4 One day the nation's leaders came to Samuel at Ramah
5 and said, “You are an old man. You set a good example for your sons, but they haven't followed it. Now we want a king to be our leader, just like all the other nations. Choose one for us!”
6 Samuel was upset to hear the leaders say they wanted a king, so he prayed about it.
7 The Lord answered:Samuel, do everything they want you to do. I am really the one they have rejected as their king.
8 Ever since the day I rescued my people from Egypt, they have turned from me to worship idols. Now they are turning away from you.
9 Do everything they ask, but warn them and tell them how a king will treat them.
10 Samuel told the people who were asking for a king what the Lord had said: