« | 1 Samuel 8 | » |
1 When Samuel was old, he appointed his sons to be judges for Israel.
2 Samuel's first son was named Joel. His second son was named Abijah. Joel and Abijah were judges in Beersheba.
3 But Samuel's sons did not live the same way he did. Joel and Abijah accepted bribes. They took money secretly and changed their decisions in court. They cheated people in court.
4 So all the elders (leaders) of Israel met together and went to Ramah to meet with Samuel.
5 The elders said to Samuel, "You're old, and your sons don't live right. They are not like you. Now, give us a king to rule us like all the other nations."
6 So the elders asked for a king to lead them. Samuel thought this was a bad idea, so he prayed to the Lord.
7 The Lord told Samuel, "Do what the people tell you. They have not rejected you. They have rejected me. They don't want me to be their king.
8 They are doing the same thing they have always done. I took them out of Egypt, but they left me and served other gods. They are doing the same to you.
9 So listen to the people and do what they say. But give them a warning. Tell the people what a king will do to them. Tell them how a king rules people."
10 Those people asked for a king. So Samuel told them everything the Lord said.
11 Samuel said, "If you have a king ruling over you, this is what he will do: He will take away your sons and force them to serve him. He will force them to be soldiers— they must fight from his chariots and become horse soldiers in his army. Your sons will become guards running in front of the king's chariot.
12 "A king will force your sons to become soldiers. He will choose which of your sons will be officers over 1000 men and which will be officers over 50 men. "A king will force some of your sons to plow his fields and gather his harvest. He will force some of your sons to make weapons for war and to make things for his chariots.
13 "A king will take your daughters and force some of them to make perfume for him and some to cook and bake for him.
14 "A king will take your best fields, vineyards, and olive groves. He will take them from you and give them to his officers.
15 He will take one-tenth of your grain and grapes, and he will give them to his officers and servants.
16 "A king will take your men and women servants. He will take your best cattle and your donkeys. He will use them all for his own work.
17 He will take one-tenth of your flocks. "And you yourselves will become slaves of this king.
18 When that time comes, you will cry because of the king you chose. But the Lord won't answer you at that time."
19 But the people would not listen to Samuel. They said, "No, we want a king to rule over us.
20 Then we will be the same as all the other nations. Our king will lead us. He will go before us and fight our battles."
21 Samuel listened to the people and then repeated their words to the Lord.
22 The Lord answered, "Listen to them and give them a king." Then Samuel told the Israelites, "You will have a king. Now go home."
The Easy-To-Read Version (ERV)
The Easy-To-Read Version (ERV) is a Bible translation specifically designed to be accessible and comprehensible for people with limited reading skills or those for whom English is a second language. Originally published in 1987 by the World Bible Translation Center, the ERV was initially developed to serve the deaf community, using a simplified vocabulary and straightforward sentence structures. The goal of the ERV is to make the scriptures understandable to a wide range of readers, ensuring that everyone can grasp the essential messages of the Bible without being hindered by complex language or archaic terms.
One of the defining characteristics of the ERV is its commitment to clarity and simplicity. The translators employed a thought-for-thought translation philosophy, focusing on conveying the meaning of the original texts in plain, everyday English. This approach ensures that readers can easily comprehend the Bible’s teachings and narratives, making it a valuable resource for children, new Christians, and those with limited literacy skills. The ERV avoids technical theological terms and instead uses language that is commonly spoken, making it accessible for personal study and public reading alike.
The ERV also pays careful attention to the cultural and contextual nuances of the original manuscripts. The translators sought to present the Bible’s messages in a way that is relevant and meaningful to contemporary readers while maintaining faithfulness to the original texts. This cultural sensitivity helps bridge the gap between ancient scriptures and modern readers, allowing them to connect more deeply with the biblical stories and teachings. Additionally, the ERV includes helpful footnotes and cross-references that provide further explanation and context, enhancing the reader’s understanding of the text.
Despite its strengths, the ERV has faced some criticism from those who prefer more traditional or literal translations. Critics argue that the simplified language and thought-for-thought approach can sometimes result in a loss of depth and richness found in the original texts. Some theologians believe that the ERV’s emphasis on accessibility may lead to oversimplification of complex theological concepts. Nonetheless, the Easy-To-Read Version remains a highly valuable translation for its target audience, offering a clear and approachable rendition of the Bible that helps people of all backgrounds engage with and understand the scriptures.