⁵ Then Samuel^(A) said, “Assemble all Israel at Mizpah,^(B) and I will intercede^(C) with the Lord for you.” ⁶ When they had assembled at Mizpah,^(D) they drew water and poured^(E) it out before the Lord. On that day they fasted and there they confessed, “We have sinned against the Lord.” Now Samuel was serving as leader^[a](F) of Israel at Mizpah.

⁷ When the Philistines heard that Israel had assembled at Mizpah, the rulers of the Philistines came up to attack them. When the Israelites heard of it, they were afraid^(G) because of the Philistines. ⁸ They said to Samuel, “Do not stop crying^(H) out to the Lord our God for us, that he may rescue us from the hand of the Philistines.”

⁶ But when they said, “Give us a king^(A) to lead us,” this displeased^(B) Samuel; so he prayed to the Lord.

¹⁷ Is it not wheat harvest^(A) now? I will call^(B) on the Lord to send thunder^(C) and rain.^(D) And you will realize what an evil^(E) thing you did in the eyes of the Lord when you asked for a king.”

¹⁹ The people all said to Samuel, “Pray^(A) to the Lord your God for your servants so that we will not die,^(B) for we have added to all our other sins the evil of asking for a king.”