Read the Modern Pastor’s Version

Here is the rewritten chapter in a unified, flowing modern English text:

I've listened carefully to everything you've said to me, Israel. I've taken it all into consideration and made a king over you. Now you can see him standing before you, just as he has been since my youth until this day.

I'm here to stand up for the Lord and his chosen one. Has anyone ever had their ox or donkey taken from them? Or have I ever defrauded or oppressed anyone? Have I ever accepted a bribe to ignore justice? If so, I promise to make it right and restore what was taken.

You've never accused me of taking anything from you or treating you unfairly. The Lord himself is witness to this, as is his chosen one, who stands here today and confirms that nothing has been found in my hands.

The Lord is the same God who raised up Moses and Aaron, and led your ancestors out of Egypt. He's the one who brought them into a land filled with milk and honey, where they could live safely. But when your ancestors forgot about the Lord their God, he allowed them to be sold into slavery – first to Sisera, the commander of Hazor's army, then to the Philistines and the king of Moab.

When you cried out for help, the Lord sent leaders to deliver you: Jerubbaal, Bedan, Jephthah, and me. He helped you overcome every enemy that threatened you, and you lived in peace. But when Nahash, king of the Ammonites, came against you, you asked for a human king to rule over you – even though the Lord your God was already your King.

Now look at the king you've chosen and desired! He's been placed over you by the Lord himself. If you'll only fear the Lord, serve him with all your heart, and obey his voice without rebelling against his commands, both you and this king will follow the Lord your God.

But if you refuse to listen to the Lord and rebel against his instructions, then his hand of judgment will be against you – just as it was against your ancestors. So stand up and see what an amazing thing the Lord is about to do in front of your very eyes!

It's wheat harvest today, and I'm going to call on the Lord to send thunder and rain. And that's exactly what he'll do! When Samuel called out to the Lord, the heavens responded with a mighty storm – and all the people feared the Lord deeply.

They asked me to pray to the Lord for them. "Fear not," I told them. "You've done wrong, but don't turn away from following the Lord. Instead, serve him with all your heart."

Don't stray from the right path! You'll be chasing after empty things that won't bring you any benefit or deliverance. They're nothing but worthless idols.

The Lord won't abandon his people for the sake of his great name. He chose them to be his own, and he's not about to give up on them now. I promise to keep praying for you and teaching you the right way – so that I don't sin against the Lord.

Just fear the Lord and serve him with all your heart, remembering how much he's done for you. But if you continue down a path of wickedness, both you and your king will be destroyed.