which I gave^H5414^(H8804) thee, of which I said^H559^(H8804) unto thee, Set^H7760^(H8798) it by thee.

²⁴ The cook took up the thigh, and that which was on it, and set it before Saul. Samuel said, “Behold, that which has been reserved! Set it before yourself and eat; because it has been kept for you for the appointed time, for I said, ‘I have invited the people.’” So Saul ate with Samuel that day.

KJVAnd the cook^H2876 took up^H7311^(H8686) the shoulder^H7785, and that which was upon it, and set^H7760^(H8799) it before^H6440 Saul^H7586. And Samuel said^H559^(H8799), Behold that which is left^H7604^(H8737)! set^H7760^(H8798) it before^H6440 thee, and eat^H398^(H8798): for unto this time^H4150 hath it been kept^H8104^(H8803) for thee since I said^H559^(H8800), I have invited^H7121^(H8804) the people^H5971. So Saul^H7586 did eat^H398^(H8799) with Samuel^H8050 that day^H3117.

²⁵ When they had come down from the high place into the city, he talked with Saul on the housetop.

KJVAnd when they were come down^H3381^(H8799) from the high place^H1116 into the city^H5892, Samuel communed^H1696^(H8762) with Saul^H7586 upon the top of the house^H1406.

²⁶ They arose early; and about daybreak, Samuel called to Saul on the housetop, saying, “Get up, that I may send you away.” Saul arose, and they both went outside, he and Samuel, together.

KJVAnd they arose early^H7925^(H8686): and it came to pass about the spring^H5927^(H8800) of the day^H7837, that Samuel^H8050 called^H7121^(H8799) Saul^H7586 to the top of the house^H1406, saying^H559^(H8800), Up^H6965^(H8798), that I may send thee away^H7971^(H8762). And Saul^H7586 arose^H6965^(H8799), and they went out^H3318^(H8799) both^H8147 of them, he and Samuel^H8050, abroad^H2351.

²⁷ As they were going down at the end of the city, Samuel said to Saul, “Tell the servant to go on ahead of us.” He went ahead, then Samuel said, “But stand still first, that I may cause you to hear God’s message.”

KJVAnd as they were going down^H3381^(H8802) to the end^H7097 of the city^H5892, Samuel^H8050 said^H559^(H8804) to Saul^H7586, Bid^H559^(H8798) the servant^H5288 pass on^H5674^(H8799) before^H6440 us,(and he passed on^H5674^(H8798),) but stand^H5975^(H8798) thou still a while^H3117, that I may shew^H8085^(H8686) thee the word^H1697 of God^H430.

WEB·1 Samuel 8

¹When Samuel was old, he made his sons judges over Israel.

KJVAnd it came to pass, when Samuel^H8050 was old^H2204^(H8804), that he made^H7760^(H8799) his sons^H1121 judges^H8199^(H8802) over Israel^H3478.

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

KJVNow the name^H8034 of his firstborn^H1121^H1060 was Joel^H3100; and the name^H8034 of his second^H4932, Abiah^H29: they were judges^H8199^(H8802) in Beersheba^H884.

³ His sons didn’t walk in his ways, but turned away after dishonest gain, took bribes, and perverted justice.

KJVAnd his sons^H1121 walked^H1980^(H8804) not in his ways^H1870, but turned aside^H5186^(H8799) after^H310 lucre^H1215, and took^H3947^(H8799) bribes^H7810, and perverted^H5186^(H8686) judgment^H4941.

⁴ Then all the elders of Israel gathered themselves together and came to Samuel to Ramah.

KJVThen all the elders^H2205 of Israel^H3478 gathered themselves together^H6908^(H8691), and came^H935^(H8799) to Samuel^H8050 unto Ramah^H7414,

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.”

KJVAnd said^H559^(H8799) unto him, Behold, thou art old^H2204^(H8804), and thy sons^H1121 walk^H1980^(H8804) not in thy ways^H1870: now make^H7760^(H8798) us a king^H4428 to judge^H8199^(H8800) us like all the nations^H1471.

⁶ But the thing displeased Samuel when they said, “Give us a king to judge us.” Samuel prayed to Yahweh.

KJVBut the thing^H1697 displeased^H3415^(H8799)^H5869 Samuel^H8050, when they said^H559^(H8804), Give^H5414^(H8798) us a king^H4428 to judge^H8199^(H8800) us. And Samuel^H8050 prayed^H6419^(H8691) unto the LORD^H3068.

⁷ Yahweh 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.

KJVAnd the LORD^H3068 said^H559^(H8799) unto Samuel^H8050, Hearken^H8085^(H8798) unto the voice^H6963 of the people^H5971 in all that they say^H559^(H8799) unto thee: for they have not rejected^H3988^(H8804) thee, but they have rejected^H3988^(H8804) me, that I should not reign^H4427^(H8800) over them.

