But the thingwas displeasingin the sightof Samuelwhenthey said,"Giveus a kingto judgeus." And Samuelprayedto the LORD.
In returnfor my lovethey actas my accusers;But I am [in] prayer.
Then Mosessaidto Aaron,"Whatdid thispeopledoto you, that you have brought[such] greatsinupon them?"
"But now,ifYou will, forgivetheir sin--and ifnot, pleaseblotme out from Your bookwhichYou have written!"
Wherenowis your kingThat he may saveyou in allyour cities,And your judgesof whomyou requested,"Giveme a kingand princes"?
Then Mosesbecameveryangryand saidto the LORD,"Do not regardtheir offering!I have not takena singledonkeyfrom them, norhave I doneharmto anyof them."
But they fellon their facesand said,"O God,Godof the spiritsof allflesh,when onemansins,will You be angrywith the entirecongregation?"
Mosessaidto Aaron,"Takeyour censerand putin it firefrom the altar,and layincense[on it]; then bringit quicklyto the congregationand makeatonementfor them, for wrathhas goneforthfrom the LORD,the plaguehas begun!"
Be anxiousfor nothing,but in everythingby prayerand supplicationwith thanksgivinglet your requestsbe made knownto God.
But ifanyof you lackswisdom,let him askof God,who givesto allgenerouslyand withoutreproach,and it will be givento him.
"But you have todayrejectedyour God,whodeliversyou from allyour calamitiesand your distresses;yet you have said,'No,but seta kingoverus!' Nowtherefore, presentyourselves beforethe LORDby your tribesand by your clans."
"When you sawthat Nahashthe kingof the sonsof Ammoncameagainstyou, you saidto me, 'No,but a kingshall reignoverus,' although the LORDyour God[was] your king.
"Is it not the wheatharvesttoday?I will callto the LORD,that He may sendthunderand rain.Then you will knowand seethat your wickednessis greatwhichyou have donein the sightof the LORDby askingfor yourselves a king."
Then allthe peoplesaidto Samuel,"Prayfor your servantsto the LORDyour God,so that we may not die,for we have addedto allour sins[this] evilby askingfor ourselves a king."
"Moreover,as for me, farbe it from me that I should sinagainst the LORDby ceasingto prayfor you; but I will instructyou in the goodand rightway.
"I regretthat I have madeSaulking,for he has turnedbackfrom followingMe and has not carriedout My commands."And Samuelwas distressedand criedout to the LORDallnight.
Then Samuelsaid,"GatherallIsraelto Mizpahand I will prayto the LORDfor you."
