1 Samuel 8:19-21

New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised Catholic Edition

Israel’s Request for a King Granted

¹⁹ But the people refused to listen to the voice of Samuel; they said, ‘No! but we are determined to have a king over us, ²⁰ so that we also may be like other nations, and that our king may govern us and go out before us and fight our battles.’ ²¹ When Samuel had heard all the words of the people, he repeated them in the ears of the Lord.