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.

KJVAccording to all the works^H4639 which they have done^H6213^(H8804) since the day^H3117 that I brought them up^H5927^(H8687) out of Egypt^H4714 even unto this day^H3117, wherewith they have forsaken^H5800^(H8799) me, and served^H5647^(H8799) other^H312 gods^H430, so do^H6213^(H8802) they also unto thee.

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.”

KJVNow therefore hearken^H8085^(H8798) unto their voice^H6963: howbeit^H389 yet protest^H5749^(H8686) solemnly^H5749^(H8687) unto them, and shew^H5046^(H8689) them the manner^H4941 of the king^H4428 that shall reign^H4427^(H8799) over them.

¹⁰ Samuel told all Yahweh’s words to the people who asked him for a king.

KJVAnd Samuel^H8050 told^H559^(H8799) all the words^H1697 of the LORD^H3068 unto the people^H5971 that asked^H7592^(H8802) of him a king^H4428.

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.

KJVAnd he said^H559^(H8799), This will be the manner^H4941 of the king^H4428 that shall reign^H4427^(H8799) over you: He will take^H3947^(H8799) your sons^H1121, and appoint^H7760^(H8804) them for himself, for his chariots^H4818, and to be his horsemen^H6571; and some shall run^H7323^(H8804) before^H6440 his chariots^H4818.

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.

KJVAnd he will appoint^H7760^(H8800) him captains^H8269 over thousands^H505, and captains^H8269 over fifties^H2572; and will set them to ear^H2790^(H8800) his ground^H2758, and to reap^H7114^(H8800) his harvest^H7105, and to make^H6213^(H8800) his instruments^H3627 of war^H4421, and instruments^H3627 of his chariots^H7393.

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

KJVAnd he will take^H3947^(H8799) your daughters^H1323 to be confectionaries^H7548, and to be cooks^H2879, and to be bakers^H644^(H8802).

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

KJVAnd he will take^H3947^(H8799) your fields^H7704, and your vineyards^H3754, and your oliveyards^H2132, even the best^H2896 of them, and give^H5414^(H8804) them to his servants^H5650.

¹⁵ He will take one tenth of your seed and of your vineyards, and give it to his officers and to his servants.

KJVAnd he will take the tenth^H6237^(H8799) of your seed^H2233, and of your vineyards^H3754, and give^H5414^(H8804) to his officers^H5631, and to his servants^H5650.

¹⁶ He will take your male servants, your female servants, your best young men, and your donkeys, and assign them to his own work.

KJVAnd he will take^H3947^(H8799) your menservants^H5650, and your maidservants^H8198, and your goodliest^H2896 young men^H970, and your asses^H2543, and put^H6213^(H8804) them to his work^H4399.

¹⁷ He will take one tenth of your flocks; and you will be his servants.

KJVHe will take the tenth^H6237^(H8799) of your sheep^H6629: and ye shall be his servants^H5650.

¹⁸ You will cry out in that day because of your king whom you will have chosen for yourselves; and Yahweh will not answer you in that day.”

KJVAnd ye shall cry out^H2199^(H8804) in that day^H3117 because^H6440 of your king^H4428 which ye shall have chosen^H977^(H8804) you; and the LORD^H3068 will not hear^H6030^(H8799) you in that day^H3117.

¹⁹ But the people refused to listen to the voice of Samuel; and they said, “No, but we will have a king over us,

KJVNevertheless the people^H5971 refused^H3985^(H8762) to obey^H8085^(H8800) the voice^H6963 of Samuel^H8050; and they said^H559^(H8799), Nay; but we will have a king^H4428 over us;

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.”

KJVThat we also may be like all the nations^H1471; and that our king^H4428 may judge^H8199^(H8804) us, and go out^H3318^(H8804) before^H6440 us, and fight^H3898^(H8738) our battles^H4421.

²¹ Samuel heard all the words of the people, and he rehearsed them in the ears of Yahweh.

KJVAnd Samuel^H8050 heard^H8085^(H8799) all the words^H1697 of the people^H5971, and he rehearsed^H1696^(H8762) them in the ears^H241 of the LORD^H3068.

²² Yahweh 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.”

KJVAnd the LORD^H3068 said^H559^(H8799) to Samuel^H8050, Hearken^H8085^(H8798) unto their voice^H6963, and make^H4427^(H8689) them a king^H4428. And Samuel^H8050 said^H559^(H8799) unto the men^H582 of Israel^H3478, Go^H3212^(H8798) ye every man^H376 unto his city^H5892.

Section titles come from the Biblion commentary, not from Scripture.

You can also read or listen to the Introduction to the book of 1 Samuel.